Can Erectile Dysfunction Cause Infertility?

Key Points:

• Learn what how erectile dysfunction may affect fertility.
• Get answers to common questions surrounding erectile dysfunction and infertility.
• Get help pursuing parenthood by contacting a surrogate professional.

Many men facing erectile dysfunction (ED) often worry about its impact on their ability to have children, leading to concerns about erectile dysfunction and infertility.

While ED doesn’t directly cause infertility by affecting sperm quality, it can significantly hinder natural conception. If you’re navigating these challenges, understanding your options is the first step toward building your family.

Speak with a specialist today!

In this article, we’ve answered common questions about the connection between erectile dysfunction and infertility. Let’s get right in!

Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals, and the advice we offer is not medically certified. You should always talk with your doctor for professional medical help.

Can Erectile Dysfunction Cause Infertility?

Although erectile dysfunction does not necessarily affect sperm parameters or directly cause infertility, it can affect chances of conceiving a child.

There have also been studies that have shown that erectile dysfunction and infertility might have similar root causes including neurological defects like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Is Erectile Dysfunction a Sign of Infertility?

There are times when erectile dysfunction might indicate a hormonal balance, such as in testosterone or follicle-stimulating hormone, which can impact sexual function and fertility.

Shared Roots: Underlying Causes of ED and Infertility

Because of the complexity of the male sexual arousal process, there are several possible causes for erectile dysfunction:

Navigating Physical Factors Contributing to Erectile Dysfunction

• Pelvic surgery: Prostate, rectal, and bladder surgeries can injure blood vessels or nerves, which might lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Age: As you age, the chances of developing erectile dysfunction also increase, likely because the conditions that cause erectile dysfunction are more common with age.
• Obesity: According to research, 79% of men presenting erectile disorders have a higher BMI.
• Low testosterone: Erectile dysfunction can sometimes be contributed by hypogonadism, which is where the testes fail to produce sufficient testosterone amounts.
• Prescription medications: Research has shown than 25% of all erectile dysfunction cases are from side effects from certain medications, such as antidepressants, tranquilizers, and diuretics.
• Tobacco use: Men who smoked were more likely to get erectile dysfunction compared to men who didn’t smoke.
• And more

The Psychological Impact: How Mental Health Affects Erectile Dysfunction and Conception

• Stress: When higher cortisol levels are experienced during stressful events, impotence and loss of libido can develop and inhibit testosterone production in men.
• Relationship issues: While erectile dysfunction often results in relationship problems, there are cases where relationship problems occur first and lead to a loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.
• Depression and anxiety: For people with depression, it’s often been found in research that their sex-related chemicals are out of balance, which results in low or missing sexual desire.

The Emotional Toll: Navigating the Psychological Impact of ED and Infertility

Beyond the physical challenges, confronting erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or infertility can carry a significant emotional and psychological burden for men and their partners.

These conditions can erode self-esteem, trigger feelings of inadequacy, and lead to profound stress, anxiety and even depression.

Here are some helpful resources you can utilize to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.

• r/erectiledysfunction: This is a direct subreddit dedicated to ED, where men share experiences, ask questions and discuss treatments. Advice on Reddit should always be cross-referenced with a healthcare professional.
• SoulUp: This site offers an “Erectile Dysfunction Support Group” led by a therapist, with structured sessions.
• r/AskMen: While not exclusively for ED, this subreddit often sees discussions related to male health, relationships and sexuality, where ED might come up.

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction and Family Planning

Researchers have noticed that because erectile dysfunction may be a sign of infertility, it may also indicate other health issues.

By investigating various facets of general, psychological, and sexual health, doctors can have a better chance of treating sexual dysfunction.

Once any underlying health condition are ruled out, there are some possible erectile dysfunction treatments available:

• Penis pumps: This creates a vacuum-like effect that pulls blood into the penis to create an erection.
• Male enhancement pills: These pills can include Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, which work by increasing blood flow to the penis.
• Surgical penile implants: These are bendable and inflatable rods that can be surgically placed at the sides of the penis.
• And more

Typically, the providers who treat erectile dysfunction are primary care physicians or urologists. If erectile dysfunction is the result of psychological issues, mental health professionals can be helpful when treating the disorder.

When Traditional Treatments Aren’t Enough: Advanced Options for Infertility with ED

If erectile dysfunction continues to hinder your ability to conceive a child, your next option might be to talk with your doctor about infertility testing:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This is a method that involves freezing sperm to use at the time of insemination, then placing the sperm directly into your partner’s uterus around the time their ovary releases eggs for fertilization.
• Surgical sperm retrieval: This can include testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), and both of these options involve retrieving sperm from the testicles through surgery.
• Electroejaculation: This option is used to induce ejaculation in people who have erectile dysfunction by inserting a probe rectally and pressing it against the process. This delivers a frequency that continues to increase to help stimulate ejaculation.
• Adopting a healthier lifestyle: Eating well, exercising regularly, addressing any mental health issues, and limiting sugar and alcohol intake can all have a positive effect on both erectile dysfunction and fertility.

If there are continued issues or struggles with erectile dysfunction and infertility, another option available for you is surrogacy.

Surrogacy: A Path for Those Facing Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility

For intended parents navigating erectile dysfunction and infertility, especially when traditional methods are unsuccessful, gestational surrogacy offers a significant path to building a family.

This process allows you to have a genetically related child by using your sperm (or donor sperm) to create an embryo, which is then carried by a surrogate.

Surrogacy is a powerful option for men with erectile dysfunction where sperm retrieval is possible, or for couples facing male factor infertility but still desiring a genetic connection. It provides a clear route to parenthood when natural conception isn’t viable.

Exploring all family-building options is vital. To learn more about surrogacy and how it can help you, connect with a surrogacy professional for personalized guidance.