What causes erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is a health issue in which you’re unable to get or maintain an erection during intercourse.
This condition is known to affect up to 30 million men in the United States. Different factors may cause you to develop an erectile disorder.
Let’s take a look at the common causes of erectile dysfunction.
1. Smoking Is a Common Cause
Cigarette smoking is known to be a common cause of erectile dysfunction. Excessive smoking can increase the risk of blood vessel damage. ED occurs from a lack of arterial blood flow to the penis.
Harmful chemicals from your cigarettes may cause severe damage to your blood vessels. You will have an erectile disorder if your blood vessels are not functioning properly due to your smoking.
These chemicals in cigarettes may also cause significant damage to other areas of your body.
If you’re a habitual smoker, you need to quit smoking to manage your ED symptoms. You can also treat your condition by getting help from a health specialist.
2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Are you addicted to alcohol? Excessive alcohol consumption can cause you to develop ED. Your chronic alcohol drinking could be causing major interference with your sex life.
Alcohol affects your penis health by decreasing its blood flow. Drinking alcohol can cause you to develop long-term or short-term erectile disorder.
Treatment from an alcohol rehab center may help you to overcome your addiction to alcohol.
3. Stress Is an Issue
Stress and anxiety can affect your sexual performance. When your brain experiences unhealthy levels of stress, your body releases the hormone known as cortisol.
Cortisol can restrict the blood vessels in your penis. With improper blood flow to your penis, you might be unable to get an erection.
If you’re struggling with high levels of chronic stress, your body will naturally release excessive levels of cortisol. This problem can also affect the amount of testosterone your body produces.
A visit to the doctor is the best way for you to treat your stress and anxiety problem. Your healthcare professional can provide you with different methods of treatment to alleviate your stress.
They might suggest aromatherapy, meditation, relaxation exercises, and talk therapy.
4. Heavy Drug Use
The different types of drugs you use can have a negative effect throughout your body. Some of these negative effects can increase your risk of an erectile disorder.
Your drug abuse may consist of prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs. Other types of drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can also increase your risk of ED by harming your blood vessels.
An injury to your blood vessels results in a restriction of blood flow to your penis.
You might need to speak with your physician to learn if the drugs you’re taking are the cause of your sexual dysfunction. Your doctor might advise you to change your drug use or provide you with a different form of treatment.
5. High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can develop into all types of health conditions. One of these is an erectile disorder.
The higher your cholesterol, the more you increase your risk of developing erection issues. High cholesterol can form into arterial plaque that can damage and block the circulation of blood in your body, including your penis.
Your high cholesterol can even interfere with the production of chemicals that help to create an erection.
If you have high cholesterol, you can focus on taking common forms of medication to lower your cholesterol.
6. Obesity
Sexual dysfunction is a common side-effect that occurs from obesity. If you have weight issues, you need to think about losing weight to control your ED symptoms.
Your obesity has the potential to cause sexual dysfunction by damaging blood vessels, decreasing your testosterone levels, and increasing inflammation in your body.
To improve your sexual dysfunction and obesity, you need to make lifestyle changes. This may consist of eating healthy, nutritious foods, dieting, engaging in exercise programs, and other activities.
7. Diabetes
Your blood sugar imbalance may prevent you from achieving erections. Too much sugar harms your sex drive and makes it more difficult for you to sustain an erection.
If you have diabetes, you need to incorporate a healthy diet that consists of protein, green vegetables, and healthy fats. You should also avoid unhealthy, sugary foods that interfere with your health.
8. Kidney Problems
Kidney disease can prevent you from enjoying sexual intercourse. Men with sexual dysfunction are known to have chronic kidney disease.
Like other health problems, kidney disease affects your blood circulation as well as your hormone and energy levels.
Follow the right medications and try to stick to the healthy diet your doctor recommends. You can also follow an exercise program that helps to increase your strength and endurance.
9. Penis Injury
Certain injuries to your penis can interfere with your ability to get or keep an erection.
You can get a penis injury from a car accident, machine accident, playing sports, and other circumstances. If your erections are not firm enough to have sex, you may need to seek medical attention to treat your penis injury.
10. Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorders can lead to erectile issues. Sleep disorders can also have a terrible effect on your testosterone and oxygen levels.
If you’re dealing with a sleep disorder, you may need to see your doctor to learn about taking sleeping pills. Your doctor might also recommend cognitive behavioral therapy to improve your sleep disorder.
Get Help for Your Erectile Dysfunction
An underlying health issue can cause you to develop erectile dysfunction. Speaking with a health professional is the best way for you to have better control of your ED symptoms.
With the right treatment, you have the chance to have better control of your intimate life.
If you need testosterone therapy, you can contact us for more information.
