Around 30 million men in America tend to experience such an unpleasant condition as erectile dysfunction (E.D.), either occasionally or regularly. These data demonstrate that it is a common problem for many males but no statistics can be comforting whenever you experience difficulty maintaining an erection to the extent that you expect.
The Mechanics of an Erection
If erectile function works normally, an erection happens when blood vessels, which lead to the penis, dilate and this causes a man’s sexual organ to get filled with blood. Basically, the blood creates pressure and gets trapped making the penis expand and cause an erection. When the blood inflow subsides, the veins open up and the penis becomes soft again. The damage of blood vessels interferes with this process and may result in E.D.
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The typical symptoms include the following:
- You experience a decrease in your sexual drive;
- You find it hard to get aroused;
- You’re not able to achieve an erection;
- You find it difficult to maintain an erection.
The symptoms may come and go but if you experience discomfort caused by E.D. regularly, it is a sign that you need to take a closer look at your health. There is a number of reasons why men have symptoms of impotence and if the problem remains untreated, it can cause serious health complications, both mental and physical.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
E.D. can be experienced by men of different ages and the reasons will vary for different individuals. Naturally, older men are more predisposed to having a problem achieving and maintaining a proper erection but no male is immune to having such an unpleasant health issue as erectile dysfunction at least once in their lifetime.
There is a number of physical conditions and lifestyle habits, which can negatively influence the blood flow to the penis and here are just some of them:
- Hormonal imbalance;
- High blood pressure;
- Enlarged prostate;
- Use of medications;
- Hypercholesterolemia;
- Alcohol abuse and smoking;
- Depression, stress, and fatigue;
- Injuries or scarred tissue inside the penis;
- Obesity.
The Definition of Obesity
Obesity is a health condition characterized by increased BMI (Body Mass Index), which is more than 20% over the person’s ideal weight and is above 30.
- The condition is usually caused by overeating combined with the lack of physical activity during an extensive amount of time;
- High consumption of calories, poor diet, drinking too much alcohol can be among the causes of accumulation of excessive fat in the body;
- Some medical conditions, for example, hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome, can contribute to the weight gain;
- Genetics can also be a reason why most people struggle to keep their normal weight;
- Certain medications used to treat such diseases as diabetes, epilepsy, mental illnesses are also among the factors, which are directly related to the development of obesity.
The Correlation Between Erectile Dysfunction and Obesity
Men who have issues with extra weight are at a high risk of developing various health conditions, including those, which are directly or indirectly related to the blood flow. Such illnesses include heart diseases, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and diabetes, to name a few. All these illnesses can become a reason for erectile dysfunction on their own. However, when they are combined with overweight or obesity, the likelihood of experiencing E.D. becomes significant.
Obesity can cause the impairment of the blood vessels, the decrease of testosterone, and the generalized low-grade inflammation in the body. All this can be damaging to the cardiovascular system and may slow blood flow, which naturally results in erectile dysfunction and impaired quality of life in general.
Weight Loss as a Way to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Reportedly, losing weight can be one of the most effective ways to regain the normal sexual capability of a man. Many studies suggest that whenever men consume at least 300 fewer calories each day and increase their physical activity, those who suffer from E.D. successfully manage to regain normal sexual function in a relatively short period of time. Therefore, with proper health and lifestyle changes, the chances of restoring erection functioning can be increased significantly.