Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a widespread sexual health condition affecting approximately 30 to 40 million men in the United States alone.
If you have been diagnosed with ED, you may be having a hard time producing or maintaining an erection, if at all – one hard and long-lasting enough to have satisfying, pleasurable sexual activity.
ED varies in severity – some men with mild to moderate ED may be able to produce an erection with ease but can’t keep it going for as long as they used to or wish they could. Some might be able to produce an erection less often, but not with the same spontaneity as they wish. On the other hand, men with severe ED might not be able to produce an erection at all despite sexual stimulation and arousal.
While ED is more prevalent in middle-aged to elderly member men, more and more men below the age are developing it. ED doesn’t pick its victims – it affects men across all demographics and ages.
What causes ED?
ED occurs when one or more physical, psychological, or lifestyle factors affect your sexual arousal, nerve function, or circulatory function that supplies the penis with the blood it needs to produce an erection.
Often, ED is caused by physical conditions affecting blood circulation or nerve function, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Clogging in the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Peyronie’s disease
- Chronic renal disease
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
Injuries affecting the penis, spine, prostate, and pelvic region may result in or worsen ED.
And despite what you might have heard about aging contributing directly to ED, it’s actually the ED-causing physical health issues that become more common with aging that does.
Moreover, certain medications, psychological factors, and lifestyle habits can add to or exacerbate ED.
For instance, certain antihypertensive drugs are known to cause ED as a side effect, just as stress, anxiety, depression, and certain habits could cause ED as a knock-on effect. Appetite suppressants and drugs that reduce testosterone levels can also produce the same effect.
Alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use and lack of regular exercise also cause ED.
What STDs can cause ED?
That said, do sexually transmitted diseases cause ED? Some STDs can, but not all do.
Most STDs don’t seem to have a direct effect on the ability to produce an erection. However, some can. Certain STDs can affect or worsen existing health issues that can lead to ED.
For instance, certain STDs can cause an inflammation of the prostate known as prostatitis. If your prostatitis worsens in severity, it could make it harder for you to keep an erection sufficiently hard enough to enjoy sexual intercourse.
Prostate inflammation could also lead to urinary and sexual dysfunctions, such as pain when ejaculating or urinating – both of which can do a number on your sexual function and quality of life.
Does gonorrhea cause ED?
Gonorrhea, in some cases, can cause ED. Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through sexual contact as one of several STDs caused by bacteria that could spread to your prostate and lead to ED symptoms.
Gonorrhea symptoms include:
- A viscous yellow or green secretion from the penis
- Burning pain and discomfort when urinating
- Swollen, painful testicles
If you start experiencing any of the aforementioned gonorrhea symptoms, your healthcare provider might put you on antibiotics that treat the condition.
Does chlamydia cause ED?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the eponymous bacteria C. trachomatis.
While not all people who contract chlamydia develop symptoms, those that are symptomatic may experience inflammation or pain affecting the testicles, a sharp and painful sensation when urinating, and/or excretion from the penis or rectum.
And since chlamydia is an infection that can spread to the prostate, it can cause prostatitis that may cause, contribute, or worsen ED.
Fortunately, chlamydia infections are treatable with antibiotics, just as gonorrhea is. Consult your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect you might be exhibiting chlamydia symptoms after engaging in sexual activity.
Are there other STDs that cause ED?
Certain STDs may negatively affect your libido, performance, and sexual health. However, the link between STDs and erectile function hasn’t been studied in more granular detail.
Apart from affecting your prostate, some STDs can cause MAGIs (male accessory gland infections). MAGIs can cause inflammation in the male reproductive system, such as damage to the urethra, testes, and seminal vesicles – all of which are critical to optimal sexual function and fertility. This is why you should seek immediate medical attention as soon as you experience noticeable STD symptoms.
Moreover, certain STDs can lead to developing serious long-term health issues that lead to chronic sexual dysfunction.
For instance, viral hepatitis (such as hepatitis C) is linked to an increased prostate cancer risk, among other types of cancer. While prostate cancer isn’t linked to ED, the treatments associated with it, such as surgery or radiation therapy, can worsen erectile dysfunction.
STDs such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can cause your immune system to go haywire and prevent it from functioning as it should, which could lead to a person with HIV developing secondary infections affecting penile tissue or tissue around the pelvic region that may cause ED.
While there’s limited evidence that syphilis or HPV (human papillomavirus) affects erections, one study found that HSV (herpes simplex virus) was linked to an increased chance of developing erectile dysfunction.
And while some STDs don’t actually cause ED, having them may be bothersome to your mental health, including your confidence levels between the sheets. Researchers discovered that STDs can cause psychological harm to male sexual function, leading to self-esteem issues that could bleed into the bedroom in the form of decreased libido or avoiding sexual encounters altogether.
In essence, even if an STD might not directly lead to the manifestation of physical ED symptoms, it could cause psychological effects that do.
How do I treat ED?
We totally understand – catching an STD can be a harrowing and exasperating experience for men, especially when it leads to ED.
Fortunately, almost all sexually transmitted diseases and erectile dysfunction can be treated or managed with a combination of medicine and lifestyle changes. Here’s what you can do if you have an STD you suspect is causing you to develop ED symptoms.
What should you do if you have an STD?
STDs can severely affect your well-being the longer they go untreated. Some can lead to total infertility not just for you, but also for your partner. Don’t leave treating an STD too late – inaction on your part might have you transmit it to others.
Therefore, if you think you’re exhibiting symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, treat it first before you even think of getting treatment for ED.
Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have an STD as soon as possible. Many STDs can be detected with testing, allowing you and your healthcare provider to conclusively determine whether there’s something awry going on with your sexual health and what is causing it. The sooner you’re able to confirm the existence of an STD (or lack thereof), the sooner you can get it treated. Once you complete your treatment, you can fully focus on getting your ED issues sorted out afterward.
It goes without saying that you should consider getting regular STD testing if you’re sexually active or if you have multiple partners.
What medicines are used to treat ED?
That said, if you find yourself running into erection difficulties after clearing STD treatment, you might want to consult your healthcare provider about taking a prescription ED drug to regain your erectile function and get your performance levels back up to speed.
Prescription ED medicines like sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®), and avanafil (Stendra®) belong to a family of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors that work by enhancing blood flow to the penis. Increased blood circulation in the genital region is what makes it easier for men with ED to achieve and maintain a firm erection long enough for vigorous, satisfying sex. Moreover, their fast-acting nature (within 15 to 60 minutes of taking it) makes them a safe, effective, and convenient treatment for ED with a high success rate.
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
What else can I do to improve my erections?
Simple lifestyle changes can help you improve your erections without even having to take ED medication. Since ED is largely a problem caused by poor circulatory health, habits that help boost blood circulation can lead to better erection quality, more frequent erections, and improved heart health.
These lifestyle changes include:
- Performing regular exercise or physical activity
- Keeping a healthy body weight
- Eating a balanced diet rich in lean protein, fresh fruit, and vegetables while avoiding high-sodium and high-fat foods
- Controlling your high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Effectively managing diabetes and hypertension
- Reducing or avoiding alcohol intake
- Refraining from recreational drug use that may affect libido and sexual function
- Quitting smoking
The final word on treating ED
STDs can lead to devastating far-ranging consequences on your overall health. In certain cases, they can interfere with your ability to produce and keep an erection.
If you suspect that you might have chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, or any other sexually transmitted disease, seeing a licensed healthcare professional or specialist is of paramount importance. They will help you determine what’s causing your symptoms and detect any STDs through tests, and prescribe the right medication to help you overcome the infection that’s keeping you from enjoying healthy, satisfying sex life.
Apart from getting regularly tested for STDs if you’re sexually active, it’s just as important to inform your sexual partners about your health concerns, especially if you have been diagnosed with an STD that can cause chronic sexual or overall health issues.
If your ED symptoms persist after having successfully treated your STD, consult your doctor about taking prescription medication to treat your erection problems.
