Can Biking and Poor Gum Health Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
A Look at Some Unexpected Risks for Experiencing ED
It doesn’t take a lot of casual research on the topic of erectile dysfunction (ED) to understand some of the common factors that contribute to a man’s inability to achieve and maintain an erection. Though complex conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as physical trauma and hormonal issues can all cause ED, there can also be less complex variables at play.
Smoking cigarettes, excessive alcohol consumption, a poor diet replete with high-fat and sugary foods, and a lack of exercise can all contribute to the condition that affects millions of men around the world. It’s not to say that giving up tobacco, quitting a nasty drinking habit, eating healthier and getting more exercise is easy, but at least we know that those are good places to start in the quest to improve erectile function.
But there are lesser known, yet very common, things men do and ingest that can lead to trouble with erections.
Cycling
Anyone who’s ever mounted a bike knows that the thrill of riding on two-wheels can be at times outweighed by the discomfort of pressing your genitals onto a hard seat. It turns out that this discomfort can be more than an inconvenience, it can actually lead to decreased erectile function.
When a man hops on a bike, the seat compresses the area between the anus and the scrotum, known as the perineal. This compression constricts important arteries and nerves that are necessary for normal sexual function. A 2010 literature review of several studies looking to explain the association between biking and ED found the relationship between the two to be significant.
Although, with proper adaptations, like choosing a more cushy seat with a shape and size that reduces compression, and limiting sessions to less than three hours, the cardiovascular benefits of cycling could outweigh the negative impacts to erectile function.
Plastics and Canned Foods
You’ve likely never heard of Bisphenol A (BPA), but you’ve almost certainly come into contact with it. BPA is a widely-used chemical in the production of polycarbonate plastics like water bottles and food packaging. It is also used to make epoxy resin, which is applied as a coating to canned food containers, as well as bottle tops and water pipes.
A Chinese study found that men exposed to high-levels of BPA in occupational settings were at a much higher risk of developing sexual dysfunction issues like ED, difficulties with ejaculation and an overall less satisfying sex-life. Further, a study of laboratory rats given BPA in their drinking water saw a 58 percent reduction in testosterone.
Of course, the amount of exposure, and how you’re exposed, to BPA is an important factor in whether or not it contributes to ED.
Gum Health
Given the distance between mouth and penis, you might think that the two have nothing in common. But if you’re familiar with the catchy tune from your childhood entitled Dem Bones, you’ll recall that the hand bone’s connected to the arm bone, and so forth.
Bacteria found in the mouth can make its way into the bloodstream and mix with plaque to cause buildup in arteries and blood vessels. If these buildups begin to impede blood flow to the penis, erections can be hard to come by.
A large review of studies looking at the association between chronic periodontitis (inflamed gums) and erectile dysfunction found there was a positive association between the two. So, if you were still looking for a reason to start flossing once a day, improving erectile function might do the trick.
Hair loss medication
A common drug used to treat male-pattern baldness, called Propecia, has been observed to cause erectile dysfunction in men of all ages who were otherwise healthy. A study of 71 men 21–46 years of age found that 65 subjects (92 percent) experienced erectile dysfunction up to three months after discontinuing use of finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia).
Though health warnings have begun to include the risk of sexual dysfunction in men even after discontinuation, several lawsuits have been launched against the maker of the drug. Talk to your doctor before taking finasteride to understand all the potential side-effects.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) is a disorder in which people literally stop breathing for 10–30 seconds at a time, several times a night due to a blockage in the airway. In Canada alone, public health officials estimate 5.4 million people have been diagnosed or at high risk of developing some form of SAS.
Because these bursts of breathlessness are so short, those experiencing SAS don’t usually wake up in the middle of the night. Rather, they notice symptoms throughout the day like sleepiness during the day and even low-sex drive. Often, whoever has the privilege of sharing a bed with the SAS sufferer notices extremely loud snoring followed by periods of silence.
A study of 50 men found a strong correlation between those who experienced symptoms related to SAS and erectile dysfunction. Another study confirmed that men who were diagnosed with severe sleep apnea were far more likely to develop ED.
The elements on this list may come as a surprise to many. And thinking that habits as innocuous as going for long bike rides or eating canned foods could disrupt erectile function can be worrisome.
But treating signs of ED could be as simple as modifying behaviour, or paying a visit to your doctor. As always, medical professionals are the best resources for determining the best approach to treating ED. So go see your doctor if you need help.
