While age is the most common reason for erectile dysfunction, it is far from being the only one. Some of the better known include erectile dysfunction as an early warning for heart disease, but there are more that you might never have heard of.
Medications for Hair Loss or Enlarged Prostate
Medications that treat these conditions have been known to cause both ED and loss of libido in some men. This is because they function by reducing dihydrotestosterone levels in the blood. Dihydrotestosterone is basically the male sex hormone, and it is responsible for helping maintain their sex drive.
The drugs definitely work for both hair loss and the urinary tract symptoms that come with an enlarged prostate. However, hormonal changes do affect some men and lead to erectile dysfunction. If you have been prescribed these medicines, we definitely recommend you try them first as the side-effects do not always occur. However, if you notice difficulties with getting or maintaining an erection afterward, the medication may be to blame.
Gum Disease
Your gums may be located almost as far away from your penis as possible, but they can be related. Strangely, no-one is quite sure why there is a link between periodic gum disease and ED, but studies have shown that it is undoubtedly there.
People who suffer from recurrent gum disease are often in generally poor health, and it has already been linked to other conditions like heart disease, for which ED is a known early-warning indicator. Gum disease can result from underlying blood flow issues that can go on to cause ED or other issues that arise from poor circulation.
Bicycling
Back in the 9th century B.C., people discovered a link between horseback riding and ED. While horseback riding has declined in popularity over the last 3,000 years, a new activity has risen to take its place. A new medical report found that over 4% of men who cycled for at least 3 hours each week suffered from ED. This same result tested people who took part in other fitness activities for similar periods of time and found that less than 1% of them had the same issues.
Bicycle saddles are relatively hard, and sitting on them for long periods of time can damage the nerves and arteries that supply blood to the penis. Over time, this results in an increased risk of ED.
Diabetes
Men who suffer from diabetes are around three and a half times more likely to suffer from ED. This is because diabetes patients have issues regulating their blood sugar. Eventually, this leads to damage in various nerves and small blood vessels. The penis is just one of the areas that can be affected by this, and if the damage is severe enough, it can have a significant impact on the ability to get or maintain an erection.
High Blood Pressure
Healthy blood flow is a key factor in men’s ability to get and maintain an erection. This means that they need healthy blood vessels. When their blood pressure becomes too high, people’s bodies become less able to transport blood efficiently, which can lead to ED.
However, some of the medications that treat high blood pressure can also cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. Of course, this is not a reason to stop taking medicine aimed at reducing blood pressure. However, if you are suffering from ED and you worry that your medication is the cause, you should speak to a doctor. They will be able to recommend medical interventions or changes you can make in your life that will help alleviate symptoms.