Experts have identified a commonly overlooked factor that could contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED), and the good news is it can be addressed.
Erectile dysfunction, which occurs when a man struggles to achieve or maintain an erection, affects a significant number of men—around 30 to 50 million in the US alone, according to the NIH. It can have wide-ranging effects on a man’s mental well-being and sexual health.
While various factors such as stress, trauma, and physical health problems can contribute to ED, a team of scientists has discovered that a deficiency in a specific nutrient could be playing a major role in the condition. This deficiency can be treated effectively once it is identified.
The researchers, from the Complutense University of Madrid, published their findings in The British Journal of Pharmacology, linking vitamin D deficiency with erectile dysfunction. Their study revealed that men with this deficiency often experience dysfunction in the corpora cavernosa, the spongy tissue in the penis crucial for achieving an erection.
Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common, affecting about one billion people globally and 35% of adults in the United States. This vitamin is essential for regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the body, helping to maintain healthy bones, teeth, and muscles—and it seems it’s also important for sexual health.
Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D, as it triggers its production in the skin. However, during periods of bad weather or the darker months, health experts suggest taking vitamin D supplements or consuming foods rich in the vitamin, such as mackerel, salmon, and eggs.
The researchers conducted a study where they analyzed tissue samples from men with vitamin D deficiency. They found that these men had weaker responses when the tissue was electrically stimulated, compared to those with sufficient levels of the nutrient. Interestingly, they also observed lower levels of a protein, SLPI, in these men’s blood, which helps repair tissue damage in the area.
In further tests with rats, those lacking vitamin D showed less responsiveness to Viagra, unlike those with normal vitamin D levels.
Dr. Miguel Olivencia, a lead researcher, noted, “Our findings suggest that a lack of vitamin D may contribute to the inability to respond to first-line ED treatments like Viagra. Restoring vitamin D levels in patients with both deficiencies and ED could improve sexual performance.”