What Your Erection Says About Your Health

Erectile dysfunction is rarely an isolated problem. It can be a warning sign of greater threats to men's health.

Once upon a time, erectile dysfunction was thought to be all in your head, the result of a psychological problem. Now we know that notion is for the most part false and that, more than a problem limited to having an erection, erectile dysfunction is almost always a warning sign of a more serious medical issue. In fact about 70 percent of erectile dysfunction is probably related to diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease. And it can be traced to several other illnesses affecting men's health as well.

This is why, sexual performance aside, if you have erectile dysfunction, you should see your physician.

What Your Erection Says About Men's Health

Knowing the connection between erectile dysfunction and these other men's health issues will help you be proactive about your well-being:

    Heart disease. Since the penis is made up of blood vessels and spongy tissue, a problem with blood flow to the penis usually means there's already a problem with blood flow to other parts of the body that's gone undetected. Emerging science shows that erectile dysfunction can indicate other types of vascular or arterial disease, such as heart attacks and stroke. Studies have shown that men who have erectile dysfunction and no history of heart attack go on to have heart attacks sooner than their counterparts without erectile dysfunction.
    One such study, published in the journal Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, looked at more than 1,400 men and found a strong association between erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease in men. The researchers also concluded that the presence of erectile dysfunction in younger men was a strong risk factor for a future coronary event.
    It would be a good idea for anyone with erectile dysfunction to get screened for their cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol and blood pressure. In fact, when those underlying issues are corrected, many times the erectile dysfunction itself improves or could resolve.
    Diabetes. One of the worst complications of uncontrolled diabetes is nerve and blood vessel damage. Because both these functions are critical to maintaining an erection, it's not surprising that diabetes is tied to erectile dysfunction - men ages 45 and younger should know that erectile dysfunction is actually a significant warning sign of diabetes. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that men diagnosed with diabetes often experience problems with erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier in life than ED typically strikes. And overall, the incidence of ED among men with diabetes is high - according to a recent study of 555 Italian men with type 2 diabetes, about 60 percent had some form of erectile dysfunction, a much higher rate than among the general population. The study found that factors that can help control diabetes, such as good exercise and diet habits, were also helpful for erectile dysfunction symptoms.
    Thyroid diseases. The thyroid gland produces hormones that impact functions throughout the body. So when the thyroid gland is producing too many or too few hormones, your ability to get an erection can be affected. Erectile dysfunction is both a symptom of too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). For hyperthyroidism, other symptoms to look for include anxiety, irritability, shaky hands, unexplained weight loss, rapid heart rate, and diarrhea. For hypothyroidism, expect to experience fatigue, listlessness, a slow heart rate, constipation, and weight gain.
    HIV. A review article that looked at the results of many studies of men with HIV found that rates of erectile dysfunction were higher among those in the HIV-positive community than in other men. The reasons for the higher rates of erection problems aren't completely known, but researchers theorize that it might be a combination of hormonal changes and psychological issues.
    Other health conditions. Erectile dysfunction can be tied to other health problems, including kidney disease, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, other endocrine disorders, and neurologic disease. 

In each case, the disease can affect one or more of the mechanisms that affect the formation of an erection. For your sexual health and your overall health, you owe it to yourself to find out what's behind your erectile dysfunction and get the treatment you need.

Conquering Erection Problems - 7 Reasons it Might Not be Erectile Dysfunction after All

Erection problems are often seen as a problem for older men, but the truth is that men of any age can experience a less-than-stellar performance from time to time. While a bedroom flop might seem like a reason for panic, men who have only occasional bouts of erectile loss may want to look at some other aspects of their lifestyle. Some non-ED causes of erectile problems are detailed below, along with some simple suggestions for improved penis health.
8 Non-ED causes of erection problems:

Erection problems are not always related to erectile dysfunction perse. Other factors related to a man’s physical and emotional health can lead to temporary issues in the bedroom, including:

1. Alcohol use - While a drink or two can help to break the ice and move things toward the bedroom more quickly, overdoing it can have an unintended and unfortunate effect. Alcohol is a depressant, or downer, and one of the victims of the "downer" effect is the ability to become erect. Men who have romantic intentions for the evening should keep their consumption to no more than 2 drinks in order to avoid an embarrassing end to an evening.

2. Smoking - Smoking wreaks havoc on the body in numerous ways, including hardening and narrowing the blood vessels, interfering with neural activity and reducing a man’s stamina. Crushing out the butts is a proactive step toward overall better health, not to mention improved sexual ability.

3. Stress - The pressures of maintaining a job, caring for a family, studying for exams, or anything else that keeps a man up at night can cause chemical stress reactions that tend to interfere with erectile ability. Reducing stress or finding better ways to cope can help to improve a man’s ability to react to stimulation.

4. Poor circulation - Reduced circulation to the penis, whether due to excess body fat, reduced heart function, or just sitting at a desk for too long can restrict blood flow and result in at least temporary reduction in erectile action.

5. Depression - Depression and other emotional or mood disorders can manifest as loss of erectile ability; on the flip side, loss of erectile function can actually lead to depression. In either case, treating the depression with counseling and/or medication may help.

6. Relationship issues - Whether faced with partner conflict or just an old relationship in which the sex just doesn’t feel new and exciting any more, a man who is not feeling comfortable with his mate may not feel aroused every time the occasion calls for it. Couples counseling - or even a change in partners - might provide the answer in this case.

7. Medications - Finally, certain prescription medications can lead to loss of function; when medications are in the mix, talking to a doctor about an alternative may help to resolve the issue.

When erectile dysfunction may be diagnosed

Of course, there is always the potential that there is a more serious underlying health problem that is responsible for impotence issues, and in this case, ED may really be at stake. Erectile dysfunction may be diagnosed when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to complete intercourse more than 25% of the time, or when he fails to experience night time erections. In this case, treating the health problem appropriately is an important step in restoring normal function.

Keeping the penis in game-ready condition

It goes without saying that being ready for sex means not only being able to get it up, but also feeling confident; and in order to feel confident, a man needs to believe that he is sexy and appealing. Some overall attention to grooming can help to take care of this issue - a shower, change of clothes and a shave can go a long way toward making a man feel attractive.

When it comes time to drop trou, a guy needs to be assured that his equipment is also ready for action - with smooth skin, no rough spots or blemishes, and most of all, no unpleasant, mushroomy odors. Adding a penis health creme (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) fortified with targeted male nutrients and all-natural moisturizers is a good way to ensure that the skin is in top condition. Nutrients like vitamin A, for instance, can help to eliminate odor-causing bacteria, while amino acids like L-arginine can promote the skin’s responsiveness to tactile stimulation. On top of these, a natural moisturizer - like Shea butter, olive oil, or jojoba oil, can keep the skin looking smooth and supple, giving it a pleasant appearance.