The Lowdown on Stomach Problems and Erectile Dysfunction (ED): What You Need To Know

Dealing with a balky digestive tract is an enjoyable experience – said no one ever.

Whether you’ve been dealing with a slight tummy ache from last night’s bad takeout or struggling with persistent and unpleasant abdominal pain, health issues related to your gut can be an irritating nuisance or a frustrating daily ordeal.

And, if you’re reading this article, you’ve likely noticed that it’s a bit harder to get “in the mood” for some hot loving and produce and keep an erection when you’re dealing with digestive health issues. 

That said, do stomach health problems cause erectile dysfunction (ED)? Let’s find out.

 

Can Stomach Problems Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

 

ED is a common condition where you might find it hard to, you know, “get hard” long enough to enjoy passionate, mind-blowing sex. Erectile dysfunction cuts across all age groups and demographics and could be an occasional buzzkill or a chronic, persistent issue.

ED is caused by a myriad of factors ranging from physical ones to psychological ones. They can also be caused by diseases and by taking certain medicines that have ED as a known side effect, such as blood pressure medications. 

Lifestyle factors such as alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drug use and lack of regular exercise can also lead to erection difficulties down the road.

 

But do stomach health issues play any sort of role in causing ED? 

As it stands, there’s not much research examining any potential relation between digestive health and erectile dysfunction.

By and large, your stomach and the digestive system won’t have anything to do with the erection process. However, little scientific research on the topic seems to support the claim that some diseases affecting the digestive tract may be linked to ED and other sexual dysfunctions.`

For instance, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition involving gastrointestinal inflammation and damage to the digestive system, was linked to a low sex drive and ED.

 

 

A study conducted on men recently diagnosed with IBD found that 94% of the subjects ran into some form of ED. Moreover, the researchers discovered that ED was correlated with age and diminished overall physical and mental health.

Although IBD seems to be closely related to ED, researchers didn’t find any evidence of a direct link associated with stomach health problems and erectile dysfunction. Granted, while both factors are linked, researchers have not found conclusive stomach health or digestive tract factors that can be said to lead to issues with erectile function directly.

 

Speculation is going around that the link between both factors can be caused by performance anxiety, stress, and depression, all of which are psychological issues. The latter is common in people struggling with IBD, especially when their illness is ongoing and manifests symptoms.

It’s also difficult to get “in the zone” when you’re dealing with the pain and discomfort arising from irritable bowel syndrome. After all, how can you think of performing well enough to satisfy your partner at sex when there’s always that lingering need to go to the bathroom every so often? As a result, it’s for your sex drive to diminish when you’re dealing with the full-on symptoms of IBD.

 

What other causes of ED are there?

 

Apart from digestive issues like irritable bowel disease, much other health and psychological conditions can cause or worsen ED.

Since erections are primarily a matter of healthy blood circulation and nerve function, physical health issues that interfere with these factors can lead to problems with producing and keeping erections. 

Some of the most common causes of ED arising from physical health issues are:

 

• Hypertension 
• Heart disease
• Circulatory health issues
• Autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Injuries around the genital, bladder, spinal, and/or pelvic region
• Prostate cancer treatments
• Low testosterone levels
• Nerve damage

 

Certain prescription medicines, such as those used to treat the aforementioned medical conditions, may increase your risk of developing ED.

For instance, it is known that some antidepressants, antihypertensives, antihistamines, and sleep medications can cause ED, among others.

These medications may also cause stomach health issues as a side effect. For instance, medicines used to treat depression and anxiety disorders have been linked to gastrointestinal health issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

It’s difficult to determine whether these side effects come from the medicine or whether the gastrointestinal symptoms and ED are linked when these side effects affect you simultaneously.

Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by psychological health factors such as the following:

 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Fears about poor sexual performance 
• Stress

 

Lastly, lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol, recreational drug use, and prescription drug abuse can take a toll on your overall health as well as your sexual function – including your ability to produce and maintain erections.

 

How do I treat ED?

 

Erectile dysfunction isn’t always the easiest condition to handle – and sometimes, it’s embarrassing to even have to admit to having it. Here’s some good news, though: there are more ways to treat ED than you can shake a stick at, and it’s a perfectly treatable or manageable condition in most cases.

Treatment options include prescription ED medicines such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and its related drugs avanafil (Stendra) and vardenafil (Levitra), which belong to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. These have been proven to be safe and effective treatments with high success rates across the board. And sometimes, making some adjustments to your lifestyle and habits can be enough to treat ED. 

 

Should I get treatment for my digestive health issues first?

 

Yes, absolutely. If you’re dealing with stomach health issues concurrent with your ED, it’s advisable to start with your digestive health.

Like erectile dysfunction, digestive disorders can be treated using medicines or by making lifestyle changes, particularly your eating habits. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the best approach to treating your gastrointestinal symptoms.

It’s true that treating your digestive health problems doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will be rid of your ED – but it can definitely go a long way in improving your quality of life and lowering the severity of psychological factors like low self-esteem and performance anxiety.

 

Should I get checkups for other potential underlying health issues?

 

Treating any underlying health conditions may help you regain your erectile function and improve your sexual health, especially when your ED is caused by physical issues.

Getting regular checkups and screenings based on your age will help you and your doctor detect any potential ED-causing health concerns such as low testosterone or high blood pressure.

Many of the issues that cause or worsen ED are easier to treat when they’re detected earlier, allowing you to benefit from improved physical, sexual, and mental health.

 

Should I use erectile dysfunction drugs?

 

As mentioned earlier, one of the tried-and-tested ways to treat ED is by using PDE5 inhibitor ED drugs such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil, more commonly known under their branded equivalents Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra, respectively.

They help you regain erectile function by enhancing blood flow to the penis, allowing you to achieve and keep an erection whenever you’re in a state of sexual arousal. Since they are typically taken between 15 minutes to an hour prior to sexual activity, they are convenient, reliable first-line options for treating ED symptoms and boosting your sexual performance.

 

 

What changes can I make to my lifestyle and daily habits?

 

Replacing certain aspects of your lifestyle and daily habits can lead to an overall improvement in your health and erectile function. You can employ the following changes in conjunction on their own or by integrating them with your ED medication regimen:

 

• Engaging in regular physical activity. Physical activity boosts blood flow throughout the body – and that includes your penis. Even just 20 minutes of light to moderate physical activity a day can go a long way in helping you regain your erectile function. It can be as simple as taking a nice, leisurely stroll or doing light aerobic work. Just remember to be consistent.
• Keep a healthy weight. It’s a known fact that being overweight or obese can cause or exacerbate ED. Men who are overweight are at a substantially higher risk of developing ED than men within a healthier weight range. While you don’t have to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger or be as fit as Cristiano Ronaldo, setting reasonable and achievable weight goals can greatly enhance your sexual function and reduce ED symptoms.
• Quit smoking and lay off the alcohol. Smoking causes cardiovascular disease, while alcohol is a proven erection-killer. Limiting or curtailing your consumption of both can do wonders for your cardiovascular health, which consequently improves erectile function.
• Refrain from recreational drug use. Recreational drugs can diminish sexual function just as alcohol and tobacco use do. Seek professional help if you have problems controlling your use of recreational substances. 

 

These suggestions are simple, effective, and natural ways to reduce your ED and enhance your sexual health without even having to resort to drastic measures. They can help reduce the severity of your ED symptoms and improve your sexual health immensely.

 

The final word on stomach problems and erectile dysfunction

 

Gastrointestinal problems may be a risk factor for ED, although more studies on the subject need to be conducted to prove a link between both. 

Additionally, medicines that can cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as antidepressants, can possibly interfere with your erectile function and lead to issues with your sexual performance.

If you suspect that digestive and gastrointestinal health issues are to blame for your ED, consult a licensed healthcare professional. They will be able to help determine whether any of your digestive health issues are diminishing your erectile function and sexual health.