Your overall health can affect your sexual health. While the “classic” symptoms of Erection problems are obvious, more people are learning that diseases like diabetes and heart disease are associated with poor erection health.

This post lists several symptoms that people may not realize are possible harbingers of erection problems. Symptoms may include lack of morning erections, loss of interest in sex, new medications, vitamin D deficiency, and gum disease – to name a few.

In these cases, men should consider erection problems as a symptom of an overarching health problem and make lifestyle changes to improve their health. Here are four unusual symptoms that are directly or indirectly tied to erection problems and what you can do to treat them.

What are the Traditional Causes of Erection Problems?

Men who are overweight are more likely to report erection problems. Nerve disease and psychological disorders all contribute to the problem. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also contribute to erectile dysfunction. Alcohol and tobacco or other recreational drugs can be the cause. Erection problems do not come naturally as a result of aging, although older men do struggle with this disorder more frequently.

WebMD cites a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health study showing 18 million men over the age of 20 years old have some form or degree of erectile dysfunction.

To reduce the incidence of erectile dysfunction, consider starting a weight loss regimen along with avoiding smoking and drinking. Whenever possible, lessen the amount of stress you’re under in order to avoid even a temporary problem with ED. Typically, erection problems are treated with Viagra or other medications that improve the blood flow to the penis. Lifestyle changes can also help men regain their sexual health.

As for causes of erection problems you might not expect, vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, gum disease, and sleep apnea may all be influential.

#1 — Vitamin D and Erection Problems

We’re well aware of the causal factors that can lead to impotence: smoking and drinking, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression and anxiety – and more. But it appears that lacking vitamin D should now be added to the extensive list of things that can cause erection problems.

It’s true that vitamin D deficiency has been all the rage lately. Doctors are now offering testing during annual exams to screen for the disorder. WebMD says that vitamin D primarily comes from sun exposure, is found in a few foods like fish and egg yolks, and in fortified milk and grains. Vitamin D helps the bones stay stronger but there’s also a correlation with cognitive impairment, asthma, and even cancer.

But scientists have found that a lack of vitamin D can also contribute to erection problems. One study followed 3,400 U.S. males ages 20 or older. The study concluded that men who had a vitamin D deficiency were 32% more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men who did not lack the “sunshine vitamin.”

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency includes vitamin supplements, a slightly increased exposure to the sun, and moderately increasing fish or dairy in the diet.

#2 — Osteoporosis and Erection Problems

Interestingly, another study showed a correlation between erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a silent but chronic disorder of the bones that cause them to weaken. Generally, we hear more about osteoporosis as a disease affecting women. But the 2016 study of more than 4,000 men ages 40 and up showed that men are also highly affected by the disorder.

The targeted group during this study had also been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. The study showed that osteoporosis had developed in 264 of these patients and men with ED were three times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men without ED. The study suggested that perhaps the men with ED had less testosterone than men without erection problems. This may have contributed to the osteoporosis. The study also postulated that perhaps inflammation was another issue with these men that may cause their erection problems.

Finally, the study wondered if the men were suffering from low vitamin D levels, which caused the weakening of their bones. Clearly, men with erection problems should also be screened for osteoporosis. Physicians measure this with a bone mineral density test, which is non-invasive and low cost.

Some of the preventative measures that men can take to combat osteoporosis include:

• Take 1,000mgs of calcium every day.
• Take 600 IU of vitamin D every day.
• Obtain plenty of sunlight.

As always, discuss these issues with your doctor to help plot an effective course of treatment.

#3 – Erection Problems and Gum Disease

While this may seem like a stretch, The Journal of Sexual Medicine is reporting that men with erection problems are three times more likely to suffer from erection dysfunction. The issue is inflammation. Gum diseases manifest itself as bleeding gums and problems with the bone structure in the mouth. This triggers an immune system response that can affect the entire body. As immune cells flock to the mouth, bacteria from the gums can leak into the bloodstream. Blood flow is negatively affected, which can cause erectile dysfunction. While treating periodontal disease with improved oral hygiene, correcting the erection problems is a different treatment modality altogether. While improving the overall health is the goal, if erection problems persist, Viagra is typically prescribed.

#4 – Sleep Apnea and Erection Problems

If you’re too tired for sex, or if you have the desire but also have an erection problem, it could be a lack of sleep that’s negatively affecting your sexual health. Many men suffer from apnea, which is a serious problem where you actually stop breathing during sleep. The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) says obstructive sleep apnea causes the tissue at the back of the throat to collapse, which blocks the airway. This causes a stopping and starting of sleep that is disruptive and ultimately very tiring. Almost 70% of men who have this disorder also suffer from sleep apnea. A lack of sleep can also cause testosterone to drop, which also is a causal factor in ED.

When you lack sleep, you also feel stressed and fatigued. This is another complication that can cause erection problems. Interestingly, if the obstructive sleep apnea is improved, often so is the erectile dysfunction, according to the ISSM. Wearing a mask at night to sleep typically treats sleep apnea. The treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy mask pushes air to the back of the throat, keeping the airway open and helping men get more rest.

Staying Healthy All Over

The studies have shown that erection problems occur frequently in men over the age of 40. In fact, it is the most common sexual problem found in American men over that age. If you’re experiencing this disorder, it’s important to see your doctor. Have a candid talk with your provider by asking some of the following questions:

• Could I have a hidden illness that is contributing to my ED?
• Am I taking a medication that is causing the problem?
• Could stress be causing my erection problem?
• Could I take Viagra or some other medication to improve the issue?

While high blood pressure or obesity can lead to erection problems, these disorders are very treatable. High blood pressure can actually damage the blood vessels in the body, which causes them to lose elasticity. This makes it harder for the blood to flow to all areas of the body, including the penis.

Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the high blood pressure along with a regimen of diet and exercise. Too, the physician may prescribe Viagra to help remedy the erection problems stemming from the primary health disorder.

Too, antidepressants like Paxil or Prozac could be the cause of your erection problems. These drugs make it harder for hormones that signal sexual arousal to be released.

Treatment for Erection Problems

If you begin to notice sexual health issues that lead to erection problems, don’t wait to see a doctor. It’s clear that, while impotence is a very serious disorder, it could also signal other issues that could be life-threatening. If any of the symptoms in this article crop up, from erection problems to bleeding gums, go see a doctor and have a candid conversation about what can be done to correct all of the health issues plaguing you. You don’t have to live with erectile dysfunction. Correcting the underlying health issues while being prescribed Viagra are all-important steps toward regaining your health.

Viagra is the best selling medication to treat male impotence. It is made of a compound called sildenafil citrate, was the very first medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat erection problems. The medication has been on the market since 1998 and has treated millions of men for their erectile dysfunction. Viagra works to counteract the chemicals that prevent the blood flow to the penis. The medication is typically taken about an hour before sexual activity. Upon sexual arousal, the drug will work to ensure a normal sexual response. As with any medication, consult your physician to discuss your overall health and its impact on your sexual health.

Here’s our ED medication guide to help you regain your sexual health.