Low Levels of Vitamin D Can Cause Erection Problems
Published 03/04/2015
Updated: 07/30/2024
Lack of vitamin D can affect your sexual performance in the bedroom. That’s the main finding from a recent Italian study that examined the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and erection problems.
The researchers studied 143 adult males with mild to severe erectile dysfunction symptoms. Approximately 50% of the participants in the study had vitamin D deficiency. In fact, only one fifth of the men had sufficient vitamin D levels. Men with severe erectile dysfunction symptoms had lower levels of the vitamin when compared to men with mild erection problems. The results indicate that vitamin D may play a role in erectile dysfunction.
Vitamin D deficiency may trigger the release of superoxide ions, a type of free radical found in the body. According to the research team, superoxide ions deplete nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is essential for healthy blood vessel function. This creates a situation that makes it difficult for a man to get an erection.
That’s because nitric oxide allows the blood vessels in the penis to relax. This causes the blood flow to increase, which facilitates an erection. However, when superoxide ions lower nitric oxide levels, the blood vessels constrict. Without proper blood flow, a man cannot get or maintain a firm erection.
If you have erection problems, visit your doctor to have your vitamin D levels checked. Men with vitamin D deficiency can take supplements to raise their vitamin D levels to 30 ng/ml or higher.
What about men with normal sexual function? Now the researchers are trying to find out if vitamin D supplements can prevent erectile dysfunction. But for men with erection problems, it’s clear that vitamin D can help.
Steven Schlosser
Dr. Schlosser graduated from Lafayette College Phi Beta Kappa and attended Georgetown Medical School. He had 4 years of medical residency training at Tufts University in Boston in both Gynecology and Internal Medicine. He has had a spotless medical career for the past 40+ years and is Board Certified.Read more
