A man’s relationship to his penis tends to be what defines him as a man, whether or not you agree. Sexual potency is incredibly important to any relationship and when there are issues with erection, it can be more than just a physical annoyance – it can be an ego blow. There is something to the feeling that you are less of man when dealing with impotency because there is a relationship between testosterone and impotence.
Testosterone is a hormone that exists in both sexes, but is predominant in men. Hormones can impact many bodily systems and if you have ever been with a woman suffering from premenstrual syndrome, can see how that can assert itself in mood swings.
Impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED), has been found to be linked clearly to androgens. These are steroidal hormones of which testosterone is a part and they both stimulate and control the growth of male characteristics. ED is predominantly an affliction of age because of the deterioration of a number of health factors.
As men age, there are a number of diseases and disease risk factors that can come up as a result of androgen depletion. These issues are familiar to anyone going through the aging process including loss of muscle strength and mass, along with issues of bone density. Whether low testosterone causes these issues or these issues cause low testosterone is unknown, but low levels of the hormone have been targeted as a major factor in cardiovascular disease.
To talk about erectile dysfunction you should know how the penis works. Within the shaft of a penis is an area of intense vasculature, meaning it has many veins, called the corpus cavernosum. When a man is aroused there is an increase of blood flow into the corpus cavernosum that creates volume and pressure that makes up an erection. This simplistic explanation does not take into account the contributions of the neurological system and endocrine system.
Men with ED have more than just an issue with their blood flow and maintaining an erection, the structure of the penis can actually change and result in less smooth muscle within the member.
So does low testosterone create disease or does disease result in low testosterone. This chicken and egg scenario has not been elucidated, but it is known that having low testosterone can result in a disease called hypogonadism. Men afflicted with this cannot create more testosterone within their testicles and as a result have a decreased libido.
So for a man with lower testosterone the symptoms of depression, loss of sexual interest, and trouble getting an orgasm are all part of a large syndrome. Concentrations of testosterone that merit diagnosis of clinical ED range between 8 and 12 nmol per liter. Additionally, men with low levels of androgens have metabolic syndromes that can be made worse when a man is overweight or obese.
Pre-existing conditions like diabetes and obesity have been the clear indicators in the a relationship between weight, resistance to insulin, and testosterone. The penis can be thought of as a barometer for overall health and abnormal functionality should not be ignored.
Impotence is not just an inconvenience and can be a symptom of larger issues, or a precursor for other diseases like cardiovascular issues. Being overweight can snowball past hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetic risk, and shows itself through a number of symptoms including impotence. While every man experiences issues with maintaining an erection now and again, if it is consistent, there is a responsible to be seen by a doctor. Clearly there is a relationship between testosterone and impotence.
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