Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem that affects men of all ages. The inability to get or keep an erection can be distressing for you and your partner, and it may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure.
Often ED is a short-term problem that’s not caused by anything serious. But it can also be an early symptom of heart disease, which is a leading cause of death in the United States. If you have erectile dysfunction, it’s important to see your doctor right away.
Cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular health is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by cardiovascular disease, which means that blood flow to the penis is reduced. This can cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems. In fact, erectile dysfunction is often an early sign of cardiovascular disease.
Erectile dysfunction is also linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and smoking. If you have any of these conditions or habits, it’s important to get them under control as soon as possible.
Cardiovascular health is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by cardiovascular disease, which means that blood flow to the penis is reduced. This can cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems. In fact, erectile dysfunction is often an early sign of cardiovascular disease.
Erectile dysfunction is also linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and smoking. If you have any of these conditions or habits, it’s important to get them under control as soon as possible.
Vascular surgery
Vascular surgery can cause erectile dysfunction because it changes the way blood flows through your body. For example, if you have a heart bypass or valve replacement surgery, you’ll have to take blood thinners for the rest of your life. These medications can cause erectile dysfunction by making your blood not flow as easily as it should through the arteries in your penis.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about how to manage any side effects you may have from taking these medications or if there are other options that might work better for you.
This type of surgery is common among men over 40 years old, so if you’re having trouble getting an erection, talk to your doctor about whether this is something that could be contributing.
Age
Age is one of the biggest risk factors for erectile dysfunction. As men get older, they are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. This is partly because of increased levels of testosterone in their bodies, which can lead to an increase in blood flow to the penis and an improvement in sexual function.
In addition, as men age, they are more likely to develop other health conditions that can contribute to erectile dysfunction. These include diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They may also have a reduced interest in sex or have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection.
High cholesterol
High cholesterol is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. If you have high levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood, you’re more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. And if you have high triglyceride levels, that can also increase your risk of erectile dysfunction.
If you already have heart disease or diabetes, these diagnoses alone can make you more prone to erectile dysfunction. But high cholesterol and other lipid disorders also increase the risk that these conditions will develop.
It’s important to remember that high cholesterol is not the only risk factor for erectile dysfunction; other factors include diabetes and heart disease, smoking, hypertension, age and even low testosterone levels.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction occurs when the blood vessels that supply the penis with blood become narrowed or blocked. This can result in decreased blood flow to the penis, which can cause erectile problems.
Blood pressure is measured by two numbers: systolic (the maximum force of your heartbeat) over diastolic (the minimum force of your heartbeat). If you have high blood pressure, it means your heart is working harder than it should be to pump blood throughout your body. High blood pressure can be caused by genetics and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise, but there are also many medications that can increase blood pressure levels.
Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The reason? Smoking damages the blood vessels in your body, including those that supply blood to your penis.
In fact, smoking has been linked to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This can cause a reduction in blood flow to the penis, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. The good news: if you quit smoking before age 40, you can reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction by half—and even eliminate it entirely if you stop early enough.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). In fact, studies have shown that about half of all men with diabetes have some form of ED, and up to 30% report an inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for intercourse.
The reason why diabetes affects so many men’s ability to get an erection is that it can cause serious damage to nerve endings and blood vessels in the penis. In fact, diabetes is not a disease that affects only the blood vessels, but also the nerves and blood vessels in other parts of the body.
Diabetes affects everything from your heart and kidneys to your eyes and feet. It can cause serious damage to nerve endings and blood vessels in these parts of your body as well—which makes sense when you consider that diabetes affects everything from your heart and kidneys to your eyes and feet.
In addition to being one of the most common risk factors for ED, diabetes also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can lead to serious health problems like stroke or heart attack if left untreated.
Spinal cord or nerve injuries
This is the most common risk factor for erectile dysfunction. A spinal cord injury can result in either temporary or permanent erectile dysfunction, depending on where it occurred and how severe it was. A nerve injury can also cause problems with erection, but these are usually temporary, as well.
If you’ve been injured and are experiencing erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor about options for treatment!
Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
Alcoholism is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, along with other factors like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Alcohol consumption can lead to impotence by negatively affecting the blood vessels in the penis and causing damage to the nerve endings that control the flow of blood into the penis.
In addition, alcohol is known to increase levels of estrogen, which can lead to low testosterone and decreased sexual desire. If you think you might have erectile dysfunction due to alcohol consumption, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Other forms of substance abuse
When you’re addicted to a substance, your body can end up needing that specific substance in order to function. When you stop using the drug, your body will go through withdrawal and may not be able to produce enough testosterone without it. This can lead to erectile dysfunction, because the body won’t be producing enough testosterone on its own anymore.
This is because when you’re addicted, your brain adjusts its neurochemistry so that it needs the substance in order to function normally. When you stop taking it, your brain can no longer produce enough dopamine or other chemicals necessary for healthy sexual function without help from outside sources (like another addictive chemical).
Surgery or trauma
Surgery or trauma can have a negative impact on the penis and cause erectile dysfunction. This can happen because of nerve damage and/or scar tissue.
Nerve damage is a result of surgery, trauma, or injury to the area around your penis. The nerves that control blood flow to your penis are located near your groin area, so if they get injured during surgery or trauma, it could cause erectile dysfunction.
Scar tissue may also form after surgery or trauma, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Scar tissue forms when the body tries to repair damaged tissue; however, it can sometimes grow back in an unhealthy way, causing pain or restricting movement in that area.
Sedentary lifestyle
Research has shown that men who sit for long periods of time are twice as likely to develop erectile dysfunction than men who sit less.
A sedentary lifestyle is defined as a lifestyle that involves a low level of physical activity, such as sitting at a desk all day, or being on your feet but not moving around much. The more sedentary you are, the more likely you are to develop erectile dysfunction.
One of the most common causes of a sedentary lifestyle is spending too much time at work. Other factors include lack of exercise and not taking breaks from sitting throughout the day.
Obesity
Obesity is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. According to the American Urological Association, obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Obesity can affect both men and women, but it’s especially dangerous for men because it can lead to erectile dysfunction if left unchecked. In addition to being associated with erectile dysfunction, obesity is also associated with other health problems such as:
Depression
Depression is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The American Urological Association reports that the percentage of men with erectile dysfunction who also had depression was 70 percent, while only 20 percent of men without the disorder reported having depression.
It’s not clear why depression may be a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, but it’s possible that stress and anxiety can affect both conditions. If you have depression, talk to your doctor about ways to manage your symptoms so they don’t interfere with your ability to have sexual intercourse.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. A study of 1,000 men found that those who reported high levels of anxiety were twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction than those with low levels. The researchers also found that anxiety was linked to lower libido, less sexual satisfaction and a greater likelihood of having anorgasmia (inability to achieve orgasm).
Anxiety can cause physical changes in the body, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can affect your ability to get or maintain an erection. In addition, anxiety may cause you to avoid sex and other situations where there might be pressure on you to perform sexually. This avoidance can lead to further problems with sexual performance later on.
Stress
The term “stress” is often used to describe a wide range of mental and physical conditions, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. While stress can be a trigger for erectile dysfunction, it is important to note that not all men who suffer from erectile dysfunction have stress as one of their risk factors.
The link between stress and erectile dysfunction is indirect. Stress can cause changes in the body that lead to erectile dysfunction. For example, when you’re stressed out about something, your body produces more adrenaline and cortisol—two hormones that are known to interfere with sexual function. Adrenaline also affects blood pressure and heart rate which can make it difficult to get an erection when you’re stressed out.
Another way that stress may affect your ability to get an erection is by interfering with sleep patterns. When you’re under excessive amounts of stress, it can be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep which may lead to fatigue during the day which could make getting an erection difficult at times.
Certain Medications
Certain medications may cause erectile dysfunction. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can potentially cause impotence by lowering blood flow to the penis, including antihypertensives (high blood pressure medications), antidepressants and beta blockers. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines also may cause impotence by lowering blood flow to the penis.
Illness
Illness can impact your ability to have an erection. Certain illnesses and conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke, can affect your ability to get and keep an erection. There are medications that can help with erectile dysfunction caused by certain health conditions. If you have diabetes or are taking medication for a heart condition or high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether you should take medication for erectile dysfunction.
Conclusion
The risk factors for erectile dysfunction are complex, and they vary from person to person.
One of the things that makes it difficult to pinpoint a single cause is the fact that erectile dysfunction can have many different symptoms. Some people may experience trouble getting an erection, while others might be able to get one but not maintain it long enough for penetration. Still others may have trouble with their ability to orgasm during sex.
It’s also important to note that erectile dysfunction is not only a problem in men who are older or overweight—in fact, men under age 40 who have a normal weight can also experience this issue!
