Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on February 16, 2022

New studies show that almost half of men in their 40s had complaints of erectile dysfunction. The Canadian Study of Erectile Dysfunction found that these numbers drastically increased by 10% after each decade. 

Sexual dysfunctions can cause mental, emotional, and physical effects. Apart from Canda Viagra pills, many natural remedies can help with erectile dysfunction. If you've been thinking about losing a few extra pounds, you might have noticed the close links that weight loss and ED have. 

If you haven't given weight loss a whirl for treating your sexual dysfunction, we have put together a complete guide right here on how you can use it to treat your ED. Keep reading for more information!

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual disorder that affects many men. It is diagnosed when a man has difficulty keeping or getting an erection. Typically, the risk for ED increases with age, but that doesn't mean that younger men aren't susceptible to ED. 

One area of confusion that many people have surrounding ED is that it is directly linked to sex drive. In many instances, the symptoms of ED do not include low sex drive. You can have a healthy, normal sex drive and experience an inability to get an erection. 

What does this finding mean?

For most, there is a physical cause behind ED. Common medical diagnoses, lifestyle factors, or conditions associated with ED include:

1. Obesity
2. Type 2 diabetes
3. High blood pressure
4. Cardiovascular disease
5. Smoking
6. Depression

So - what exactly is going on here when you look at the causes of erectile dysfunction? In a normal erection, your brain starts sending nerve impulses to your genitals. Next, blood starts filling two different chambers in the penis, causing the penis to harden and expand. 

Sometimes the impulse travelling from the brain to your genitals becomes interrupted. In many instances, blood flow becomes restricted, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for sex. 

Weight Loss and ED

Can weight loss treat erectile dysfunction? In short - yes!

Obesity is a generalized term that accounts for excessive fat accumulation. If you have a BMI over 30, it falls under the classification of obesity. For reference - a BMI of 25 to 30 is overweight.

Too much fat can place you at risk for various health issues, such as:

1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Hypertension
3. Type 2 diabetes
4. Stroke

Does this look familiar?

Many of the same types of diseases that obesity puts you at risk for are the same ones that lead to ED. While plenty of medications on the market can help with hypertension and diabetes, losing weight is one of the most natural and healthy ways to reduce your ED symptoms. 

Benefits of Weight Loss

Losing weight not only helps you look and feel better, but it also reduces your chance of chronic health conditions. Studies also show that it boosts sexual function. 

In one study, they assessed men who were obese and reported sexual dysfunction. Almost half of the men who fell under the obesity classification reported sexual dysfunction. 

This particular study found that exercise, diet, and medication played a significant role in weight loss for mild to moderate obesity. Researchers examined patients who had undergone bariatric surgery for weight loss and their reports on sexual function. They found that erectile function improved in these groups of individuals. 

Other symptoms also improved, including:

1. Intercourse satifiscation
2. Orgasmic function
3. Libido
4. Ejaculation

Bariatric surgery is an extreme option for weight loss and not necessarily for everyone. However, this study points out the huge benefit men can find from losing weight and ED. 

How Can You Lose Weight?

It seems easy enough: lose weight and improve sexual function. For many individuals (men and women included), the weight loss process isn't exactly as easy as snapping your fingers, although many of us wish it were!

Most cases of obesity are long-term management, which means you will constantly have to monitor your weight and health. Here are a few helpful strategies you can start using today:

1. Lose the 'fad' diet
2. Find ways to move
3. Boost emotional health
4. Talk to a doctor

These simple strategies may seem pretty straightforward, but they can help direct you towards a healthier lifestyle. Movement is a great way to boost caloric expenditure and improve your overall health. It doesn't have to be a designated thirty minutes to one hour each day. 

Instead, find opportunities to stand, walk, or move around more throughout the day. Better yet, start implementing hobbies and activities you enjoy with loved ones. 

If you are struggling with depression or have other medical conditions, you should speak to a doctor about medication, mental health, and other options. Don't let these issues go unnoticed, and talk to a professional today. 

Diet vs Healthy Eating

For many, healthy eating and dieting become closely intertwined until you are cutting too many calories, listening to trendy podcasts, and feeling like garbage. Fad diets usually aren't sustainable, which is why most people regain the weight they lost while on them. 

Instead, you should take the pros of diets and combine them with healthy, intuitive eating. This starts with listening to when your body is hungry rather than resorting to food when you're stressed or bored. Additionally, start paying attention to how you feel after you eat. 

While chips and cookies may sound good at the moment, one hour later, you may feel sluggish, foggy, and still hungry. Keep a diary and mark down how you feel about eating healthy, wholesome foods. 

Regain Your Spark 

ED doesn't have to keep you from changing how you feel in and out of the bedroom. By now, you understand how weight loss and ED are closely intertwined and play a critical role in your sexual and physical health. 

Shedding a few pounds can make a difference between you and your partner, so don't wait any longer. At the same time, talk to your doctor. There are multiple FDA-approved medications that can help you with ED in the meantime!