Effects of Dehydration on Erectile Dysfunction Q&A

Dehydration occurs when your body begins to lose more fluid than you are taking in. The body begins to not have enough water or other fluids available to continue its normal functions. If you do not replace the lost fluids from the body, this is when dehydration begins to set in.

Anyone can become dehydrated. However, it is especially dangerous for young children and older adults. Older adults naturally have a lower volume of water within their bodies; some may even have certain conditions or take medications that will increase their risk of dehydration.

If you come down with a minor illness, including bladder infection, lung infection, or another infection, it can result in dehydration faster in adults. Thirst is not the first or even a reliable indicator of your becoming dehydrated. This is why it is so important to consistently increase your water intake during warmer periods of weather, or if you are ill.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration that you should look out for include:

• Extreme thirst
• Urinating less frequently
• Dark-colored urine
• Fatigue
• Dizzy
• Confused

As we age, more common issues begin to unfold, including erectile dysfunction in men. Erectile dysfunction can become a chronic issue and occurs either occasionally, or randomly.

There has been evidence of temporary erectile dysfunction occurring when you are dehydrated. For a man to be able to have an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse, the body’s systems will have to work together properly. This can falter if one thing is off, like the fluid levels being too low, which is how temporary erectile dysfunction can occur.

Hydration is an important factor for not only the overall health of the individual but also for sexual health. Without proper hydration, your body will begin to experience certain side effects and even complications that can lead to severe forms of erectile dysfunction if not dealt with.

The more hydrated the body is, the higher the volume of blood cells and plasma, which also helps the blood flow through your veins and arteries more efficiently. Much of that volume of red blood cells and plasma will often lead to erectile dysfunction due to the penis not getting enough nutrient-rich blood and oxygen to maintain the erection for sex.

If fluids within the body begin to fall, the body will start creating a particular hormone known as angiotensin. This hormone will cause blood vessels to tighten up and constrict, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure and prevent adequate blood flow to the body, which includes the penis.
Dehydration can become very serious if it is not treated correctly or quickly. It can cause complications which include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney stones
• Kidney infections
• Kidney failure
• Muscle cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heatstroke
• Seizure
• Low blood volume shock:

If you are having issues with getting or even keeping an erection long enough for sexual intercourse, it could be due to dehydration. If so, drinking water will help to raise the blood volume within the body and can solve your issues with erectile dysfunction. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to keep yourself hydrated each day and continue to drink water throughout the day.

While dehydration may be a cause of your erectile dysfunction, there may be other underlying reasons for it as well. If you are suffering currently from erectile dysfunction, or have previously suffered from erectile dysfunction, it may be in result of dehydration, vascular disease, diabetes, neurological disease, or prostate-related treatments or surgeries. To help regain erectile strength once more, try the following:

1. Walking
Walking for even a minimum of 30 minutes each day can lead to your risk of erectile dysfunction decreasing. Moderate exercise can also help to restore sexual performance in men who are middle-aged and either overweight or obese and are dealing with erectile dysfunction.

2. Eating healthy
Eating foods that are good for you, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish, while cutting back on red and processed meat, and refined grains can also help decrease the risk of erectile dysfunction.

3. Pay attention to your vascular health
If you are noticing you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides, all of which can damage the arteries within the heart and cause a heart attack, or within the brain causing a stroke, and finally within the penis which can cause erectile dysfunction. Check-ups with your doctor are important for your overall health, including your vascular health.

4. Stay healthy
Staying healthy and fit will be one great way to ensure you do not run the risk of erectile dysfunction. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight will help in the fight against erectile dysfunction. Start by eating better, exercising, and choosing better options for healthy habits like positive thinking, and fun activities.

5. Move your muscles
Moving your pelvic floor muscles will enhance the rigidity during your erection and improve the blood flow by not leaving the penis as fast. You can do this by pressing on a key vein. Doing this twice a day each day will help.

6. Visit American Male Medical Finally, visit American Male Medical for your appointments with a focus on erectile dysfunction and anything else that is specific to men. We have convenient locations to serve you in Lewisville TX, Sherman Oaks CA, Irvine CA, and Nashville TN. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Lewisville TX, Sherman Oaks CA, Irvine CA, Nashville TN, Carrollton TX, Flower Mound TX, Los Angeles CA, Tustin, CA, and Oak Hill TN.