The Lowdown on ED, Testosterone and Prostate

Great men deserve great sex. So it makes sense to have a game plan. You’d think that something we can do in our sleep would be simple. Truth is, getting an erection is complicated. No need to update your Facebook status though, this biochemical process works best when you’re relaxed.

The secret to a harder erection can be simply a matter of understanding what’s preventing you from the erection you deserve. We look at the link between your prostate gland and erectile dysfunction (ED) to give you all the facts.

You’d think that something we can do in our sleep would be simple. Truth is, getting an erection is complicated.

• There are many possible causes of ED, both physical and psychological, and in many cases a combo of the two.¹ Depression and low levels of testosterone are common causes .²
• There’s an ongoing debate that statins (common cholesterol medications) may cause ED.³ Statins reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver – helping lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol. A recent study found that statins didn’t increase men’s risk of ED.⁴
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common causes of ED. It occurs when the prostate gland becomes enlarged. It’s not cancerous and is common in older men.⁵ Estimates have revealed that around half of all men experiencing ED have BPH.⁶
• Common symptoms of BPH include frequent urination at night, a weak urine stream, an inability to empty your bladder, strain during urination and intermittent stopping and re-starting during urination.⁷
• According to medical research, it’s common for men on prostate cancer medication to experience ED as a side effect of the prostate cancer medications. Interestingly, these ED side effects happen more often with hormone-based medications like Goserelin (Zoladex) and Leuprolide (Lupron).⁸
• Simply just having an enlarged prostate alone does not cause ED. Scientists are still uncertain why – and how –  BPH and the lower urinary tract symptoms associated with it, are linked with ED. One theory concerns the sympathetic nervous system, which studies show is hyperactive in men with BPH-associated urinary tract symptoms.⁹
• According to Prostate.net: “Nerve fibers in the sympathetic nervous system transmit signals that have an impact on stress and stress-related symptoms. An increase in these signals may lead to overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with erectile problems.”

There are many possible causes of ED, both physical and psychological, and in many cases a combo of the two.

Testosterone levels fluctuates through our lives. Normal testosterone levels range from around 300 to 1,000 nanograms per decilitre of blood. They drop steadily throughout our lives, from around the age of 18 or 19 when they peak.¹⁰

It’s not clear at the moment what the link is between low levels or lack of testosterone in the bloodstream and ED. But we do know that the testosterone hormone helps to boost our sex drive.¹¹

• Obesity lowers testosterone in men. An increase of 4 inches in waist size leads to a 75% chance of having low testosterone levels.¹²
• It’s advisable to ask your doctor for a testosterone level test, especially if you’re overweight and suffer from ED. Losing weight and using testosterone supplements could be the answer to a low sex drive.¹³
• Natural supplements are a great way to treat testosterone-related ED.¹⁴ Try D-Aspartic acid; a naturally occuring amino acid, Vitamin D; the sunshine vitamin and Tribulus; a herb use for several centuries to boost low testosterone. Fenugreek is also a good choice. In a small group test it boosted libido by 81%.¹⁵
• Ginger is also considered a good way to boost testosterone levels, although studies are inconclusive. It’s safe and has plenty of other health benefits too.¹⁶
• Weight loss is recommended in men who are overweight or obese. This will naturally help boost your testosterone levels and increase your desire to have sex.¹⁷

First step: Talk to your doctor. Then you can make the best decision for you. Time to get back in the game, for real.