Surgery for rectum cancer can cause erectile dysfunction. This surgery can make it hard for a man to get an erection for a couple of reasons. First, the surgery can damage nerves that send signals to cause an erection. The cancer may be in or around these nerves. Surgeons are working on ways to avoid these nerves during surgery. Second, the surgery can cause a man to become less interested in sex because of discomfort or concerns about sensitive areas near his penis.
Erectile Dysfunction Causes
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can have several causes. Erectile function involves a complex relationship between neurologic, vascular, hormonal and psychological components. Speak with your doctor to determine whether your ED may be caused by poor circulation, diabetes, obesity, smoking, medication side effect or stress and anxiety.
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Radiation therapy for rectum cancer may cause erectile dysfunction. Radiation used in the treatment can cause damage to nerves that carry the signals to the penis. It can damage vessels that supply blood to the penis. It can also cause testosterone, a hormone involved in sexual function, to be produced more slowly.
Radiation may make it harder for a man to ejaculate and make it harder for him to achieve an erection. All or some of the sexual function may return in the months after the radiation treatment.
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Radiation therapy for colon cancer may cause erectile dysfunction. The radiation may damage nerves that carry the signals to the penis to cause an erection. It may also damage vessels that supply blood to the penis. And it may cause testosterone, a hormone involved in sexual function, to be produced more slowly.
The treatment may make it harder for a man to ejaculate in addition to making it harder for him to achieve an erection. Some or all of the sexual function may return in the months after the radiation treatment.
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Certain diseases or medical conditions can result in erectile dysfunction. For example, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and multiple sclerosis can result in ED. Spinal cord injuries and surgery for prostate or bladder cancer can cause ED.
Because ED is linked to chronic diseases, it's important to talk openly with your doctor about your situation. Your doctor can do a physical examination, order medical tests, and make an effective diagnosis. Medications and other treatments are often available for the health conditions that cause ED, as well as for ED itself.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with several health problems, including heart disease, diabetes or a neurological condition. Measuring testosterone levels with blood or urine tests can help determine whether a man’s difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection is caused by an endocrine (hormonal) problem.
Low testosterone levels can also diminish a man’s desire for sex, and contribute to feeling sluggish and tired. If tests show a hormonal imbalance, your doctor can boost your levels of this male sex hormone with testosterone replacement therapy.
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Some of the causes of erectile function can be treated, or improved. Clogged arteries can be unclogged with exercise and diet, medication or surgery. This improves blood flow to the penis. Weight loss may improve testosterone levels. Quitting or reducing alcohol and tobacco use may also improve erectile function. A change in medications may reverse the side effects that cause erectile dysfunction. Treatment for hormone problems may also help.
Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, depression, stress and anxiety all may result in more frequent and longer erections. Talk to your doctor about any medical condition that you suspect may be increasing your risk of erectile dysfunction.
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See All 2 AnswersYes. Increased cholesterol can cause vascular problems. You need good vascular supply to the penis in order to have an erection.
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Many men with cirrhosis of the liver--a serious and life-threatening condition--have erectile dysfunction. But it is not clear whether cirrhosis itself causes sexual dysfunction, or whether a related factor may be causing both diseases. For example, drinking too much alcohol can permanently damage the liver. And it can lead to a lower proportion of testosterone to estrogen, which makes it harder to get an erection. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing a problem with alcohol.
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Men who are depressed often experience loss of libido (sexual desire) and have trouble getting and maintaining an erection. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also a common side effect of some medications used to treat depression. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you think you are depressed, or are taking an antidepressant and have experienced loss of sexual desire or have problems with sexual function.
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Anxiety can lead to erectile dysfunction. When a man starts to worry, all the systems of the body go on alert. This changes the action of nerves, muscles and blood flow, all of which can affect the man's ability to get an erection. Anxiety about erectile dysfunction can create a kind of vicious cycle.
Always talk to your doctor if you are unable to get or maintain an erection more than 25 percent of the time.