Erectile dysfunction is becoming increasingly common, but you’re unlikely to know — it’s not exactly a topic most men are comfortable with discussing. Yet, despite the shame and stigma surrounding it, erectile dysfunction is ultimately a health problem, as is the interlinked problem of low libido. Both issues come down to blood flow and low testosterone levels.
Men who have erectile dysfunction and low libido are often so embarrassed that they won’t even tell medical professionals about what they’re experiencing, leaving doctors to get the information out of them through extensive questionnaires or blood work.
So, if you’re currently struggling with erectile dysfunction or related men’s health issues, you’re certainly not alone. Here are a few possible explanations for your condition.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
You might think that everything you need to know about erectile dysfunction is in the name, but that’s only because there’s so much misinformation surrounding the topic.
Here are the five most common culprits behind the condition.
Too little exercise
It might feel a lack of exercise is blamed for just about every health problem under the sun, but that’s because it really is essential to keeping our bodies in tip-top condition. The link between working out and sexual performance and increased testosterone is proven — and exercise will also boost your overall health, so what have you got to lose?
Low DHEA levels
DHEA is a hormone that acts as a precursor to testosterone and helps us with our sexual functioning. Therefore, low levels of DHEA can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Fortunately, it’s easy to test for DHEA and testosterone levels in a blood panel.
Magnesium deficiency
Magnesium is an essential nutrient for humans, and it’s especially important for maintaining testosterone levels. Yet low levels of magnesium is also a simple problem to solve — consuming 10 mg per kilogram of body weight is enough to boost testosterone levels in a matter of weeks.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause a wide variety of health problems, and one of them is low testosterone levels. However, taking supplements will quickly nip the problem in the bud, increasing testosterone levels by 25%.
Excess estrogen
Although men’s bodies need a limited amount of estrogen, having too much of it can be problematic. An enzyme in the liver converts testosterone to estrogen in males, but in some cases, this process goes too far and causes excess estrogen levels.
Time to get back on track
Finding yourself with low libido or erectile dysfunction might feel like an insurmountable problem, but there’s often a root cause that you can address fairly simply. The first step is having your blood work done, after which medical professionals will review it and look for solutions. Speak with our experts today to get your life back on track!
