What’s The Link between Testosterone Deficiency And Erectile Dysfunction?

Men sometimes have trouble getting an erection when they are stressed, drink too much, or smoke. This is normal. However, if this problem happens more than half the time, it might be erectile dysfunction (ED), which needs proper treatment.

ED affects about one in five men in the EU and can be caused by various reasons, including low testosterone levels. To treat ED, it's important to find out the exact cause.

This article will explain the connection between low testosterone and ED and how it can be treated.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when men have trouble getting and keeping an erection. It's normal to have problems with erections sometimes, but if it happens often, it might be ED, which needs to be treated.

Common symptoms of ED include:

• Not being able to get an erection
  
  
• Not being able to keep an erection for long
  
  
• Low sex drive

Various things can cause ED, so doctors determine the cause to create the right treatment plan. Here are some common causes of ED:

• Health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and low testosterone
  
  
• Certain medications like tranquillizers, blood pressure medicines, and antidepressants
  
  
• Mental or emotional problems like low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and stress
  
  
• Unhealthy habits like drinking, smoking, not exercising, and being overweight

Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

If you're having trouble getting an erection, it's a good idea to see a doctor to find the right treatment. The doctor will start by asking questions and doing a physical exam. They will ask about your lifestyle, health, and medical history.

Here are some questions the doctor might ask:

• Are you active?
  
  
• Do you exercise?
  
  
• Do you smoke or drink? If yes, how often?
  
  
• Are you taking any medications?
  
  
• How long have you had these symptoms?

After asking these questions and evaluating your answers, the doctor will do a physical examination, focusing on your genitals.

They might also ask for lab tests, such as a testosterone test, urine test, ultrasound, or pelvic X-ray, to determine what's causing the problem.

The Connection Between Low Testosterone And Erectile Dysfunction

If your body isn't producing enough testosterone and your levels are below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), you might have low testosterone (low T).

Men with low T often have low sex drive and trouble getting an erection. Researchers have found that low testosterone can negatively impact your sex life.

Testosterone is connected to erections in two ways:

• Testosterone helps produce chemical messengers in the brain, like dopamine, oxytocin, and nitric oxide. These chemicals are involved in achieving and maintaining an erection.
  
  
• Testosterone also stimulates spinal nerves that affect blood vessels. These nerves send signals to the penis, relaxing certain muscles. This increases blood flow and pressure in the genitals, helping with erections.

While low testosterone can affect your sex life, it rarely causes erectile dysfunction by itself. There are many causes of ED, and sometimes, men with normal testosterone levels still have trouble with erections.

That's why it's important to identify the real cause before starting treatment. If low testosterone is the cause, your doctor might suggest testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

Other Effects Of Low Testosterone On The Body

Erectile dysfunction isn't the only sign of low testosterone. Many other symptoms can help you recognize this issue. Here are some common signs that men with low T often report:

• Low sexual desire
  
  
• Loss of muscle mass
  
  
• Mood swings
  
  
• Loss of bone strength
  
  
• Poor fatigue
  
  
• Low self-esteem
  
  
• Depressive thoughts
  
  
• Difficulty with memory
  
  
• Accumulation of body fat
  
  
• Loss of body and facial hair

If your erectile dysfunction is due to low testosterone, you might also experience some of these symptoms.

What Can Cause Low T?

Low testosterone can happen because either the testes can't produce testosterone or the brain can't send signals to the testes to make it.

If your testes don't produce enough testosterone even after getting a signal from the brain, it's called primary hypogonadism. Common causes include:

• Injury or infection of the testes
  
  
• Chemotherapy for testicular cancer
  
  
• Undescended testes
  
  
• Chromosomal disorders like Klinefelter syndrome

Sometimes, the pituitary gland and hypothalamus (parts of the brain) don't send the signals needed to start testosterone production. This is called secondary hypogonadism. Common causes include:

• Pituitary disorders
  
  
• Certain medications like antidepressants
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes
  
  
• Ageing

How Low T Is Diagnosed?

Like erectile dysfunction, low testosterone (low T) has many causes, and finding the exact cause is essential for proper treatment.

When you visit your doctor for low T, they will ask you questions and do a physical exam. You will also need a blood test to measure your serum testosterone levels, including free and total testosterone.

The blood test is normally done in the morning when testosterone levels are highest. If the first test shows low T, your doctor will ask for another test to confirm.

After confirming low T, the doctor will identify its cause. Primary and secondary hypogonadism are treated differently. However, the most common treatment for low T is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

How To Treat Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Low T?

If you have erectile dysfunction due to low testosterone (low T), testosterone replacement therapy might be the best treatment for you.

This therapy involves getting synthetic testosterone to raise your levels. Testosterone can be taken in different forms, like pills, patches, pellets, injections, and gels.

Your doctor will choose your dose based on how low your testosterone levels are and will adjust it during treatment based on how your body responds.

Many men around the world have this treatment and report benefits such as:

• Improved libido
  
  
• Better mood
  
  
• Improved self-esteem
  
  
• Increased energy levels
  
  
• Reduced depressive thoughts
  
  
• Improved symptoms of erectile dysfunction

Who Should Not Consider Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Though testosterone replacement therapy can be helpful, it has some side effects that make it unsuitable for certain people.

Suppose you have conditions like congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, prostate cancer, benign prostate hypertrophy, or breast cancer. In that case, it's best to avoid testosterone replacement therapy, as it can make these health issues worse.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction can make a man feel less confident and lower his self-esteem. You should talk to your doctor to find a solution if you have this condition.

Testosterone replacement therapy can help reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction in men with low testosterone levels. If your testosterone is below 300 ng/dL, discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment with your doctor before choosing it for ED.