Can losing weight treat erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a common ailment of men above the age of 40. Approximately 52% of men aged 40 to 70 years old suffer from erectile dysfunction (NICE CKS, 2024). This is defined as the complete inability to achieve an erection long enough to have sex. While less common, ED affects 8% of men aged 20–29 and 11% of men aged 30–39 (Medical News Today, 2023).

Key Takeaways

Obesity and Erectile Dysfunction (ED):

• Obesity is a significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Men with higher BMIs are more likely to experience ED due to impaired blood flow caused by constricted blood vessels. Losing weight through diet and exercise can improve erectile function.

Associated Health Conditions:

• Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heavy alcohol consumption also increase the risk of ED. Managing these conditions through lifestyle changes and medication can help reduce the risk and improve overall health.

Medications for Weight Loss and ED:

• Several medications can aid weight loss and help manage ED. Weight loss medications include Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Orlistat. Popular ED treatments include Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Vitaros, Spedra, Viagra Connect, and Cialis Together. These medications can improve erectile function, especially when combined with lifestyle changes.

Obesity tied to ED

In the United States, diabetes and obesity are responsible for 8 million diagnoses of erectile dysfunction. Skrypnik et al (2014) found that as BMI increases, so do chances of erectile dysfunction.

What is BMI?

BMI stands for "Body Mass Index". It is a person's weight in kilograms, divided by their height in meters squared. BMI doesn't directly measure body fat, and also does not account for age, sex, ethnicity or muscle mass. However, an individual's BMI will raise or lower based on how much body fat they have, and a higher BMI has been tied to increased instances of erectile dysfunction.

Losing weight may reverse erectile dysfunction

In the study referenced above, 110 men who were considered obese went through a program of exercise and a better diet over a period of two years. The men were aged between 33 and 55. After two years, participants lost an average of 33 pounds. Approximately one-third of the participants reported a significant improvement in their ability to achieve an erection.

Obesity is a high risk factor for ED

Four out of five men who have erectile dysfunction have a BMI greater than 25. Men who have a BMI higher than 28.7 have a 30% greater risk for developing erectile dysfunction. That is approximately 210 pounds for a man who is 6'0" tall. Being overweight opens both men and women up to other risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

Other conditions which raise risk of ED

Men who have high blood pressure, diabetes or pre-diabetes are also at risk of developing erectile dysfunction (Diabetes UK, 2023; Blood Pressure UK, 2024). Men who heavily consume alcohol or take blood pressure medication are also at a higher risk (Drinkaware, 2023).

Video: Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction

Drinkaware have put together a helpful video to highlight how drinking alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction in men:

Why does obesity raise the risk of ED?

In a nutshell, being overweight impedes blood flow. Just as alcohol and heart medication can lower blood pressure, resulting in an elevated chance of experiencing ED through less blood circulating to the penis, being overweight constricts blood vessels which has the same effect of limiting blood flow that assists in producing an erection.

Obesity may harm blood vessels

Healthy young people who put on as little as 9 pounds of fat in the abdomen are at risk of developing endothelial cell dysfunction (Mayo Clinic, 2010). These cells line blood vessels and control the ability of the vessels to expand or contract. This condition is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular issues.

Among those who gained weight in their abdomens (known as visceral fat), even though their blood pressure remained healthy, researchers found that the regulation of blood flow through their arm arteries was impaired due to endothelial dysfunction. Once the volunteers lost the weight, the blood flow recovered.

Can ED be reversed without medication?

A study by Martin et al (2014) that followed 810 men who experienced some form of erectile dysfunction were able to reverse the condition. Over a five year period, 29% of men were able to reverse erectile dysfunction through natural means. The study also determined that, even in cases where men required ed medication, that addressing lifestyle factors made the medication more effective.

The lead author of the paper, Dr. Sean Martin from the University of Adelaide's Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, says: "Even when medication to help with erectile function is required, it is likely to be considerably more effective if lifestyle factors are also addressed.

Medication to control obesity

If you are overweight and believe that this is contributing to problems with erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor about which medical treatments could help you.  

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is a medication designed to aid weight loss by targeting multiple hormone pathways including GLP-1 and GIP, which regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.

Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Wegovy works by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate appetite and digestion, specifically the GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Saxenda (Liraglutide)

Saxenda assists weight loss by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to regulate appetite and slow digestion.

Orlistat

Orlistat (also known by the brand names Alli or Xenical) works by inhibiting pancreatic lipase, an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides in the intestine, thereby blocking the absorption of dietary fat.

Medication to help with ED

There are a number of popular medications to help with erectile dysfunction. If you are overweight and need assistance getting an erection before you have lost weight, you can buy sildenafil or other popular ED medications such as Cialis or Levitra.

Viagra (sildenafil)

Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis, facilitating an erection.

Cialis (tadalafil)

Cialis helps to treat erectile dysfunction by enhancing blood flow to the penis and can also be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Levitra (vardenafil)

Levitra treats erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis to help achieve and maintain an erection.

Vitaros (alprostadil)

Vitaros is a topical cream that treats erectile dysfunction by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis.

Spedra (avanafil)

Spedra works to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis, aiding in achieving and maintaining an erection.

Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter medication that treats erectile dysfunction by enhancing blood flow to the penis.

Cialis Together

Cialis Together is a daily over-the-counter medication that treats erectile dysfunction and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by improving blood flow to the penis.

Conclusion

If you are overweight and experiencing erectile dysfunction, losing the extra weight may reverse ED. In addition, even if your ED is not fully cured, losing weight can make ED pills more effective. See your doctor today to work out a solution for treating your obesity and/or erectile dysfunction conditions.