High cholesterol level – A Cause of Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation

We all know the impact of high cholesterol level on heart health. Little did we know the impact of high cholesterol on sexual health of a man. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are most common sexual problems and so is the condition of high cholesterol in the blood.

Understanding cholesterol

There are 2 types of cholesterol –

• Good cholesterol (HDL) – Good cholesterol is necessary to maintain certain body functions, building new tissues and is required for production of bile and sex hormones.
• Bad cholesterol (LDL) – High cholesterol level (LDL) is associated with various health problems including sexual dysfunction in men.

When the blood cholesterol level is high it indicates deposition of fatty material on the inner wall of the arteries. This condition of the arteries goes hand in hand with erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation

Both the conditions can affect men in all age groups, the risk of sexual dysfunction increases with advancing age. There are no signs of high cholesterol level until an emergency occurs but if you have difficulty in erection problem or having premature ejaculation, it may be a sign of high cholesterol level.

How the narrowing of arteries causes erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation?

Let us first understand how the erection works. Under sexual stimulation the male body releases hormones that relaxes the blood vessels in the penis. As a result, the arteries (blood vessels) are filled with blood and this causes erection in the penis.

High cholesterol level causes erectile dysfunction in following ways –

• The deposition of fats in the inner part of the blood vessels or when the cholesterol level is high it causes blockage in the arteries and this restricts blood flow in the genital area
• With high cholesterol level the body finds it difficult to produce hormones causing erection
• The relaxation of tissues in the penis is compromised due to inability of the body to release nitric oxide. This causes ED and premature ejaculation.
• It lowers the production of testosterone (male hormone), a hormone required to begin and maintain the erection
• Too much body fat converts testosterone (male hormone) to estradiol (female hormone)
• There are various health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, obesity, etc that are linked to high cholesterol level. All these conditions may develop erectile dysfunction in men and also cause premature ejaculation.

Can I reduce the high cholesterol level?

By incorporating healthy lifestyle and dietary habits you can avoid the deposition of bad cholesterol. Fatty foods such as full cream milk, cheese, deep fried foods must be avoided. This will benefit by increasing the proportion of good cholesterol.

Eating unsaturated fatty foods such as nuts, seeds, vegetable oil, avocados, etc reduces the bad cholesterol level. Foods rich in soluble fibre such as oats, barley, bread, wholegrain cereals, etc benefits by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the blood.

Take away

Most of the adults have high cholesterol level and there are many who do not have any sign or symptoms of high cholesterol level. Apart from serious health conditions the high cholesterol level affects sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. With a proper balanced diet and lifestyle modification one can manage high cholesterol level and prevent erectile dysfunction.