Erectile dysfunction: the main related health conditions

• More than half of men will develop erectile dysfunction, and those living with diabetes are three times more likely to do so.
• Up to 30% of men with high blood pressure reported erectile dysfunction.

Santo Domingo: – Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not only the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse; there is often no clear reason why it happens, making it a man’s worst nightmare.

Dr. David Samadi, director of the Samadi-Homs-Robotic Institute at Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), explains that ageing can increase the risk of ED, and even certain medications and the use of recreational drugs are other potential sources of impotence.

“When a man experiences ED for the first time, it is a moment of humiliation and devastation for a man who takes pride in his sexual performance.” So if the condition continues or gets worse, the patient needs the help of a trained professional, says the urologic oncologist.

The benefits of seeking specialist medical help include, first, the chance to improve the condition thanks to the treatments available, even resolving it in many cases, and second, being able to find out why ED is happening in good time, explains Samadi, who is also the author of the book Hablemos de Hombre.

He also explains that an erection is a complex process involving many parts of the body, such as the brain, hormones, nerves, muscles and blood circulation. Anything that interferes with this process can lead to ED, including underlying health conditions.

The board-certified expert and robotic surgeon in New York City, considered one of the leading prostate surgeons in the United States, with extensive experience in treating prostate cancer, stresses that seeing a urologist, a doctor specially trained in male reproductive and sexual health, will always be a smart decision for men.

Thanks to their expertise, urologists can check for other important diseases or health conditions that can lead to erectile dysfunction:

Diabetes

One of the most common yet often overlooked medical problems in men with diabetes is erectile dysfunction. More than half of men will develop ED, and those living with diabetes are three times more likely to have it than men without diabetes.

Why are ED and diabetes intertwined?

Uncontrolled high blood sugar or higher-than-normal blood sugar levels in men often damage blood vessels throughout the body. Excess sugar circulating in the bloodstream can cause significant damage, making the inner walls of blood vessels rougher, which increases the likelihood of plaque forming, and this can cause the arteries to harden and narrow, blocking blood flow to the penis and causing ED.

Years of uncontrolled diabetes also affect the nervous system. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can result in nerve dysfunction in the shaft of the penis, eventually causing the muscles to atrophy, which makes it difficult to achieve an erection.

The later a man is diagnosed with diabetes, the greater his risk of developing ED. Any man who has problems with ED should be tested for diabetes, and if he has been diagnosed with the disease, he should be checked regularly and referred to a dietitian to manage it.

Heart disease and high blood pressure

Heart disease is linked to atherosclerosis, a condition that causes fat to build up in the body’s arteries. Plaque build-up narrows the arteries and slows blood flow, including the flow of blood to the penis.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is another symptom of heart disease. Up to 30 per cent of men with hypertension reported erectile dysfunction. Men who experience ED should be assessed for heart disease. Once assessed and diagnosed with heart disease or hypertension, they can work with their doctor to develop a plan and make beneficial lifestyle changes.

Osteoporosis

Most men with ED will not assume the cause is osteoporosis. However, this brittle bone disease, common among older women, also affects men.

What causes it? A lower level of naturally available free testosterone found in men with ED. Free testosterone , or “unbound” testosterone, floats on its own in the blood and makes up a small fraction of total testosterone, around 1 to 2 per cent. Testosterone is an androgen, and androgens play a key role in regulating bone formation. Studies have shown that men with low testosterone levels have a higher risk of fractures.

Inflammation is also a possible culprit in ED. Various inflammatory cytokines, signalling proteins involved in the immune system, can damage the endothelium lining the inner walls of various cavities and organs of the body, such as the penis, leading to ED. These same cytokines can hinder the growth of the cells that form new bone, increasing a man’s risk of osteoporosis.

Men with ED should be considered at higher risk of osteoporosis. Their doctor should order a bone mineral density test to assess their risk.

Vitamin D deficiency

Inadequate levels of this “sunshine vitamin” in men have been found to result in a higher prevalence of ED. Compared with those with optimal vitamin D levels, men who reported ED had a 30% higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, while men with severe ED (never having an erection) had an 80% higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. For every 10 ng/ml decrease in the active form of vitamin D, there was a 12 per cent increase in the prevalence of ED.

It is advisable to get a screening test for vitamin D deficiency. This is easily done with a simple blood test. If levels are low, treatment with vitamin D supplements and more exposure to sunlight can bring them back up.

For a free phone consultation with Dr. David Samadi, call 809-399-0569 at the Samadi-Homs-Robotic Institute. You can also find educational content at saludmasculina.do