No one ever looks forward to dealing with gastrointestinal discomfort – it’s unpleasant, uncomfortable, and painful at times.
And if you’re prone to the odd digestive issue every now and then, you might have found it harder to, well, “get hard” – or produce and keep an erection when you’re in the middle of a full-blown stomach ache.
That begs the question: do stomach issues cause erectile dysfunction (ED)? Granted, while there doesn’t seem to be a direct causality linking digestive issues to ED, several studies support the claim that long-term stomach issues may pose ED risk factors in some men.
Here’s everything you need to know about stomach problems and their link to ED.
Can digestive issues cause ED?
There’s very little research out there supporting stomach health and any potential links to erectile health.
In fact, the gastrointestinal system is hardly involved – if at all – in the process of getting an erection. Needless to say, there is some scientific research out there suggesting that certain digestive illnesses may cause sexual dysfunctions such as ED.
Let’s take the case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — an illness arising from the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is one of the digestive illnesses linked to sexual dysfunctions like ED and low libido.
A study of men with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease showed that 94% of patients experienced some form of erectile dysfunction. Additionally, researchers found that ED was linked to age and diminishing physical and mental health.
While IBD might have a link to ED, researchers are unaware of any clear and direct evidence of digestive issues causing ED as a consequence.
Researchers theorize that the link between stomach problems and ED stems from psychological rather than physical issues. This can be in the form of sexual performance anxiety, stress, and depression, not to mention issues with body image perception commonly experienced by IBD patients, especially those with symptomatic IBD.
We also have to keep discomfort as one of the major considerations, which can be a major issue when dealing with digestive problems. It’s hard to get in the mood for sex when you have that nagging fear of needing to go to the bathroom at the back of your head all the time.
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What other diseases cause or exacerbate ED?
IBD and similar digestive health concerns belong to the various medical and psychological issues that can cause or worsen ED symptoms.
Since erections are a product of optimal circulatory and nerve function, a variety of medical conditions may cause problems with erectile function. Here are some of the most common physical causes of ED as follows:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Circulatory diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Atherosclerosis (or the buildup of arterial plaque)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Chronic renal disease
- Trauma to the penis, genital area, prostate, or spinal cord
- Damage to nerves in the pelvis and its surrounding areas
- Diabetes
- Peyronie’s disease
- A history of undergoing treatment for prostate cancer
- Low testosterone
Certain prescription medicines, including medications used to treat the aforementioned illnesses, may also increase your ED risk.
For instance, ED (erectile dysfunction) is a recognized adverse reaction of antidepressant drugs, anti-androgens, anxiolytics, sleeping pills, appetite suppressants, drugs for gastric ulcers, and some classes of antihypertensive drugs.
These medicines may also cause digestive issues. For instance, many antidepressants that treat depression and anxiety are linked to digestive health issues, particularly nausea, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal pain.
However, when these side effects manifest simultaneously, it may be hard to determine whether they come from the medicine or the symptoms are related to ED.
ED can also be caused by or exacerbated by psychological factors such as:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Body image issues
- Sexual performance anxiety
- Guilt about engaging in sexual activity
- Feelings of inadequacy
How is ED treated?
ED can be a bummer to deal with, but take heart: it can be treated in most cases.
Better yet, ED patients have plenty of options at their disposal, from oral medications and topical applications to making simple lifestyle changes and inculcating positive habits. Even patients with severe ED that don’t respond well to first-line treatments have proven treatment options.
First, begin by addressing your gastrointestinal health
If you have stomach health issues, it’s best to begin your journey by treating it before anything else.
Most gastrointestinal illnesses are treatable through general lifestyle changes or through medicines. Ask your healthcare provider about the best approach to treating your digestive health issues based on your medical history, needs, and symptoms.
Granted, treating your gastrointestinal health problems doesn’t necessarily mean your ED will disappear. It will, however, improve your quality of life and help reduce the severity of sexual performance anxiety that may arise as a result of your digestive health issues.
Next, get examined for other potential underlying health issues
If your ED is caused by physical issues, treating the underlying problem may do wonders to boost your sexual health and erectile function. It’s imperative that you get regular health screenings and any exams that are appropriate for your age group and current health status.
Your doctor may identify underlying medical conditions that may be causing or exacerbating your ED, such as hypertension or low hormonal levels.
Plenty of issues that cause ED are best treated when they are detected early, allowing you to enjoy a better quality of life – not to mention better sexual and erectile function.
Ask your doctor about taking ED medication
ED medications such as sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®), or avanafil (Stendra®) are best-known as first-line treatments for ED. They have enjoyed a sterling record of safety and effectiveness.
These drugs are known as PDE5 inhibitors, which work by boosting blood flow to the penile tissues responsible for producing and maintaining erections. They make it easier for you to get hard when you’re in a state of sexual arousal or when you’re being sexually stimulated.
ED medications are usually taken an hour before having sex, making them an excellent, handy option for treating ED and boosting your performance on an as-needed basis.
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Implement lifestyle changes and drop bad habits
Altering your daily routines and way of life can help enhance your well-being and decrease the intensity of erectile dysfunction symptoms. Try working on the following habits and lifestyle changes, whether separately or in conjunction with ED medication, to boost your erections and enhance your sexual performance:
- Try to get at least 15 minutes of light to moderate exercise 3-5 days a week.
- Drop the excess pounds and keep healthy body weight.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce alcohol consumption or cut it out entirely.
- Avoid taking recreational drugs.
The final word on gastrointestinal issues and erectile dysfunction
In the final accounting, research suggests that gastrointestinal health issues may be a risk factor for ED, but no evidence exists suggesting that they directly cause ED.
It’s also within the realm of possibility that certain medications that are known to cause stomach issues such as antidepressants may worsen erectile issues and other sexual dysfunctions.
Are you convinced that your ED is caused by stomach health issues? Consult your primary healthcare provider so that they can help identify any gastrointestinal problems affecting your sexual health and determine a treatment approach that’s perfectly suited to your age, health, and medical history.
