Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Caused By Snoring?
Hey guys, today I'm going to talk about a topic that most men avoid and that's erectile dysfunction, and more specifically snoring, as it relates to erectile dysfunction (ED). If you have noticed that snoring is keeping your wife up while your external organ remains down, you might want to listen up as I have some important information that will have you back between the sheets.
Let's cut to the chase and answer the question: Does snoring cause erectile dysfunction? Snoring itself is a primary symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and according to several recent studies such as the one conducted at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, there is a strong correlation between OSA and ED. The Mount Sinai study determined that men who had ED were twice as likely to have OSA. It was then suggested that those with ED should be screened for OSA, as sleep apnea may be the cause of their ED. Several other studies suggest that 40%-75% of men with sleep apnea also suffer from ED. One study conducted in 2009 concluded that 70% of male subjects who were suspected of having sleep apnea were also experiencing issues with erectile dysfunction. There's certainly no shortage of research linking ED to OSA.
In western medicine, physicians often prescribe medications such as Cialis, Viagra or Levitra to treat ED without examining the possible link to OSA. While such drugs treat the symptom, they don't necessarily address the cause of the problem. In addition, prescription drugs often come with side effects which are not always immediately apparent. Before asking your doctor for a script, you may want to dig a little deeper and search for the root cause. There are a number of other conditions that could cause ED, so it's important to have a discussion with your doctor to explore the possibilities.
Why Does Snoring & Sleep Apnea Cause ED?
Snoring is often associated with sleep apnea, a condition in which the airway becomes restricted during sleep and the person experiences momentary pauses in breathing. Such pauses in breathing can wreak havoc on your body and cardiovascular system causing high blood pressure, heart disease, daytime tiredness, type 2 diabetes, and several other potentially dangerous health conditions.
Scientists are not exactly sure why men with OSA are at a higher risk of developing ED although there are a few theories as to why this is the case. It's well known that sleep apnea puts a strain on your cardiovascular system as well as other parts of the body. Considering that a substantial amount of blood is required to achieve an erection, it makes perfect sense why a poorly functioning cardiovascular system will cause erectile dysfunction. In addition, blood oxygen levels play an important role in achieving a healthy erection. With OSA, blood oxygen levels tend to drop since you are not breathing during multiple apnea events.
Another theory is that male testosterone is produced during sleep. Those with OSA never achieve restful sleep as their body constantly awakens them throughout the night to catch their breath. This awakening happens several times per hour without the person ever recalling waking up. The result is the person will wake up tired and experience daytime sleepiness despite the how many hours of sleep they got the night before. The issue with daytime tiredness can further compound libido as men will be more fatigued and irritable and may not be interested in sexual activity.
How Can I Treat Erectile Dysfunction Caused by OSA?
If you snore loudly, often gasp for air at night or constantly wake up tired in the morning, you may want to consider asking your doctor if sleep apnea is a possibility. OSA is a very common problem, especially in the United States. It affects an estimated 22 million people. Unfortunately, the majority of these people don't even know they have it.
The other way to alleviate ED caused by snoring is to use more natural techniques. A few simple lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, eating a healthier diet and avoiding nicotine and alcohol can work wonders, as can learning specific breathing exercises that can be done prior to sexual activity to stimulate the cardiovascular system. Other effective ways to increase your cardiovascular efficiency is to regularly practice yoga and qi gong.
In conclusion, snoring does have the correlation with ED. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction and snore, it is important to discuss the issue with your doctor as OSA could be the cause. There are several things that can be done to counter OSA and erectile dysfunction like improving your lifestyle habits such as reducing the intake of nicotine, alcohol and caffeinated beverages as well as exercising regularly. Finally, learning specific breathing exercises to stimulate the cardiovascular system before engaging in sexual activity can also help treat ED caused by OSA.
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