Erectile Dysfunction
and Arthritis
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.
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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. (Hyperlink: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3818311/ )
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 tried.
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.
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.
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Erectile Dysfunction and Arthritis FAQ's
Is ED a Common Issue in Men Who Suffer from Anaemia?
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.
Is there any link between ED and Anaemia?
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.
How does Anaemia Occur?
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.
How Can I Improve My Sexual Function if I Have 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.
Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency be Responsible for the Development of ED?
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.
Can Vitamin B9 Deficiency Cause ED?
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.
Is Iron Deficiency a Risk Factor for 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.
Is ED Treatable For Those Who Suffer From Anaemia?
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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