Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common type of male sexual dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (ED), also called impotence. It is a condition in which a man regularly finds it difficult to get or keep a firm erection & the inability to get and maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
Causes:
Physical causes of erectile dysfunction:
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Certain prescription medications
- Tobacco use
- Peyronie’s disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
- Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
- Sleep disorders
- Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
- Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
- Low testosterone
Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction:
- Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
- Stress
- Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns
Risk factors:
- Medical conditions, particularly diabetes or heart conditions
- Tobacco use, which restricts blood flow to veins and arteries, can — over time — cause chronic health conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction.
- Being overweight.
- Certain medical treatments, such as prostate surgery or radiation treatment for cancer.
- Injuries, particularly if they damage the nerves or arteries that control erections.
- Medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines and medications to treat high blood pressure, pain or prostate conditions.
- Psychological conditions, such as stress, anxiety or depression
- Drug and alcohol use
Analysis of all 11 studies combined found a statistically significant effect of statins on erectile function in men who had both high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction.
- Erectile dysfunction now considered as an early sign of silent cardiovascular disorder and hidden atherosclerosis and important parameter of vascular health.
- Many Diabetic and cardiac patients (especially who GOOGLE or related to medical profession) stop taking statin or take less than the prescribed dose with a fear that statin may cause erectile dysfunction.
- Some previous studies reported that statin might induce erectile dysfunction through reduction of circulating testosterone level, induction of peripheral neuropathy and cognitive deficits.
- But most of recent studies illustrated that statin lead to a significant improvement in erectile function through amelioration of penile endothelial dysfunction, penile neuronal reflexes which are interrelated during sexual excitation and penile erection.
- Statin advanced endothelial nitric oxide concentration through activation and upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase which increase penile blood flow and improved erectile function.
- In a press release by American College of Cardiology based upon meta-analysis including 11 randomized controlled trials state that statins are associated with a significant (24.3%) improvement in erectile function (https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2014/03/29/09/00/kostis-erectile-function).
- In my clinical practice, sometimes I conusel my patients regarding benefit of statin on sexual health to make him compliant with lipid lowering medications!
Dr. M Saifuddin
MBBS (DMC, K-56)
FCPS (Med), MD (Endo), FRCP (Ireland)
Assistant professor (Endocrinology)
Dhaka Medical College &
Author, FAQs in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Platform Academic Division / Ariful Islam Neloy