5 Unexpected Things That May Signal ED

ED is an epidemic disease that plagues millions of men worldwide. Erectile dysfunction is typically defined by the inability to get or maintain an erection, but there are several other unusual symptoms associated with the disease. In this article, we list five such signs for men to identify and act upon before they suffer and live in perfect sexual health.

1. Sleep Disorders and ED:

Bed-disorders related to ED include insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. Hormone production and tissue repair are among many healing processes that take place in the body while we sleep. Uneven sleep disrupts these processes and consequently sets in motion a series of medical symptoms, one of which is ED.

The hormone most adversely impacted by sleep disorders is testosterone. Testosterone is a major sex hormone, and the amount it releases is correlated with sleep. As has been reported in the literature, men with sleep apnea – which prevents the body from breathing repeatedly while asleep – have less testosterone than non-disabled men. Because of this decrease in testosterone levels, ED, along with other erection disorders, might be caused.

In addition, sleep disorders can trigger chronic stress, anxiety and depression-all affecting sexual function. In the case of chronic stress, cortisol levels can become higher, which blocks testosterone production, and ED occurs. Depression and anxiety also contribute to desire and sexual arousal, and are implicated in ED.

2. Mental Health Issues:

Depression, anxiety and stress all contribute to ED by negatively affecting sexual function.

Depression is among the most prevalent psychiatric diseases that has allegedly affected a person’s sexual health. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates that 16.1 million Americans aged 18 and older suffer from depression, which is around 6.7 per cent of the general population. Depression weakens self-confidence, appearance and relationships, leading to zero erection. Furthermore, certain antidepressants and other medications used in depression can make ED symptoms worse. Depressed men need to get professional advice on how to manage the illness, which can have a positive impact on their sexuality.

Anxiety is another psychological dysfunction that causes ED. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates that there are 40 million Americans, or 18.1% of the population, who experience anxiety. Anxiety can leave you feeling depressed, anxious or anxious and this could hinder your attempts to get or sustain an erection. Performance anxiety – that is, anxiety about not being able to have sex – is ED in itself. Psychiatric assistance in treating the disorder could increase sexual wellbeing in anxiety-ridden men.

Stress is one of the most common disorders that could affect sexual functioning and ultimately lead to ED. Stressors can have innumerable causes, from job concerns to relationship troubles to financial hardship. Constant stress can be toxic to a person’s mood, sleep and health, thus affecting their capacity to create or maintain an erection. Men with high levels of stress should look for alternative ways of coping – exercises, meditation, therapy – that might help them get better sexual health.

Multiple mental conditions can therefore lead to a disruption in sexual function and ED. Men with mental illnesses should consider professional treatment that might allow them to control their condition, which might also indirectly improve their sexual health. For complete treatment of ED, it is essential to resolve the underlying mental health concern because correction of the root mental health issue can relieve symptoms of ED.

3. Activity and ED:

Being active is a vital part of our health and wellbeing. Exercise is known to support cardiovascular health, mood and sexual performance. On the contrary, inactivity is associated with a host of diseases, including ED.

Exercise improves blood circulation throughout the body, including the penis. This extra circulation is essential for an erection and a steady erection. Low activity levels cause reduced blood flow, making it difficult to get or keep an erection.

Exercise can also support mood and reduce stress, both factors that can trigger ED. Exercise reduced the symptoms of anxiety and depression, both of which affect sexual desire and arousal. Physical exercise can also boost self-esteem and body image, which can in turn increase sexual confidence and sexual function.

4. Poor Dental Hygiene and ED:

While there may appear to be little link between dental health and ED, a promising relationship has recently been identified. For example, a 2016 paper in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that ED men were more likely to have periodontal disease (the most advanced form of gum disease) than men without ED. The suggested steps for such a relationship are:

A. Inflammation: Periodontal disease is marked by a chronic inflammation that has the effect of debilitating the blood vessels, leading to ED.

B. Bacteria: Poor oral hygiene causes proliferating oral bacteria to invade the blood stream and damage blood vessels thereby reducing the flow of blood to the penis.

C. Systemic Impact: Periodontal disease has been associated with many systemic issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are risk factors for ED.

5. Kidney Disease and ED:

Kidney disease is a disease where kidneys gradually stop working and waste materials accumulate in the body. The National Kidney Foundation states that ED strikes as many as one in eight men with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). There are multiple explanations for this correlation, which include:

A. Hormonal Mismatch: CKD can affect the amount of testosterone, the building block of sex and sexual drive.

B. Vascular Injury: Kidney damage tends to involve inflammation of the blood vessels, thus reducing the blood supply to the penis, leading to ED.

C. Drug Side-effects: Most medications that are used for kidney disease, including diuretics and phosphate binders, can cause ED.

D. Psychological Issues: The men who have kidney disease may experience anxiety, depression, and poor living conditions, which can cause ED.

Conclusion: 5 Unexpected Things That May Signal ED

ED symptoms go far beyond the bedroom and can reveal multiple health problems. When a person suffers from sleep disturbance, mental illness, reduced activity level, faulty dental care or kidney disease, he should consult a doctor and actively treat his condition so as not to increase risks to sexual health. Men who merely spotted these highly unusual symptoms of ED would, subsequently, take extraordinary steps to take better care of their sex and health.