Are caffeine and erectile dysfunction connected? Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for the entire duration of sexual intercourse.
ED can stem from a variety of physical and mental issues. There are various treatments and lifestyle adjustments that men can make to treat the condition.
Quick FAQs
The most common causes of ED include age, medical conditions, and lifestyle habits.
There is no evidence of caffeine intake helping to improve erectile dysfunction.
While caffeine consumption has not been proven to have any impact on ED, there are known side effects from energy drink consumption that may increase the probability of ED occurring.
We'll examine the link between caffeine and erectile dysfunction, and uncover if drinking coffee can help fix ED.
Can Caffeine Help With Erectile Dysfunction?
Studies have shown no evidence of caffeine intake helping with erectile dysfunction.
It concluded that there was no relationship between caffeine intake and erectile dysfunction.
But while coffee consumption doesn't help with ED, consuming it is proven to have somehealth benefitsaside from increased alertness and boosted energy levels.
Coffee is linked to improved mood, better heart health, a lower risk of depression and more.
Caffeine consumption has not been proven to have any impact on ED, both in treating it or in causing it.
However, there are some known side effects from energy drink consumption that could increase a man's chances of ED.
These side effects typically stem from other stimulants included in energy drinks and are most commonly experienced by men who consume said beverages in large quantities.
Before getting into erectile dysfunction, let's take a moment to review how erections work.
When a man is sexually aroused, blood flows into two erection chambers in the penis, which relax and allow for the intake of blood.
Pro Tip:VitaFLUX Nitric Oxide Booster can help to relax blood vessels and allow more blood flow through increased nitric oxide production.
As blood enters the penis, it stiffens and readies for penetrative sex. As a man orgasms, the muscular tissues in the penis contract and cause blood to leave the two erection chambers so it becomes soft and limp again.
So what causes erectile dysfunction? Some of the most common causes of ED include:
Age: The risk of ED tends to increase with age, particularly in men over the age of 50
Medical conditions like high blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, heart disease and/or high cholesterol
Lifestyle habits such as smoking, drug use or excessive alcohol consumption.
Obesity
A lack of adequate exercise
Peyronie's disease, which is defined by damage to the nerves near the penis
Low testosterone
Mental or psychological issues, such as depression, stress and anxiety
Erectile dysfunction can have far-reaching effects on a man and his partner beyond the bedroom. It may lead to relationship issues and potentially lower a man's self-esteem and confidence.
Lifestyle Choices That Can Help With ED
As we noted earlier in this piece, there are a number of lifestyle factors that may contribute to erectile dysfunction. Here are a few lifestyle choices that could help treat ED:
Quit smoking
Research has found smokers are at a higher risk of having ED than non-smokers.
Lose weight
Losing weight can help restore normal hormone levels and boost a man’s mood. As a result, men may be able to achieve better erections.
The good news is that there are various safe, effective and proven treatments for erectile dysfunction.
As evidenced by the previous section, sometimes the answer to ED problems is something as simple as making some lifestyle changes.
Exercising more can improve heart health and help men maintain a healthy body weight. So can adopting a healthier diet to manage body weight.
Stopping smoking and any illicit drug use, and consuming alcohol in moderation can help with ED issues.
And taking time each day to de-stress and relax can help ease mental strain that may lead to performance issues in the bedroom.
Additionally, there are various prescription medications - such as Viagra, Levitra, Stendra and Cialis - that can help restore sexual performance.
These medications are designed to help the muscles in the penis relax so that blood can flow freely into its two erection chambers. They're designed to be taken prior to sex.
One other you might consider is VitaFLUX, which has been clinically proven to increase erectile functioning.
When to See Your Doctor About Erectile Dysfunction
The best time to see a doctor about erectile dysfunction issues is as soon as you're concerned enough that there's a problem.
Remember, ED can significantly impact a man's self-esteem and confidence, which can help snowball issues.
A doctor will usually ask you questions about your physical and mental health, perform a physical exam.
They may even do some lab tests to see if any underlying issues like high blood pressure or high blood sugar are contributing to erectile problems.
Following the assessment, doctors will explore options with their male patients.
Usually, behavioral or lifestyle changes are suggested before any medication is prescribed or other treatments are explored.
Takeaways
Caffeine and erectile dysfunction have long been linked, but there's no evidence to support any relationship between them.
So does coffee cause ED? No. Drinking coffee also doesn't help any issues with erectile dysfunction. Nor do any other caffeinated beverages, like soda, energy drinks or tea.
The best way to overcome issues with ED is to identify any underlying issues and make lifestyle or behavioral changes accordingly.
If that doesn't work, there are various prescription medications men can take to restore their performance in the bedroom.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
"Erectile Dysfunction - Urology Care Foundation." Urologyhealth.org, 2022, www.urologyhealth.org/resources/erectile-dysfunction. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
"What is Peyronie's Disease? - Urology Care Foundation." Urologyhealth.org, 2022, www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/peyronies-disease. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
Lopez DS, Wang R, Tsilidis KK, Zhu H, Daniel CR, Sinha A, Canfield S. Role of Caffeine Intake on Erectile Dysfunction in US Men: Results from NHANES 2001-2004. PLoS One. 2015 Apr 28;10(4):e0123547. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123547. PMID: 25919661; PMCID: PMC4412629. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
David S Lopez, Lydia Liu, Eric B Rimm, Konstantinos K Tsilidis, Marcia de Oliveira Otto, Run Wang, Steven Canfield, Edward Giovannucci, Coffee Intake and Incidence of Erectile Dysfunction, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 187, Issue 5, May 2018, Pages 951–959, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwx304. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
"Is coffee good or bad for your health? - Harvard T.H. Chan." Hsph.harvard.edu, 2022, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/is-coffee-good-or-bad-for-your-health/. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
"The Buzz on Energy Drinks - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." Cdc.gov, 2022, www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/energy.htm. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
Kovac JR, Labbate C, Ramasamy R, Tang D, Lipshultz LI. Effects of cigarette smoking on erectile dysfunction. Andrologia. 2015 Dec;47(10):1087-92. doi: 10.1111/and.12393. Epub 2014 Dec 29. PMID: 25557907; PMCID: PMC4485976. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
"Will Losing Weight Help My Erectile Dysfunction? - Kasraeian Urology." Kasraeianurology.com, 2021, Kasraeianurology.com/blog/will-losing-weight-help-my-erectile-dysfunction. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
"Poor Sleep Quality Predicts Hypogonadal Symptoms and Sexual Dysfunction in Male Nonstandard Shift Workers - ScienceDirect." Sciencedirect.com, 2016, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0090429516309062. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
"How low testosterone treatment can help – and harm – a man's sex drive and fertility - UTSouthwestern Medical Center." Utswmed.org, 2021, www.utswmed.org/medblog/low-testosterone-symptoms-causes-treatment/. Accessed on Dec, 12, 2022.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
