Erectile dysfunction or ED for short is a sexual condition characterized by having difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection. It can affect men of all ages, making sexual activity less pleasurable.
Various research has shown that there are several health factors that affect ED. And one of them is obesity. In this article, we will further look at how your weight and your erection are related.
How Does Obesity Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
While there’s no research that directly links erectile dysfunction to obesity, some underlying medical conditions associated with being overweight have an effect on penile erection.
For example, a study on the relationship between obesity and erectile dysfunction divided overweight men into two groups. The first group had expert help while the other group received minor written help.
After two years, 31 percent of those who received professional help shed almost 33 lbs off their weight and restored their erectile function. While only 5 percent of the other group who received minimal help showed improvements.
A similar study conducted by the University of Adelaide had the same findings — obese men are more likely to have erectile dysfunction than those who aren’t. The study also showed that physical activity and weight loss improve the condition of those who have ED.
That shows that although there isn’t any scientific evidence to show that obesity directly causes ED, its negative effects — such as high blood pressure and diabetes — on a person’s health are closely associated with erectile dysfunction, making it a major risk factor.
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What’s Happening in Your Body When Your Obese?
When you’re obese or overweight, there is a high level of inflammation in your body. This inflammatory condition can wreak havoc on your endocrine system and endothelial layer, which can cause erectile dysfunction.
The endothelial level is the inner lining of the blood vessel. When they are not functioning properly, the vessels will have difficulty switching from dilation to constriction. In other words, blood flow will also be affected.
Researchers say that it is highly possible that high levels of fat in the body can cause dysfunction in the endothelial layer. They also think that there is a possible link between obesity and erectile dysfunction — too much fat affects the blood flow resulting in erectile dysfunction.
How Obesity Affects the Testosterone Levels
Obesity does not just affect cardiovascular health but also the testosterone production of the body. A 2009 study shows that the higher the body mass index or BMI is, the lower the serum testosterone concentration is.
A recent study concurs that severely overweight men have low levels of testosterone. In other words, men who are on the heavier side, have sexual performance problems.
Testosterone directly affects libido or sexual desire. And if obesity affects testosterone levels, then a person’s sexual desire also decreases. And other studies show that the body should have a certain amount of testosterone in order to achieve an erection.
Hope for the Overweight: Improving Erection Quality
As mentioned above, BMI plays a significant role in erection quality. To give you an idea of how much your BMI you have, use this calculator from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
If you are overweight, making a few lifestyle changes can improve your well-being but also your sexual performance. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Lose weight — you can exercise or go on a diet to lose weight. Many studies showed that weight loss is linked to erection quality and sexual performance.
- Take care of your heart — high blood pressure and hypertension are cardiovascular issues that affect erection. Maintaining a healthy heart can do wonders to your sexual health.
- Exercise regularly — even if you are not planning to lose weight, regular exercise can improve blood circulation and your mood. Improved mood can make you relax, reduce performance anxiety, and increase your stamina.
- Take medication — there are cases where medication is needed to solve your erectile dysfunction. Talk to your doctor first before taking any.
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Medications and Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
There are non-invasive treatments available for ED. it is highly recommended to talk to your doctors first before taking them:
- Oral drugs or pills called PED5 inhibitors including Levitra, Viagra
To ensure efficacy, men suffering from ED should take this drug two hours before sex. These drugs improve blood flow
- Penile injections
Alprostadil is injected into the side of the penis using a very fine needle. It’s recommended for men who do not respond to pills. This type of medication has an 85% success rate.
- Testosterone therapy
This is recommended for those who have low sex drive and low testosterone levels.
- Vacuum erection devices
This paraphernalia consists of a plastic tube slipped over the penis, a pump at the other end of the tube, and a low-pressure vacuum. It keeps the penis hard for 30 minutes.
- Penile implants
They are placed inside the penis to make it stiff. It’s recommended for males who wouldn’t respond to oral medications, and therapies.
- Surgery to bypass damage of penile artery
