Male Sexual Dysfunction
including Erectile Dysfunction

Excessive exercise associated with body-building or performance training can suppress sexual function, partly as a result of increased stress [see above]. This phenomena is well known in women, where loss of menstrual function is one component of the "female athletic triad".

Atherosclerosis of the arteries serving the genital area limits blood from flowing into the penis to enlarge it.

Proper coordination of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is necessary to produce erection and ejaculation.

• Problems in the spine can prevent proper functioning or one or both of these parts of the nervous system.
• Metabolic problems such as diabetes can damage small nerves controlling erection and ejaculation.

• Reduces GnRH [suppresses hypothalamic-pituitary function]
• Sleep apnea
• One week of sleep loss can reduce testosterone production by 15% [Leproult2011  🕮 ].

• Increased levels of inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 reduces testosterone levels [Maggio2008  🕮 ].

• Statins [reduce production of cholesterol and all other steroid hormones including testosterone] [Neel2019].
• Fibrates [reduce absorption of cholesterol] [Neel2019].
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone [see Excess Cortisol above] [Neel2019].
• Opiates.
• Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium) [Neel2019].
• Anti-depression medications such as SSRIs (e.g. Prozac), dopamine antagonists, tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and lithium [Neel2019].
• Blood pressure medications such as spironolactone, beta blockers [Neel2019].
• Antipsychotics [Neel2019].
• Cetrotide (cetrorelix) a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist used to block FSH and LH production.
• H-2 blockers, especially cimetidine/Tagamet [Neel2019].
• Anticonvulsants [Neel2019].
• Estrogens and progestins, including birth control pills [suppress GnRH production].
• Sulfonylureas [suppresses testosterone and thyroid]
• Anti-androgens to treat hair-loss, prostate cancer, or hirsutism (e.g. finasteride/Proscar, dutasteride/Avodart, flutamide/Eulexin, nilutamide/Nilandron/Anandron).
• Ketoconazole and some other antifungal drugs.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ???

• Plastic products:

  Avoid when possible, and especially do not cook in plastic containers.

  • BPA [additive in polycarbonate (#7) plastics found in cans, bottles, and food utensils] [EWG2013].
  • Phthalates [additive in plastic food containers and wrap, children's toys] [EWG2013].
• Water contaminants:

  Use water filter or glass bottled water from safe sources.

  • Atrazine [herbicide] [EWG2013].
  • Perchlorates [disrupts thyroid] [EWG2013].
  • Lead [also in dust from old paint] [EWG2013].
  • Arsenic [EWG2013].
  • Cadmium [also in tobacco smoke] [Henson2004  🕮 ].
• Food contaminants:
  • Soy, and other phytoestrogens.
  • Mercury [many fish] [EWG2013].
• Other:
  • Fire retardants [may be in dust] [EWG2013].
  • Dioxin [hard to avoid] [EWG2013].
  • perfluorinated chemicals (e.g. PTFE = Teflon) [persistent in the environment] [EWG2013].
  • Organophosphate pesticides [EWG2013].
  • Glycol esters [solvents and cosmetics] Glycol esters [EWG2013].

[Gye2012  🕮 ] have collected a summary of many studies of the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) on reproductive function in vivo and in vitro. While effects were demonstrated, the data presented was insufficient to evaluate the effects of real-world exposures; further research (and study of the referenced primary literature) is necessary to establish sufficient context.

However, Dr. Weyrich feels it is safe to say that sitting with a laptop on ones lap for prolonged periods of time may not be a good idea; however, since the strength of EMF fields decays with the cube of the distance, placing the laptop on one's desk would significantly reduce the exposure.

Light pollution disrupts circadian, lunar, solar, and other natural rhythms. Modern society has been said to live in "endless summer" due to the increasing use of electric lights and communication devices. This disrupts hormonal cycles. In particular, the use of cell phones in bed disrupts hormonal rhythms and also tends to be a "big turn-off."

The Earth itself generates low frequency electromagnetic fields that have been shown to affect fertility and other aspects of wellbeing. This benefit is prevented when an individual's body is insulated from the ground.

Walking barefoot (in safe areas) and sleeping on a specially grounded mat may therefore benefit sexual well-being of both men and women.

• Elevated insulin may contribute to erectile dysfunction, or it may simply be an effect of diabetes mellitus type II or syndrome X.
• According to [VIVO2019], "leptin appears to be a significant regulator of reproductive function. These effects are probably due in part to the ability of leptin to enhance secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, and thus luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones from the anterior pituitary."
• [Elsaied2019] have shown that "decreased adiponectin and testosterone are associated with [erectile dysfunction] in [type 2 diabetes mellitus]," but did not correlate with with the scores of international index of erectile function (IIEF), possibly due to a small number of patients studied.
• Various vitamin, mineral, protein, and fat imbalances or deficiencies can disrupt many components of the endocrine system. Note that in some cases, even though there is adequate nutritional intake, absorption may be prevented by factors including certain diseases (e.g. celiac sprue) or drug intake (e.g. antacids or certain cholesterol lowering drugs).
• Smoking or other Nicotine Intake. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that can reduce blood flow in many parts of the body, including the genitals.
• Marijuana and other recreational drugs.
• Depression, interpersonal relationship,and other psychological factors.