Avoiding erectile dysfunction is clearly a priority for most men, and maintaining good penile health is one way to help. However, sometimes there are physical issues that can contribute to erectile dysfunction that can seem a bit far from the penis. This is because the body is a complex and interrelated system, so a problem in one area of the body can have ramifications elsewhere. That is the case with gallstones, which have been found to be associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
What are gallstones?
Also called gallbladder stones, gallstones are made up of digestive fluid that has hardened and solidified. The digestive fluid in this case is bile, which the gallbladder produces as its contribution to helping break down the food and drink a person consumes. Normally, bile flows from the gallbladder to the small intestine, but sometimes it hardens into gallstones.
What makes it stop being normal bile and turn into gallstones? Doctors aren’t exactly sure, but it seems to happen when the body makes too much cholesterol or too much bilirubin. (Bilirubin is created by the liver to help break down red blood cells.) It also seems that sometimes the gallbladder doesn’t get rid of enough bile; if too much bile remains in the gallbladder, it can also contribute to the formation of gallstones.
Gallstones can often be very small lumps, so they may not cause symptoms. However, when they are larger, they can get stuck in a duct and this can be quite painful. Common symptoms in this case include sudden, severe pain in the upper right and/or center of the abdomen and between the shoulder blades or shoulder. Nausea and vomiting often occur as well. In severe cases, the skin and eyes may turn yellow, and a high fever (sometimes accompanied by chills) may develop.
The erectile dysfunction connection
Clearly gallstones are no fun, but why should they contribute to erectile dysfunction? According to an article in the American Journal of Men’s Health that looked at more than 9,000 men with gallstones and more than 9,000 without, finding that the rate of erectile dysfunction was about 50% higher in the gallstone group .
More studies are needed to determine exactly why there is a link, but one of the theories put forward is that gallstones create oxidative stress, which can lead to poor penile blood flow; Open and proper blood flow is necessary and crucial for proper erectile function.
Watch out
Preventing gallstones is the best for man. Since they are associated with obesity, maintaining a healthy weight is the best route to take. Men who are overweight should avoid programs that cause rapid weight loss, as this can increase the risk of developing gallstones. Keeping regular meals is also a good way to prevent the problem; Skipping meals or fasting also increases the risk of gallstones.
Many gallstones resolve naturally. Treatment for those who don’t can include oral medications to help break up the gallstones, but this can be time consuming. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the gallbladder.
The impact of gallstones on erectile dysfunction is still being studied. In the meantime, men are advised to take steps to prevent them and maintain good penile health. Regular use of a top-class penis health cream (Health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe for skin.) can help with the latter. Take the time to see what’s in the possible cream selections. The best should include a wide range of vitamins, including A, B5, C, D, and E; their tropical application via a cream helps them target the penis more effectively. The cream should also include a powerful antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, to help combat oxidative stress on the delicate penile skin.