Blog

Can Belly Fat Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

can belly fat cause erectile dysfunction

Losing weight is something that we all strive to achieve for a variety of reasons, but can belly fat cause erectile dysfunction? The short answer is, it can. Not only does an ever-growing waistline increase the number on the scale, it also increases the risk of all sorts of health conditions, including erectile dysfunction (ED).

What many people don’t realize is that erectile dysfunction is often a symptom of underlying health issues. While some men experience ED because of poor blood circulation and heart issues, others have an inability to get or maintain an erection because of excess fat.

Being overweight or obese is known to increase the risk of all sorts of health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. There may also be a connection between being overweight and ED as well.

Wondering can belly fat cause erectile dysfunction? Want to know does losing weight help erectile dysfunction? Keep reading to learn about the connection between weight loss and ED.

Low Testosterone’s Role In Belly Fat and Erectile Dysfunction

It’s not uncommon for men who have a large amount of belly fat to also have lower than normal testosterone levels that may require treatment. In fact, men who have low testosterone levels are at an increased risk of weight gain due to high levels of estrogen and cortisol.

Low testosterone has also been linked to things such as:

  • Irritability and depression
  • Muscle loss
  • Low libido
  • Hair loss
  • Erectile dysfunction

Many studies about low testosterone have found a connection between high BMI numbers and low testosterone levels. Research has shown that losing weight does help to increase testosterone production, which can resolve erectile dysfunction or impotence.

Some men who lose weight often gain lean muscle and find that their testosterone levels return to normal, which allows them to enjoy normal sexual stamina and performance again.

How Poor Blood Circulation Negatively Impacts ED

As most men already know, achieving an erection requires increased blood flow to the penile region. There are many health conditions that can inhibit the heart’s ability to push blood efficiently throughout the body, including inflammation, hypertension, and other conditions that are often associated with obesity.

Many of these conditions damage the inner lining of the blood vessels. This makes it much harder, if not impossible, for increased amounts of blood to reach the penis in order to achieve an erection.

Those who are obese also tend to eat diets that are high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and cholesterol. Eating a low quality diet can also impact heart and circulatory health by causing the arteries to narrow and harden. This is known as atherosclerosis and also impacts the ability for blood to flow freely.

Weight Loss and Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms Due to Metabolic Syndrome

Another common condition that those with excess belly fat face is metabolic syndrome. This is a series of symptoms, such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar, along with excessive weight in the midsection. Metabolic syndrome can lead to erectile dysfunction, as the symptoms of the condition can damage the blood vessels and cause other issues with heart health and blood flow.

Can Weight Loss Help With Erectile Dysfunction?

weight loss and erectile dysfunction

The good news is that weight loss can minimize, if not completely cure, erectile dysfunction. In fact, losing weight may be the best way to restore healthy erectile function.

One study that looked at the connection between weight loss and erectile dysfunction found promising results. More than 30% of the men in the weight loss study reported regaining their normal sexual function. They also showed reduced inflammatory and oxidative markers, which can also impact the ability to get or maintain an erection.

The study also showed that men don’t have to take drastic measures in order to lose weight to cure their ED. Participants simply ate 300 fewer calories each day and exercised more throughout the week. Eating less and moving more is usually the most effective way to lose excess pounds and belly fat.

The benefit of losing weight is two-fold. First, losing weight greatly improves your physical health. Any conditions such as high blood pressure that may cause ED can be cured by simply dropping a few pounds. Eating a healthier diet will prevent further narrowing and blockages in your arteries, which allows blood to travel more efficiently.

Losing weight also offers the benefit of feeling more confident and having increased self-esteem. When you feel and look your best, it’s much easier to keep bedroom anxiety out the door. Feeling good about yourself and having a positive self-image can work wonders in regards to sexual performance and stamina.

Tips for Losing Weight and Getting Rid of Belly Fat to Help ED

losing weight belly fat to help erectile dysfunction

To get rid of belly fat and other pockets of visceral fat to help erectile dysfunction, there are several life changes that you’ll want to make. The fact is that there is no shortcut to losing weight and regaining control of your health. Losing weight and keeping it off requires long-term lifestyle changes that will serve you now and for years to come.

Some of the most effective ways to lose fat include:

  • Eating a balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Swapping sugary drinks for low calorie/low sugar options
  • Drinking more water, which increases lipolysis and a loss of fat in medical studies
  • Exercising more often with a combination of resistance training, cardiovascular exercises and stretching

Manage Weight Loss to Regain Control Over Your Sexual Health

Getting rid of unwanted pounds doesn’t mean that you’re stuck eating rabbit food. It also doesn’t mean that you have to say goodbye to your favorite foods, either. Instead, eating a balanced, wholesome diet is all about limiting processed and junk foods. Focus on fresh items that offer a high nutritional value.

Aside from cleaning up your diet, exercise is just as, if not more important. Moving more throughout the day means that your body will use calories and stored fat for energy. What’s important is that you find an activity that you like.

Exercising doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym or hitting the pavement, it could mean incorporating kegels into your workout routine. Running and lifting weights only scratch the surface in terms of exercise. Hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming are all great options that burn plenty of calories.

But remember, you can’t exercise out a bad diet when it comes to weight loss. The key to losing weight is to embrace both healthy eating and a healthy exercise regimen.

By getting rid of excess belly fat and losing weight, you’ll notice a huge difference in your overall health. Most importantly, you can regain control over your sexual health and finally start to feel confident again in the bedroom.

If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction and are seeking ED treatment in Atlanta or PE therapy, call the team at Priority Men’s Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with an experienced and specially trained medical staff.

Can Men with High Blood Pressure Take Viagra?

Can you still take Viagra with high blood pressure medication? Should you be taking Viagra at all if you have high blood pressure (hypertension)? Men have difficulty dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED) as is. But if they suffer from another health issue like having…

How Men Can Fix Erectile Dysfunction Caused By COVID-19

Years into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s safe to say that the worst of the virus has come and gone. While many have moved on scot-free, the virus continues to cause long-term complications to a select few, of which erectile dysfunction is one. While many…

Can Thyroid Problems Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

In a world where a man is defined by his sexual prowess, erectile dysfunction can very well lead to insecurities in a man’s sex and social life. Erectile dysfunction is a widespread condition, often mistaken that it’s only caused by aging. However, aging isn’t…

Do Blood Pressure Medications Make Men Impotent?

Many men are actively aware of how high blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction. As a crash course explanation, the continuous damage to the blood vessels caused by HBP can decrease the blood volume being brought to the penis, causing impotence. The natural…

ED and Sunlight: How Sunshine May Help Erectile Dysfunction

Make no mistake: the list of causes for erectile dysfunction is quite versatile. Some ED sources, like cardiovascular disease and unhealthy eating habits, are easily trackable and have a clear path to resolution. However, some ED risk factors are a little bit more subtle…

Osteoporosis and Erectile Dysfunction in Men: The Connection

It’s not hard to imagine that a man’s health declines as he approaches his senior years. And during this period of elderliness, they may be more prone to developing two serious health conditions: osteoporosis and erectile dysfunction (ED). Though it might not be immediately…

5 Benefits of Yoga for Erectile Dysfunction

Affecting over 150 million men, erectile dysfunction is the bane of a man’s sex life. Impotence can be a deeply demoralizing experience, leaving those afflicted with feelings of humiliation and insecurity. Even as the world progresses and becomes more accepting, it’s still difficult for…

Can Testosterone Therapy Help Weight Loss?

You’ve been taking small steps on eating the proper diet, exercising rigorously, and taking all the right supplements. But at the end of the day, do you still feel like the number on the weighing scale just won’t budge? If so, don’t worry. Many…

The Top 5 ED Causes That Shockwave Therapy Treats

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a widespread sexual condition that affects around 151 million men around the world. Moreover, ED affects nearly half of all men aged 40-70 years old. A variety of things can contribute to the development of ED—age, preexisting medical conditions, and…

How Long Does Shockwave Therapy Take to Treat ED?

When the subject of erectile dysfunction treatments gets brought up, people’s minds usually turn to ED medications like Viagra or external devices strapped to their penis. And, true enough, these remedies are readily available for cases of erectile dysfunction. While ED pills are common,…

7 Surprising Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

It’s normal to experience sexual off days from time to time. What’s not normal is a persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection. This condition is known as erectile dysfunction, or ED for short. There are multiple reasons why men experience ED. This…

Bioidentical vs Traditional Testosterone Replacement Therapy

With the advancement of technology over the years, there have been great strides in improvement in the medical field. Bioidentical hormone therapy is one such development in the world of medical science. This therapeutic procedure uses processed hormones that mimic the hormones made by…

Underactive Bladder? 4 Facts Men Need to Know

Did you know? Frequent urination and urinary incontinence are signs of an overactive bladder (OAB). It’s a prevalent urinary condition that mostly affects aged men, causing a great deal of shame and embarrassment for patients. An underactive bladder, on the other hand, has the…

5 Believable Myths about Premature Ejaculation, Debunked

Sexual dysfunction in various forms, including premature ejaculation, is often shrouded in mystery for many people—and it’s not because of a lack of scientific research. This topic is usually swept under the rug since many men would rather uphold their sexual dignity than admit…

Bladder Spasms: Signs, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Was there a time when you felt a sudden need to urinate—and it ended up hurting tremendously when you attempted to release urine? If so, you might be suffering a urinary condition known as a bladder spasm. Many men suffer from this medical condition,…

Can Vaping Cause Erectile Dysfunction in Men?

Extensive studies spanning decades of research have revealed that cigarette smoking is a key contributor to the development of erectile dysfunction. But is vaping linked to erectile dysfunction too? Turns out, there is a significant association between vaping and erectile dysfunction. And the evidence…

What to Do After an Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis

Have you been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and are looking for more information on what to do next? It finally happened. After months of agony and unsatisfying sex, you finally get the dreaded results of your physical exam: you are clinically diagnosed with erectile…
Proudly Featured On
ESPN Radio logo
ABC News logo
Fox News Radio logo
CBS Sports Radio logo
NBC Sports Radio logo