Erectile Dysfunction Nerve Damage Symptoms
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that affects about half of all men. While the incidence rises with age, it can develop in any man at any almost any point in life. ED has many possible causes. It can occur as an isolated incident, but it often results as a side effect of another medical condition.
Erections require signals from the nervous system to the penis telling arteries to open and vessels to close. These actions achieve the blood flow needed to get hard. Altered nerve function, in which a lesion or impediment disrupts the messages, can cause ED.
Nerve damage occurs from many factors, including chronic disease, injury, or toxicity. This article discusses how nerve damage causes ED, symptoms to monitor for, and treatment options. Familiarizing yourself with ED can help you spot signs early and work with a doctor to find the best treatment options for you.
How Can Nerve Damage Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Researchers estimate that 10 to 19% of ED cases result from altered nerve function. Neurogenic causes often result from another underlying health condition.
The primary causes of nerve-related ED are related to degenerative neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple system atrophy. These diagnoses are more common as men age, coinciding with their rising odds of experiencing ED.
Nerve-related ED can also result from spinal cord damage or diseases that affect the spinal column. These can range from traumatic injuries to degenerative changes over time, like spinal stenosis.
Stroke, which can happen to anyone at any time but is more common in older people, can impair nerve function and cause ED. Similarly, tumors throughout the central nervous system can compromise penile function.
Beyond conditions that directly impact the nervous system, many other chronic conditions damage nerves. Diabetes, kidney disease, and liver failure can compromise nerve function, for instance. Neuropathy, pelvic surgery, radiation, and urethral surgery can all negatively impact nerve function and cause ED.
Symptoms of Nerve Damage-Related ED
Part of the challenge of treating ED is the universality of the symptoms. Regardless of its cause, the hallmark sign of ED is an inability to get or stay hard enough for sex. This symptom can emerge as occasional softer-than-usual erections or the consistent inability to get hard at all. In other cases, erections are attained but do not last.
Men should take a holistic view of their health when they experience ED. Assessing your symptoms within the context of degenerative neurological conditions, chronic illness, recent injuries, and overall wellness can help you pinpoint the underlying cause.
Secondary symptoms of ED include diminished sex drive. Lack of desire can contribute to ED or result from the negative impact of ED on self-confidence. Daily shifts in libido are part of life, but a total disinterest in sex is a symptom of an underlying condition.
ED can also cause stress and strain a man's relationship with his partner. These feelings can manifest as emotional withdrawal, depression-like symptoms, and/or altered self-image.
Treatment Options for ED Caused By Nerve Damage
The appropriate treatment for ED caused by nerve damage depends on the extent and severity of the symptoms. The location of the nerve damage within the central nervous system also influences which treatments are viable options.
Oral medications help men get aroused despite their nerve damage. While typically considered valuable for vascular-related ED, they also work in some neurogenic cases. The pills dilate blood vessels and enable men to maintain quality erections. Doctors typically work with their patients to find the most effective medication and the optimal dose.
If nerve damage causes more pronounced erectile symptoms, local treatments such as topical applications or intraurethral pellets can help men get and stay hard. Doctors can also administer intracavernous injections of medications that dilate vessels if other treatments are ineffective.
Doctors can also prescribe vacuum devices to induce erections by creating negative pressure and forcing blood into the penis. The tube-shaped devices use a pump to create a vacuum around the penis. Patients then use a constriction ring to keep blood in the erect penis. These devices are effective, reliable, and time-tested.
Penile implants, in which doctors place an inflatable pump or silicone rods in the penis, are another option if other treatments are ineffective. These implantable devices are safe and do not alter penile sensation.
One potential future treatment is low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave treatment. Researchers have conducted multiple studies into it, and the results are promising. However, there are not yet standardized protocols or a universally accepted device to administer the treatment.
Finally, researchers are also exploring stem cell therapies to treat ED.
When to See a Doctor
Erections are a vital barometer of male health. ED is often an early warning sign of potentially critical cardiac, hormonal, or nerve-related conditions. It is essential for your emotional and physical health to talk with a doctor when you develop ED.
Erectile dysfunction is common and can happen to any man, regardless of his age. Physicians understand the complexities and nuances of diagnosing ED. Consultations typically involve discussing your symptoms and combing through your medical history to identify potential causes.
The doctor may order testing to pinpoint the source of your ED. In many cases, treating the source of your ED can allay or even eliminate your symptoms. These tests may involve simple blood work to check your hormone levels, diagnostic studies to assess your penile function, and/or imaging studies to measure your blood flow. These assessments are painless and often provide valuable information.
Once the doctor determines the cause of your ED, you can plan the best course of treatment together. ED is a multi-faceted condition, and most men have multiple risk factors. As a result, identifying the optimal intervention may take time and experimenting with various treatments. Fortunately, doctors have many well-established and reliable ways to treat ED.
See results on your first visit.
90% of the time ED can be treated and treated effectively.
April 18, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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