What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a person has difficulty getting or maintaining an erection on a regular basis. It is very common and affects 18 million American men. About 42% of men over 60 will suffer from erectile dysfunction.
Occasional erection problems are not a problem, but it is important to see a doctor if these symptoms occur frequently:
- Inability to have an erection
- It is not possible to maintain an erection
- A little desire for sex.
What is the main cause of erectile dysfunction?
Although mental health sometimes plays a role in erectile dysfunction, it is primarily caused by physical health issues that restrict blood flow to the penis. The most common factors that lead to erectile dysfunction are:
- Metabolic disorders (such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol)
- Prostate disorders
- Sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia)
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Smoke cigarettes
- Depression and stress
Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, play a key role in erectile dysfunction. This is because high blood pressure, high body mass index and high cholesterol contribute to hardening of the arteries and restrict blood flow to the penis. Erectile dysfunction is often taken as a warning signal that other heart and arterial problems may arise in the future.
In combination with these risk factors, age plays an important role in erectile dysfunction and increases the likelihood of developing symptoms of erectile dysfunction as a person ages. A side effect of some medications is also that they lower blood pressure and make it difficult to maintain an erection.
Cannabis and erectile dysfunction
When it comes to the relationship between marijuana and erectile dysfunction, it’s important to think critically about the parts of the plant that can have negative effects. Is it the smoke itself? Or rather, do the psychoactive compounds in cannabis lead to erectile dysfunction?
To better understand this, we will first look at the effects of smoking (tobacco cigarettes) on erectile dysfunction.
Does Cigarette Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Smoking is strongly associated with erectile dysfunction as it has dramatic negative effects on the cardiovascular system. While the toxic chemicals in the smoke are partly to blame, the nicotine itself is also a factor. In fact, even the use of e-cigarettes or vaping is associated with erectile dysfunction (although it seems safer than smoking).
Studies have shown that the risk of erectile dysfunction is higher with higher exposure to smoke. This means that there is a dose-dependent effect: the more cigarettes per day and the longer a person smokes, the worse the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Does smoking marijuana cause erectile dysfunction?
We don’t fully understand the connection between erectile dysfunction and cannabis, as current research contradicts it. Some studies report that cannabis use is associated with erectile dysfunction, while others report that people who use cannabis are less likely to experience erectile dysfunction than non-users.
The link between cannabis and erectile dysfunction may be linked more to the toxic chemicals in smoke than to cannabis alone. Many toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke are also found in hemp smoke.
As with smoking, the risks appear to be higher in those who smoke more often or smoke more often. People who smoke a lot of cannabis are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.
Several studies have shown that cannabis users are less likely to suffer from diabetes, which is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. There may be a link between cannabis and metabolic disorders, but more studies are needed to confirm if there is any real risk or benefit in erectile dysfunction.
Does Marijuana Cause Infertility?
Current scientific research is unclear and contradictory. Although the side effects of cannabis can be seen in lab experiments, cannabis does not appear to affect actual pregnancies or live births.
Does Cannabis Improve Sex?
Smoking marijuana is unlikely to last longer in bed or prolong your orgasm. However, studies show that people who use cannabis not only have sex more often than non-users, but cannabis also makes sex more fun. This improvement in well-being and sexual satisfaction applies to both women and men.
While cannabis is not an effective treatment for men with erectile dysfunction, it can be an important therapy for women’s sexual health by relieving pelvic pain during sex.
Effective treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Healthy lifestyle options have a huge impact on erectile dysfunction. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are important for cardiovascular health, which is directly linked to erectile dysfunction.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction is done on an individual basis, so it’s important that you develop a plan with your healthcare provider. There are several drugs approved by the FDA that are very effective in treating erectile dysfunction, including sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis). There are also several important lifestyles that can improve your symptoms and overall cardiovascular health:
- To quit smoking
- Exercise regularly and lose weight
- Eat a low cholesterol diet
- Conclusion
In generally healthy people, cannabis does not appear to cause erectile dysfunction or impair fertility. However, there are quite contradictory studies that find it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion about the potential harm of cannabis. However, it seems clear that excessive cannabis use, especially when smoking, can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Although cannabis is not a drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, studies suggest that it may promote sexual health by increasing sexual desire and satisfaction. The best way to treat erectile dysfunction is to talk to your health care provider about lifestyle changes and medications.