Learn more about diseases and medical treatments that may cause ED.
Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes
ED is known to have physical causes in some cases. One of such causes is diabetes. Diabetes can raise the probability of developing ED. In fact, about 50 percent of men who have diabetes experience ED at some point.
Diabetes is known to cause ED in two ways. First, diabetes narrows the blood vessels and this in turn affects the blood flow in the penile area. Second, high blood sugar damages nerves in the penis over time. Damaged nerves make it hard for the penis to react properly when certain signals from the brain are transmitted.
What can you do?
If you weren't diagnosed with diabetes, your physician may still require blood tests to see your blood sugar levels. ED can sometimes be an early symptom of diabetes. That's why you should inform your doctor if you experience problems with erections.
If you were diagnosed with diabetes, discuss with your doctor the possibilities of managing your blood sugar levels.
Erectile Dysfunction and High Blood Pressure
ED can be caused by physical conditions. One of such conditions is high blood pressure (also called hypertension). Having high blood pressure can raise the probability of experiencing ED.
High blood pressure usually damages the blood vessels over time and this includes blood vessels in the penile area as well. This of course affects the blood flow in the penis resulting in weaker erections.
ED can also take place as a side effect of certain drugs used for treating high blood pressure. Consult with your doctor about how hypertension or drugs used to treat it can affect the probability of developing ED.
What can you do?
If your ED is caused by high blood pressure, your doctor may define ways of lowering your blood pressure, which includes a healthy diet, exercising, and medicine intake.
If your ED is caused by a blood pressure drug, your doctor may adjust the dose or substitute it with another medicine that doesn't cause ED. However, don't cease taking any medication or adjust your doctor without a proper notice from the doctor. |
