General practitioner Babak Ashrafi has outlined several concerning medical causes of erectile dysfunction, explaining that the condition often stems from non-sexual health problems. Speaking in an interview with news outlet Metro, Ashrafi warned that physical ailments across the body can directly impair male sexual performance.
Ashrafi explained that erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator of vascular problems triggered by high blood pressure. According to the doctor, blood vessels supplying the penis are significantly smaller than those feeding the heart, meaning hypertension causes penile arteries to narrow earlier.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against arterial walls remains consistently too high, causing gradual vascular damage. Because healthy erectile function relies on rapid blood flow through clear arterial pathways, systemic vascular conditions often manifest in small blood vessels long before affecting major organs.
Broader health conditions and symptoms
The doctor added that erectile dysfunction can also serve as a symptom of diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
Ashrafi further linked weak erections to low testosterone levels, noting that hormonal shortfalls can produce additional physical and emotional symptoms. In such cases, difficulties in bed may be accompanied by persistent fatigue, poor mood, reduced muscle strength, and a decline in spontaneous erections.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for regulating sex drive, bone density, muscle mass, and energy levels. Diabetes and elevated cholesterol frequently damage blood vessels and nerve pathways, disrupting normal hormone regulation and metabolic function throughout the body.
Sleep deprivation and prolonged erections
A lack of proper rest and sleep can also negatively impact erectile function, Ashrafi concluded. He emphasized that quality sleep is essential for hormone production, cardiovascular health, and overall sexual performance.
The guidance follows previous warnings from urologist Nika Akhvlediani regarding the dangers of abnormally prolonged erections. Akhvlediani stated that an erection lasting more than four hours poses a serious threat to health, as penile tissues begin to suffer from severe oxygen starvation.
Extended erections lasting beyond four hours can lead to ischemic tissue damage due to trapped, oxygen-depleted blood within the erectile chambers. Medical guidelines advise immediate emergency evaluation for prolonged erections to prevent permanent structural damage and long-term dysfunction.
