Obesity and Erectile Dysfunction: What’s the Link?

Guys facing body image issues, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and other obesity-related problems might have to add one more worry to the list: erectile dysfunction (ED). But how are obesity and erectile dysfunction connected, exactly? Let’s clear the air.

Excess weight is just one of many factors that can contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction. That said, it’s a little more complicated than hitting a particular pants size or number on the scale.

If you’re wondering if overweight or obesity can cause erectile dysfunction, you’re in good hands. We’ll go over whether this is possible, how these health conditions are linked, what other factors might be at play and what you can do to help correct the issue.

Does obesity cause ED? Not exactly. Can obesity cause ED? Yes.

If you have overweight or obesity — and especially if you have severe obesity — your weight could have a negative impact on your sexual function. However, exactly how it affects sexual health is complex.

Keep reading to learn about the link between erectile function and body weight and how obesity may increase ED risk. 

Can having overweight cause ED? It’s complicated — and starts with the erectile process itself.

In order to get an erection, you need several things, among them: sexual stimulation and proper blood flow to erectile tissues. This blood is held inside your penis during sex, allowing you to maintain an erection hard enough to penetrate your partner.

Erectile dysfunction can occur when one or both of these necessary factors — sexual stimulation and blood flow — aren’t present.

As you may already suspect, obesity can impact these two elements in numerous ways.

A diverse range of physical and mental health issues can cause or contribute to erectile dysfunction. And while obesity is one of them, more often than not, it’s not the entire picture. 

Excess body weight can have a more significant impact on sexual function than aging. Since obesity affects so many elements essential for erections (think blood flow, testosterone levels, energy, libido and mental health), it can lead to erectile dysfunction in some men.

Body weight can affect:

• Vascular health (relating to blood vessels and blood flow)

• Testosterone levels

• Libido (sex drive)

• Energy levels

• Psychological health

Issues such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and damage to nerves around the penis can affect sexual stimulation and blood flow. That’s why these weight-related health conditions are potential causes of erectile dysfunction.

Mental health issues like depression and sexual performance anxiety may also contribute to erectile dysfunction by preventing you from feeling sexually aroused.

Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction

Having overweight or obesity is a major independent risk factor for many of these physical and mental health issues, meaning there’s a relationship between obesity and erectile dysfunction.

Over the years, several studies have looked into obesity as a factor for erectile dysfunction, with research showing a clear connection.

For example, a review published in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that having overweight or obesity increases adult men’s risk of developing erectile dysfunction by 30 to 90 percent.

More recent research from the University of Adelaide showed similar findings. It suggested that men who have overweight or obesity have an elevated incidence rate of erectile dysfunction. But it noted that weight-related ED can often be treated with increased physical activity and a reduction in body weight.

Obesity Can Affect Testosterone Levels

Beyond the negative cardiovascular health effects of having overweight, researchers also believe obesity’s impact on testosterone could contribute to sexual issues such as ED.

Testosterone is your body’s primary male sex hormone. It’s responsible for several aspects of physical health, including muscle mass, bone strength, energy levels and red blood cell production.

A 2009 study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that BMI (body mass index, a measure of weight relative to height) is inversely proportional to serum testosterone levels. In other words, obesity is closely linked with lower-than-normal levels of testosterone in men.

Other studies show a similar link between obesity and testosterone. One study from 1977 — super old, we know — found that men with severe obesity had low levels of testosterone. A more recent review of medical study data ended with similar findings.

In short, guys with higher-than-average body weight tend to have lower testosterone levels.

Obesity Can Lower Sex Drive

Why does low testosterone matter? Testosterone regulates libido in men, affecting how interested you are in having sexual intercourse or engaging in other forms of sexual activity.

There are also some data to suggest that a certain baseline level of testosterone is essential for normal erectile function, making it a potential factor for ED.

Body Weight and Penis Size

Besides messing with your ability to get an erection, having overweight or obesity may also affect something closer to home: perceived penis size.

Although a little extra fat around your waist won’t actually make your penis smaller, it can make it appear shorter. How so? When fat builds up around the base of the shaft, it might lead to the illusion of a smaller penis.

Our complete guide to the average penis size goes into more detail about what’s normal below the belt, as well as the effect penis size can have on sexual attraction and self-esteem.

If you have overweight or obesity and find it difficult to get or maintain an erection, losing weight may help to improve your sexual performance.

Shedding excess pounds can also be good for your general physical health. According to the National Institute on Aging, maintaining a healthy weight is associated with a lower relative risk of experiencing heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other serious health issues.

How Overall Health Affects Sexual Health

Research shows that living a healthy lifestyle — and particularly maintaining a healthy weight — can have a big positive impact on erectile function and sexual health. 

For example, an Italian study of men with overweight and obesity looked at the effects of weight loss on erectile dysfunction. The men were divided into two groups. One group received expert help on weight loss and exercise, while the other got only minor oral and written help.

The men coached on weight loss lost an average of 33 pounds over a two-year period. Meanwhile, guys in the control group lost fewer than five pounds on average.

After two years, 31 percent of men in the group that lost an average of 33 pounds each reported restored erectile function. Only five percent of men in the control group showed similar improvements.

Being Physically Active Boosts Testosterone

Research also shows that giving up a sedentary lifestyle (involving lots of sitting and very little physical activity) and losing weight can improve testosterone production.

In the Diabetes Prevention Program’s multicenter clinical research study, men with overweight and glucose intolerance were put on a diet and exercise weight loss program. Over the course of one year, those who lost weight with diet and exercise showed a small increase in bioavailable testosterone levels.

This increase in testosterone didn’t occur in the placebo or medication-treated groups, suggesting that weight loss and physical activity could be major factors in regulating healthy testosterone levels for men. 

Do you have overweight or obesity? The first step in reducing your risk of obesity-associated ED is checking your weight to see if it’s high for your height. 

Most of the time, you can do this using the BMI (body mass index) calculation, which assesses body weight in relation to height. BMI is far from perfect, but it’s a helpful general indicator of body fat for the majority of people.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has a BMI calculator you can use to work out your body mass index online.

If you’re very tall, very short or very muscular, BMI may not provide a totally accurate picture of your weight and its impact on your health. In this case, it’s always best to talk to a medical professional to see what they have to say about your weight and body composition. 

Your healthcare provider will likely have a few suggestions for reducing your body weight and remedying ED, including:

• Eating a healthy, calorie-conscious diet. Weight loss is closely linked to improvements in erection quality and sexual health, making a healthy body weight a critical factor for improving your sex life. If you have overweight or obesity, try eating a healthier diet and eating fewer calories overall to lose weight. If you’re not sure where or how to begin, ask your healthcare provider for advice on the best way to start losing weight.

• Focusing on cardiovascular health factors. Cardiovascular issues like hypertension (high blood pressure) and clogged arteries are linked to ED. So improving your heart health can be a positive thing for sexual performance. Learn more about how hypertension may cause erectile dysfunction in our guide to high blood pressure and ED.

• Exercising. Even if you aren’t aiming to lose weight, regular physical activity can improve your mood and help you relax during sexual activity, lowering your risk of performance anxiety and increasing your stamina. Try to exercise daily, even if it’s just a quick walk, jog or bike ride around your neighborhood.

If you have moderate or severe ED that doesn’t improve with changes to your lifestyle, you may want to consider erectile dysfunction medication. 

Currently, the most commonly used ED medications are PDE5 inhibitors (short for phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors). These oral medications work by increasing blood flow to your penis. They can be taken about an hour before sex (depending on the specfic medication), making it easier for you to get and maintain an erection.

Popular PDE5-inhibiting medications for ED include sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra^®), tadalafil (generic for Cialis^®), vardenafil (Levitra^®) and avanafil (Stendra^®). 

We offer several ED medications online, following a consultation with a healthcare provider who’ll determine if a prescription is appropriate for your needs.

Can obesity cause erectile dysfunction? Absolutely. Being overweight or obese can significantly increase your risk of ED.

Excess body fat doesn’t just affect physical performance and quality of life. It’s also linked to several cardiovascular risk factors that may reduce blood flow to your penis when you feel sexually aroused.

The good news is that erectile dysfunction is treatable. You might be able to improve erectile function and sexual performance by losing weight, keeping yourself physically active and eating a healthier, more balanced diet.

Here’s what to keep in mind about obesity and erectile dysfunction:

• The ED weight loss connection cannot be overstated. If you have overweight, making a few small changes could have a positive impact on your erections and sexual performance.

• Increased physical activity, a healthier diet and a few other lifestyle changes can promote better sexual health while reducing your risk of ED and other forms of sexual dysfunction.

• In addition to maintaining a healthier lifestyle, ED medications can make getting and keeping an erection easier.

Our guide to belly fat and ED goes into more detail about the link between obesity and erectile dysfunction risk.

Interested in learning more about treating sexual dysfunction? Take part in an online consultation for ED to explore your options for treating this common condition.

You can check out popular ED medications in our guide to the most common ED treatments.