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One common disorder is erectile dysfunction (ED). In the United States, about 30 million men are estimated to be affected. Men with ED are having a difficult time getting an erection and maintaining it.
It occurs sometimes with most men not being able to get or sustain an erection. ED is diagnosed when a man has trouble regularly.
ED is caused by a range of factors including poor heart health. High cholesterol levels can have an effect on your heart health.
Will high cholesterol treatment help treat ED, too? Research suggests it can have a slight effect.
What the research says
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of ED which is a narrowing of the blood vessels. Many can lead to atherosclerosis, including high cholesterol. This is because high blood cholesterol levels can cause cholesterol to build up in the arteries. That, in turn, can narrow those vessels of blood. Researchers have also established a link between ED and high cholesterol, otherwise known as hypercholesterolemia. The relation is not yet completely understood, but it has prompted researchers to explore the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs to treat ED.Statins and erectile dysfunction (ED)
Statins are drugs for reducing cholesterol levels. Researchers reported changes in erectile function after treatment of high cholesterol with atorvastatin (Lipitor) in a 2017 study on rats. Niveaus of lipids remained unchanged. The researchers concluded that better erectile function was not the result of a decline in cholesterol levels, but rather an endothelium improvement. An internal surface in the blood vessels in the endothelium. An earlier review of the literature from 2014 also found evidence that over time, statins could improve ED. On the other hand, a 2009 study found evidence suggesting that lipid-lowering drugs can cause or aggravate ED. Men have recovered from ED in more than half of the reported cases after they stopped taking statins. A review of a cohort in 2015 found no link between statins and increased risk of ED or sexual dysfunctions. ED is not mentioned as a common side effect of statins, either. More research is needed to understand better the relationship between statins and ED.Cholesterol, Diet, and ED
Eating foods rich in cholesterol would not inherently impact the cholesterol levels in your blood. That said, what you eat still has the power to influence your ED. Recent studies indicate that eating a healthy diet, especially the Mediterranean diet, can lead to improved symptoms. Mediterranean diet staples include:- fish and other seafood, such as shrimp and oysters
- fruits, such as apples, grapes, strawberries, and avocados
- vegetables, such as tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and onions
- whole grains, such as barley and oats
- healthy fats, such as olives and extra-virgin olive oil
- nuts, such as almonds and walnuts
- foods high in trans fats, such as margarine, frozen pizza, and fast food
- foods made with added sugar
- certain vegetable oils, including canola oil
- processed meats and other foods
- obesity
- type 2 diabetes
- chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- plaque buildup in the penis
- surgeries for bladder cancer
- injuries caused by treatment for prostate cancer
- injuries to the penis, spinal cord, bladder, pelvis, or prostate
- drinking, smoking or using certain drugs
- mental or emotional stress
- depression
- anxiety
- blood pressure medications
- prostate cancer therapy
- antidepressants
- prescription sedatives
- appetite suppressants
- ulcer drugs
- The inability to erect when you want sex, even though you can get an erection at other times
- Get an erection but can’t hold it long enough to have sex
- Not being able to get an erection
Treatment options
There are various ways to treat ED, from everyday lifestyle improvements to regular drugs. Options for treating ED include:- talk therapy or couples counseling
- switching medications if you suspect a medication is causing ED
- testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
- using a penis pump
- Avanafil (Avana), sildenafil (Kamagra oral jelly), tadalafil (tadalista), and Vardenafil (Vilitra)
- the injectable form of alprostadil (Caverject, Edex)
- the pill suppository form of alprostadil (MUSE)
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