Poor Circulation Negatively Impacts ED
December 30, 2022
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately 30 million American men will experience some form of erectile dysfunction. Many of those occurrences will have a benign physical or psychological cause. However, if it is you who are experiencing problems, there are no statistics that will comfort you.
As you may know, achieving an erection requires increased blood flow to the penis. That said there are many male health conditions and negative lifestyle issues that can inhibit the heart’s ability to push blood efficiently throughout the body. Inflammation, hypertension, and other medical conditions are often associated with poor cardiovascular health and being overweight or obese.
Poor circulation can damage the inner lining of the blood vessels. Since erections occur when blood flow causes the penis to become engorged and firm, any problems with circulation and flow can make it difficult for enough blood to reach the penis.
Physical Causes of Reduced Blood Flow
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction can be intermittent where you experience difficulties for a few days only to have them resolve. A rare occurrence is usually nothing to worry about. If your ED comes back, there are several medical conditions related to poor circulation, such as:
- Atherosclerosis: A condition in which the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the build-up of plaque. This can reduce blood flow throughout the body, including the penis.
- Peripheral artery disease: A condition that occurs when the arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked. It can reduce blood flow to the lower extremities, including the penis.
- Diabetes Mellitus: High blood sugar levels and poor glucose control can damage the blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation as well as causing unintended weight gain.
In addition to specific medical issues, there are modifiable risk factors (lifestyle issues) for erectile dysfunction that are associated with reduced blood flow and circulatory issues, such as:
- Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels (including those that carry blood to the penis) and can lower testosterone production. If you are a smoker experiencing ED, quitting may help improve your symptoms.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can contribute to poor circulation. In addition to its effects on blood flow, a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of other health problems that are linked to ED.
- Alcohol abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the blood vessels and lead to poor circulation. Alcohol and drugs can interfere with the nerves that control erections and also reduce testosterone production.
If you are experiencing ED and have poor circulation, it is important to speak with a men’s healthcare provider. They can help determine if the underlying problem is serious and will recommend your best treatment options, which may include lifestyle changes, therapy to improve circulation, or medications to treat the cause.
Can Belly Fat Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Although erectile dysfunction in some men can be directly attributed to heart issues and poor circulation, the inability to get or maintain an erection in other men may be directly linked to excess body fat, especially around their mid-section. It’s not surprising that studies have shown a connection between high BMI (body mass index) numbers and reduced testosterone levels.
Similar men’s sexual health studies suggest that losing excess deposits of stored fat can help increase testosterone production, which allowed some men to enjoy an increase in sexual stamina and performance. However, even in men whose testosterone levels are normal, metabolic syndrome (a series of symptoms such as high blood pressure, diabetes and belly fat) are significantly associated with ED.
As you might guess, too much belly fat is closely linked to a host of conditions that are known contributors to erectile issues. Fortunately, some men can restore normal erectile function through healthy weight loss. In fact, the Massachusetts Male Aging Study reported, when compared to a sedentary control group, a 70% reduction in ED due to weight loss and muscle gain for those men who engaged in mid-life physical activities.
Dr. Earl Eye – Men’s Health Specialist Jacksonville
Erectile dysfunction is a common men’s sexual health condition that can have many causes. So, the best treatment approach should always depend on the underlying cause or combination of causes. If you are experiencing ED and it is causing problems in your relationship or daily life, it is important to talk to a men’s healthcare provider like Dr. Earl Eye. Having practiced medicine in Jacksonville for four decades, Dr. Eye is board certified in five medical specialties.
Today, Dr. Eye’s practice focuses almost exclusively on male patients, offering comprehensive and individualized concierge health care to help men live a healthier, more vibrant life. Shockwave therapy is a series of in-office procedures offered by Dr. Eye that are completely non-invasive, drug-free, and surgery free. Typically treatments last between 15 to 20 minutes. There are little to no side effects and no downtime.
If you are tired of taking the little blue pill and are interested in non-invasive treatment options, schedule an appointment with Dr. Eye. As your certified GAINSWave™ provider, he will review your symptoms and recommend the right protocol to help you regain and optimize your sexual performance.
