Impotence, also commonly known as erectile dysfunction, affects millions of men. The disorder is classified as a sexual dysfunction and causes dreadful symptoms, which may not only lead to the development of additional symptoms in the affected person, but also to problems in the relationship they have with a partner.
Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to have an erection that is adequate for sexual intercourse – this could include not being able to get hard enough to penetrate a partner or not being able to retain a hard erection for a period long enough to have sexual intercourse until both partners reach orgasm.
How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction affects many men. Some men have more severe symptoms than others.
For instance, one man with erectile dysfunction may get a hard erection. He may start penetration without problems, but his erection may soon go away. This means sexual intercourse has ended. Neither partner has reached orgasm or been thoroughly satisfied.
The Boston University School of Sexual Medicine reports data. About 10% of men between 40 and 70 experience severe to complete impotence. At the age of 40, approximately 22% of men are affected by this condition. Erectile dysfunction is less common among younger people.
Still, it’s important to ask questions like how common is erectile dysfunction in young men.
However, it still affects 10% of men under the age of 40.
What Causes ED in Men?
There is a complicated list of potential causes and possible risk factors linked to erectile dysfunction. Similar to many other diseases, the causes often differ from one patient to another.
Mayo Clinic explains that a lot of men with heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure find that their erectile function is affected in a negative way. Having a metabolic syndrome or Parkinson’s disease can also contribute to impotence in men.
Erectile dysfunction can also cause psychological symptoms to develop, such as depression.
When a man is unable to satisfy his partner, he may be worried about their relationship, and the fact that he is unable to have normal erections can also have an impact on his self-esteem. These issues can lead to symptoms of depression.
When asking what causes ED in young men, the list remains similar. This is especially true for mental health conditions like depression.
Low Testosterone And Erectile Function
Apart from these causes of ED in men, another contributing factor is a low testosterone count.
Even though testosterone doesn’t affect a man’s ability to gain or maintain an erection directly, it can play a significant role in a man’s erectile function.
Men’s Health reports that testosterone is responsible for regulating a man’s sex drive. When there’s a problem with sex drive, they’re more likely to experience problems with their ability to gain an erection during an intimate session with a partner. For this reason, low testosterone is often considered to be a possible contributing factor to erectile dysfunction.
When erectile problems are caused by a low testosterone count, then a man is not only at risk of a low sex drive and possibly symptoms of impotence, but can also develop many other symptoms that are considered effects of low testosterone.
Health Line explains that signs of low testosterone in a man’s blood may include a decrease in muscle mass, as well as reduced physical strength. Fatigue, hot flashes, and weight gain are also common symptoms. Furthermore, body hair may reduce, and his breast tissue may start to swell up, which can lead to male breasts, a condition that is also known as Gynecomastia.
Testosterone also plays a part in maintaining strong and healthy bones. When testosterone levels decline too fast, the body may not have an adequate level of this hormone to keep the man’s bones strong. When such a condition develops, bones may become fragile and are more likely to fracture.
Thus, a strong link between low testosterone and osteoporosis exists.
A review study by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center also explains that there is a definite link between age-related testosterone decline in men and the onset of osteoporosis, since the bone disease seems to increase with age, corresponding to the higher prevalence of testosterone deficiency in older men.
They explain that androgen, a class of hormones to which testosterone belongs, binds to estrogen receptors, which then adversely affects bone health.
What are the Symptoms of Low Testosterone?
You should now have a better idea of what causes ED in men, as well as how low T and osteoporosis may be connected. Recognizing low testosterone in men is important. This can give you an early warning sign. It allows you to take action before it becomes a more noticeable problem.
The symptoms can vary, but for many men, sexual dysfunction is a common sign. As we’ve explained already, you may find it difficult to have an erection. Your sex drive may also be low when your T levels decline too much.
When asking what low testosterone symptoms are, there are a couple more signs to look out for:
- Unexpected weight gain
- Cognitive issues (like difficulty remembering things)
- Hot flashes
- Changes in your mood
- Fatigue
Low testosterone symptoms in men can differ from one person to another. If you experience these, it’s best to see a doctor. They can do some tests to determine if you have low T. You can also raise your concerns regarding osteoporosis, which can be especially helpful if your tests do show low testosterone.
Conclusion
A common cause of erectile dysfunction in men is low testosterone levels. When testosterone levels are too low, a man can not only develop this dreadful condition, but is also at a higher risk of developing other health conditions.
Since testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density and health throughout the body, another symptom of low testosterone may be a decline in bone health, which can contribute to the development of osteoporosis.
References:
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/sexualmedicine/physicianinformation/epidemiology-of-ed/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5036835/
http://www.menshealth.com/health/effects-of-low-testosterone/slide/1
https://www.nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/
