Erectile dysfunction is not rare; millions of men across the globe suffer from it. It is the failure to achieve or maintain an erection strong enough to have sexual intercourse. There are several reasons for the issue, though blockage in arteries or atherosclerosis is one of the most overlooked ones. In this paper, we will explore the relationship between clogged arteries and ED, the risk factors for ED, and the available treatments.
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries narrow and harden as plaque builds up. This plaque is composed of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances present in the blood. As the plaque accumulates, it cuts off the blood supply to the organs and tissues, including the penis. That diminished circulation is the cause of ED.
ED is strongly associated with blocked arteries. According to one paper, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, men who suffered from ED had more blocked arteries than those who didn’t. They also reported that the severity of ED correlated directly with the severity of atherosclerosis. This is because the arteries feeding the penis are smaller than those feeding the rest of the body, and hence more prone to blockages.
So, what causes clogged arteries?
High cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and obesity are the primary risk factors for atherosclerosis. ED is also linked to these risk factors. The high cholesterol level can cause plaque buildup in the arteries, and the high blood pressure can cause damage to the lining of the blood vessels and leave them susceptible to the formation of plaque. Diabetes, too, can degrade nerves and blood vessels, causing less blood to flow to the penis. Smoking and obesity are also known to raise the risk of atherosclerosis and ED.
Treatments
Medicating clogged arteries can relieve ED symptoms. By quitting smoking, working out, and keeping a normal weight, atherosclerosis can be prevented or reversed. Moreover, reducing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes also boosts the blood circulation of the penis. Medications such as statins, blood pressure pills, and diabetes medicines are available to manage the underlying cause and decrease ED symptoms when lifestyle changes aren’t enough.
If ED involves clogged arteries, more aggressive treatments might be required. These include penile implants, vacuum erection machines, and injections.
Penile Implants:
Penile implants (also called prostheses) are prosthetics implanted inside the penis to achieve an erection. There are two different types of penile implants – inflatable and semirigid. Inflatable implants allow the user to decide whether or not they get an erection and semirigid implants are always semi-rigid. Penile implants are usually reserved for last-ditch attempts after the other options have failed.
Putting in a penile prosthesis involves cutting a hole in the scrotum or lower belly, and then inserting the device inside the penis. Infection, skin-to-skin erosion, and mechanical breakdown are the potential risks of penile implants. Yet penile implants are extremely popular among patients, and 80-90% of men find that after surgery they experience good sexual intercourse.
Vacuum Erection Devices:
Vacuum erection devices (VEDs) use machines that pump blood into the penis to create an erection. They place a cylinder around the penis and use a pump to fill the cylinder with a vacuum. This void draws blood into the penis. A compression band is also present in the machine. When an erection is achieved, the constriction band is wrapped around the base of the penis to maintain the erection.
VEDs are an FDA-approved non-invasive therapy for ED and are generally well tolerated. But they might itch or bruise, and the penis can become damaged if the constriction band is too long. VEDs are a second-line treatment for ED, and they are not recommended for men with bleeding disorders or sickle cell anemia.
Injections:
Injections: Injections are the third invasive option for ED due to blocked arteries. Medications such as alprostadil, papaverine and phentolamine can be injected directly into the corpus cavernosum, the sponge-like tissue in the penis, to stimulate blood flow and produce an erection.
Injections are safe and effective, and most patients are highly satisfied with the result. However, they do have some undesirable side-effects including pain or swelling around the injection site, priapism (an extended erection) and fibrosis (scar tissue on the penis). Injections are typically used only when other treatments have been unsuccessful, and they are contraindicated for men with some conditions like sickle cell anaemia or multiple myeloma.
These treatments work by cutting off the narrowed arteries and enhancing blood supply to the penis. But only when other treatments have failed should they be considered.
For men with ED caused by clogged arteries, psychological counselling may be helpful in addition to treatment. The condition can create inadequacy, shame and anxiety, which can exacerbate symptoms. Counselling can address these problems and boost sexual satisfaction.
Conclusion:
So, clogged arteries are highly related to ED. Men with risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and obesity, are more likely to develop ED. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and appropriate risk factor management can delay or even reverse atherosclerosis, thereby alleviating ED symptoms. Extreme cases are treated with standard medical and psychological interventions that are supposed to help control the disorder and hence sexual functioning. It is crucial that men should know this connection so they can ensure that they are taking adequate action to prevent or treat ED by keeping their cardiovascular health in check.
