Men with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are usually much more likely to suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (ED), especially if they have severe arthritis or have a coexisting heart disease.

The progressive joint destruction that arthritis patients suffer from can lead to various degrees of disability and has an acute impact on many aspects of their life including not just their libido but their ability to enjoy sexual intercourse. Joint pain and fatigue can make physical intimacy challenging and unpleasant.

ED arthritis

Is there a link between the two conditions?

One study found that 56% of arthritis patients reported that their condition placed limitations on as many as 76% of the arthritis patients questioned, while many patients say that anxiety or stress causes by their disease made them feel like not participating in sex and diminished their sexual satisfaction over time compared to their pre-disease levels.

These psychological issues suffered by RA patients are difficult to overcome, although sharing the problems with their partner can help and it is equally important that they understand the issues of arthritis pain and fatigue.

Another way RA patients can suffer from ED is due to Rheumatoid Arthritis-induced endothelial dysfunction. Men with RA can develop endothelial dysfunction, a key risk factor for ED. While another medical condition considered to be a common comorbidity of RA is hypertension. Men with RA usually suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), a major cause of ED in many men worldwide. Read this from the Journal of Rheumatology.

Men with RA may have reduced levels of energy due to fatigue or pain in their joints. As physical intimacy requires physical activity, many men with RA may decide to abandon their previous sexual relationships. Besides, intercourse releases endorphins and can help with pain relief, so sometimes it should be

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Intimacy

Even so, your sex life can improve if you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

By having an honest and open discussion with your partner regarding your problems you can help overcome them. You can try to conserve your energy for the occasions when you feel up for it or try other forms of intimacy. By bonding with your partner through emotional, spiritual, and non-physical intimacy, you can hope to improve your relationships.

Some patients find that changing their usual sexual position(s) and finding new ones can help, especially with patients with RA in their back. While there are some patients who find that using ‘little blue pills’ for their ED also offers some relief to their Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, many users of pills find that their effect wanes over time and they struggle once more to achieve an erection strong enough for penetrative sex.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Intimacy

An alternative to ‘little blue pills'

For men that need more than little blue pills, we recommend a combination of focused Shockwave therapy and our other specialist treatments.

Shockwave therapy will revitalise the flow of blood to the penis and there are indications that the therapy will also help patients suffering with arthralgia who have been on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for longer than three months many of whom have been able to stop taking analgesics completely, while others have been able to reduce their dosage.

Extracorporeal MagnetoTransduction Therapy (EMTT) is another effective ED treatment. We offer this in combination with the shockwave therapy. EMTT utilises a strong magnetic field at various power levels to accelerate the healing procedure of the sexual function of men.

This therapy works in the endothelial cells level, which are vital for the energy production and nutrients transmission inside the millions of blood vessels of the penis.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments
we Offer at MansMatters

Focused Shockwave Therapy

A Non-Invasive Solution for ED

For men seeking an alternative to medication, Shockwave Therapy is an advanced non-invasive erectile dysfunction treatment. This approach uses low-intensity sound waves to stimulate blood vessel regeneration, improve blood flow and enhance the body’s natural healing response.  Our team at MansMatters may combine some technologies for even better results.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

  • Targets the root cause of ED by restoring blood vessel function.
  • Improves natural erectile function without reliance on medication.
  • Pain-free, non-invasive and requires no downtime.
  • Suitable for men who do not respond to oral medications or who prefer a drug-free option.

At MansMatters, we specialise in advanced Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction. To learn more about how this treatment works, visit our Shockwave Therapy for ED page.

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Shockwave probe and ED

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy

Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy creates powerful magnetic fields within tissue cells, optimising blood flow and cellular communication for enhanced healing and improved sexual function.

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Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy

NanoVi® Exo Therapy

This cutting-edge therapy helps restore and protect cellular function by reducing oxidative stress in your body, supporting overall healing and enhancing the effectiveness of our other treatments.

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NanoVi® Exo Therapy

Tesla Chair

Using advanced electromagnetic stimulation, the Tesla Chair delivers the equivalent of 28, 500 pelvic floor exercises in 30 minutes, strengthening crucial muscles for improved sexual function and bladder control.

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tesla chair

What to Expect in the MansMatters Clinic

We are experts in the field of men’s health. We offer our patients the safest, most advanced and effective men’s health treatments in a comfortable, relaxed and premium environment.

Complimentary Initial
Consultation

This 20 minute consultation with our knowledgeable clinical advisors to assess your goals, initial evaluation of your medical history, and determination of the best approach to achieve the desired outcomes.

Consultation
Pre-Treatment

This involves detailed information on the treatment being undertaken and allows the practitioner to answer any questions you have, as well as providing instructions on preparing for the treatments, including any pre-requisite actions prior to undertaking the treatments.

Treatment

We are committed to solving your men’s health challenges by administering procedures and providing personalised care. Let us guide you with confidence and comfort at every step of your journey, reclaiming the best version of yourself.

Post-Procedure
Consultations

We provide personalised attention and support for your comfort and recovery. With our expert team by your side, we ensure a smooth journey to renewed confidence, delivering optimal results and satisfaction.

Why Choose MansMatters for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment?

MansMatters is Europe’s leading non-invasive men’s health clinic, dedicated to helping men restore their sexual function with cutting-edge, non-surgical treatments.

Why patients trust us:

  • Specialists in men’s sexual health – We focus exclusively on erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, premature ejaculation and chronic pelvic pain.
  • Non-surgical, pain-free treatments – Our multi-modal approach delivers lasting results without surgery or medication.
  • Advanced shockwave technology – We have access to six of the seven most powerful shockwave machines in the UK.
  • Private, judgement-free consultations – Our medical professionals provide a discreet and supportive environment.
  • Clinically proven success rates – Our treatments are designed to deliver measurable improvements in sexual function.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Although both ED and anaemia may seem unrelated at a first glance, both of these issues have a strong association with one another. That’s why, men who suffer from anaemia have an increased risk of suffering from ED.

Anaemia can cause fatigue, weakness, and low energy levels in men. All of these factors are known to be responsible for the development of ED.

Anaemia is a condition which is identified by a low red blood cell count. It can occur due to a variety of reasons, for example, iron deficiency, folate deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, etc. can all cause anaemia. Other chronic issues such as cancer, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease and Crohn’s disease can also cause anaemia.

If you have anaemia and are suffering from sexual dysfunction you can improve your sexual function by treating anaemia. To do so, you may need to consult a medical professional. You can also adopt a healthier diet, which will improve your anaemia and your sexual function at the same time.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a reduced production of red blood cells, and this can affect the circulation of oxygen in various parts of the body, including penile tissues. This can cause difficulties in obtaining strong erections.

Vitamin B9 deficiency can be responsible for the development of ED in men. A number of research programs have been conducted on this subject and shown that vitamin B9 deficiency can cause ED.

Iron deficiency is considered a risk factor for ED. With iron deficiency, production of red blood cells can get hampered, which means penile tissues may not get enough oxygen rich blood flow. Moreover, iron deficiency can lead to lower levels of nitric oxide. Without an adequate amount of nitric oxide, penile tissues may not get properly relaxed. If these tissues don’t get relaxed enough, then blood circulation within the penis can get hampered which ultimately can result in ED.

Yes, changing diets to treat anaemia may be enough for some men to regain better erectile function. However, this may not work for many men, and you will need to explore alternative treatments such as shockwave therapy, EMTT therapy and FMS.

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