Testosterone is a high-octane fuel that can be used to drive sex. What else is important when you’re having fun? Erectile function.
If your testosterone tank runs low, will a particular body part not be able to rev up for certain activities? This is a logical conclusion. Both seem to be related.
The answer isn’t as straightforward as Low testosterone = Erectile Dysfunction. Urologist Brad Gill MD, MS explains that the relationship is more complex than this basic formula. Here’s why.
Low testosterone levels and ED
According to Dr. Gill, erectile disorder (ED) and low testosterone (low T), are two very different conditions.
Low Testosterone or Male Hypogonadism is an endocrine disorder in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone. This can cause various symptoms. The main role of testosterone in the body is to power libido.
Your sex drive could be stuck in the traffic or in the slow lane if you have low T. You might just not feel like… well, doing.
The natural decline of testosterone with age is a fact, but the diagnosis of low testosterone can be made based on symptoms or other factors. This can include medical conditions, such as having BMI > 25, or an injury to the testicles or pituitary.
Erectile Dysfunction is the condition in which your penis cannot maintain an erection that is firm enough to use. This is usually due to a breakdown in the teamwork of your hormones, muscles and blood vessels that lifts your penis.
Many things can cause ED. Most common are heart and vascular diseases that affect blood flow or diabetes which causes a loss in nerve function.
Dr. Gill notes that “low T and ED are really separate issues.” “But there is a connection.”
Link between low T and ED
Erectile dysfunction is a common symptom of low THT. According to researchers, one third of men who have erectile dysfunction may also suffer from low testosterone.
Don’t be fooled by this statistic. “It is not a one to one association,” stresses Dr. Gill. Low T can co-exist with ED but it does not cause ED. “There is no direct correlation.”
Dr. Gill says that many people with low testosterone have no problem getting an erection. A higher level of testosterone doesn’t guarantee that you won’t develop ED.
Low T can cause ED by the following mechanisms.
- You don’t think about sex so much. When you are aroused (which can be both mental and physical), you will get erections. Low T can reduce those randy feelings. Dr. Gill says that sexual function can be found both above and below the belt.
- Stress. Low T can affect your mood, and as a consequence, increase stress. This can interfere with your ability get an erection.
- Factors that contribute to the same outcome. Low T can cause fatigue, which may prevent you from wanting to exercise or engage in sexual activities.
- Weight Gain. Fatigue from low T may lead to reduced physical activity, which can increase body fat. This puts you at greater risk of ED. Low T can lead to weight gain and body changes due to hormonal shifts.
- There are other conditions that can cause erection problems. Weight gain due to Low T, and reduced physical exercise are risk factors for diabetes and other diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.
Don’t assume about low-T and ED
It’s not uncommon for those with ED to assume that a lack of testosterone is the cause. National guidelines recommend that testosterone levels be checked in men and people who were born male.
“It is very common for men to ask to have their testosterone checked when they are having problems with erections,” explains Dr. Gill. “There is an assumption that this must be the cause.”
Even if they have a low T, this does not usually resolve ED. He adds, “You have to deal with them separately.” There’s no evidence to suggest that treatment of low testosterone will give you an erection.
What should you do when you are diagnosed with ED? Talk to your physician or healthcare provider.
Dr. Gill warns, “Remember that erectile problems can be a sign of other serious medical conditions.” It’s crucial to find out why this is happening. It’s not just a problem with testosterone.
