Approximately 30 million American men, or half of all men ages 40 to 70, have erectile dysfunction (ED) or trouble achieving or sustaining an erection. The common causes of ED are medication, lifestyle, psychology and surgery. But there are still some causes that may make you surprised.
Here are four surprising factors that may your risk of developing ED.
1. Periodontitis
Having periodontitis — chronically inflamed and infected gums — may increase your risk of erectile dysfunction. Although there is a link between gum disease and ED in mice, the association between periodontitis and ED in human is still unclear.
Gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease, another risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
2. Bicycling
In the iron-age, the Scythians, Iranian horsemen, identified a link between horseback riding and impotence in the 9th century B.C.
Nowadays, long-distance bicycling may increase your risk of erectile dysfunction. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, percent of male bicyclists who spent at least three hours per week in the saddle experienced moderate to severe erectile dysfunction, while only about 1 percent of runners who were the same age experienced ED.
When you cycle in a long-distance and overtime, the nerves and arteries that carry blood to the pennies can become damaged and result in decreased blood flow to the penis and risk of ED.
3. Diabetes
The nerves and small blood vessels that control erections and allow blood flow to the penis can also be damaged by poorly regulated blood sugar. According to the National Institutes of Health, US, men who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men without diabetes.
4. High blood pressure
High blood pressure may increase the risk of ED because to keep an erection, you need healthy blood vessels and sufficient blood flow. Uncontrolled hypertension damages blood vessels in the body, making them less elastic and less able to transport blood the same volume of blood quickly.