Erectile dysfunction is caused by various issues ranging from physical and psychological illnesses and genetic and hereditary factors to side effects from prescription drugs.
One of the primary underlying medical causes of ED in men above 50 is atherosclerosis or the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to a buildup of plaque in its linings.
When the arteries and blood vessels that circulate blood through the penis cannot widen properly enough because of atherosclerosis, the penis cannot be engorged with blood, leading to ED symptoms.
Clearly, that’s a showstopper because a nice, firm, and long-lasting erection depends on your body’s ability to constantly and rapidly supply blood whenever you need it.
However, erections take more than just a healthy circulatory system.
The nervous and musculoskeletal systems are key facets of healthy erections since they react to your hormones and affect your emotional state.
Underlying medical conditions can cause pressure, stress, or anxiety, contributing to erection problems.
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Is there a link between ED and autoimmune diseases?
To make a long story short: yes, there is a connection between autoimmune disease and ED.
However, the longer answer is that there’s still plenty left to unpack as the science behind it is yet emerging.
Autoimmune diseases, as the name implies, involve the body’s immune system attacking its host’s cells, tissues, and organs, instead of defending against invaders or helping your body recover from illness or injury.
There are more than 100 known autoimmune diseases, many of which can be hard to detect and some whose origins remain unknown.
Now, here’s the interesting part: atherosclerosis, one of the primary culprits of ED, isn’t typically considered an autoimmune illness, but it shares some of the root causes of the latter.
Moreover, atherosclerosis may be caused by other diagnosable conditions such as heart disease, as well as certain autoimmune diseases.
Studies indicate indubitable connections, both direct and indirect, between autoimmune diseases and ED.
For instance, some of the most well-known autoimmune diseases are known culprits of ED. Some of these illnesses cause direct effects on the penis or cause other physical or psychological symptoms that exacerbate ED.
Here they are as follows:
- Type 1 diabetes. ED is common in men with diabetes, regardless of age; as much as three out of four men with diabetes will experience some form of ED over their lifetimes. Type 1 diabetes can be caused by nerve or blood vessel damage or inadequate control over blood sugar levels.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS). MS has a diminishing effect on the sexual health of both men and women. It can cause debilitating erection problems and sexual dysfunctions from its symptoms, such as muscle weakness, numbness, fatigue, or psychological effects.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). Sexual dysfunction, most commonly in the form of ED symptoms, is common in men with lupus. Lupus also causes inflammation and pain in the joints, skin, and organs, which can affect all aspects of sexual function.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic pain and inflammation can negatively impact sexual health and well-being. ED is the most common sexual dysfunction among men suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). A study found that almost 94% of men with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis suffered from some degree of erectile dysfunction.
The physical symptoms of any of these autoimmune diseases can cause stress and anxiety, which may influence your performance and reaction to sexual activity. Consequently, they can exacerbate physical conditions that might make producing an erection more difficult.
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How do autoimmunity and ED interact?
Understanding the autoimmune system and its interactions with medical conditions require much more research.
Based on the existing research, however, autoimmunity is a contributing factor in Parkinson’s disease, which is a known ED factor. Some less common autoimmune diseases or conditions that have a partial link to autoimmunity (such as Parkinson’s) can diminish an individual’s ability to produce an erection.
Transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord, counts sexual dysfunction as a common complication. Men with transverse myelitis have difficulty getting an erection or climaxing.
Moreover, other autoimmune diseases possess less conspicuous links to erectile dysfunction. For instance, systemic lupus erythematosus is a risk factor for Peyronie’s disease, which causes scar tissue to build up underneath the skin of the penis, causing ED and pain when getting erect.
However, one thing is for sure: the incidence of autoimmune diseases is rising in the United States. In particular, the most striking increases were found in men and women 50 and above, adult men, and adolescents. It is theorized that lifestyle or environmental changes are responsible for this increase.
How is ED treated in men with autoimmune illnesses?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction and your periscope is going down rather than up during sexual activity, and you suspect it is coming from an autoimmune disease or another underlying medical condition, consult your doctor to determine any link.
ED is often undetected or, worse, undertreated when it comes as a package deals with another potentially life-threatening disease such as an autoimmune illness.
Even if you don’t think you have some form of autoimmune disease, it’s best to consult with a doctor to determine that there isn’t any underlying health condition that’s flown under your radar causing it.
Fortunately, several effective oral prescription medications for ED are available in the market, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra). These ED pills belong to a category of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that help boost blood flow in the penis, helping individuals achieve longer-lasting, firmer erections.
Regardless of whether you look for a prescription, you may also want to try a non-medical solution to treating ED, such as engaging in more exercise and physical activity, refraining from alcohol and tobacco consumption, and consuming a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. These simple lifestyle changes can help improve your overall health, including your sex life, in more than a few ways, from boosting your erections to giving you more energy to perform.
