Men's Health & the Autoimmune System

The role of the autoimmune system

In a healthy body, the autoimmune systems job is to protect the body from unwanted infection and identify and destroy harmful substances, bacteria, and viruses. Special fighter cells attack the unwanted intruders.

With autoimmune diseases the fighter cells are confused and release autoantibodies that attack the healthy cells.

As a consequence, men suffering an autoimmune disease can go on to develop ED or PD or sometimes both.  With ED, the autoimmune disease can be instrumental in the deteriorating health of blood vessels which are essential to carry the blood in order to enable an erection. An autoimmune disease can attack cells in the penis, leading to inflammation, scaring and the development of fibrous plaque and the onset of PD.

Whilst diabetes type 1 is the most well-known autoimmune disease that attacks just one organ, the pancreas, there are over 80 different autoimmune diseases that attack different parts of the body.