Impotence (erectile dysfunction) can be caused by various factors, one of which is high blood pressure (arterial hypertension).
As early as 1988, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published the results of a noteworthy study, indicating that 49% of male patients aged 40 to 79 with arterial hypertension also experienced erectile dysfunction.
Later research, published in the year 2000 in the journal Urology (USA), revealed that 68% of patients with high blood pressure also suffered from erectile dysfunction to varying degrees. Additionally, 45% of those experiencing impotence had severe forms of hypertension.
High blood pressure disrupts the dilation of arteries responsible for filling the corpora cavernosa (erectile tissue) of the penis with blood. Furthermore, the smooth muscles in the penis may lose the ability to relax in response to nerve impulses from the brain. As a result, an adequate amount of blood fails to reach the cavernous tissues, impairing normal erection.
In addition to these physiological mechanisms, some men with hypertension also have low levels of testosterone in the blood — a crucial male sex hormone responsible for sexual arousal.
Multiple studies confirm that hypertension itself can lead to impotence. For example, in atherosclerosis — a condition closely linked to hypertension — atheromatous plaques develop in artery walls, including those of the pelvic arteries and at the bifurcation (branching) of the aorta. The penile arteries originate from these larger arteries, specifically the deep and superficial penile arteries branching from the internal and external pudendal arteries. When affected by atherosclerosis, these arteries narrow and restrict blood flow, further contributing to erectile dysfunction.
It’s also important to note that certain medications used to treat hypertension may cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. These include diuretics and beta-blockers.
Diuretics are medications that promote the elimination of excess fluid through the kidneys, thereby reducing blood volume in circulation. Consequently, the amount of blood that can flow to the penis during an erection also decreases. Diuretics can also lower zinc levels in the body — a mineral essential for testosterone production and the healthy function of the prostate gland.
Beta-blockers contribute to impotence by reducing nerve stimulation of the penile muscles and impairing the arteries’ ability to dilate during an erection. Less blood reaches the penis as a result. Furthermore, beta-blockers are known to contribute to depression, and psychological well-being plays a key role in maintaining normal sexual function.
Another significant point is that certain harmful habits, when combined with hypertension, exacerbate both the condition and the risk of developing impotence. One such habit is smoking. Smoking narrows small arteries, damages blood vessel walls, and is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Thus, it’s not surprising that smokers with hypertension experience erectile dysfunction at significantly higher rates.
Karazanashvili Robotic Center offers diagnostic and treatment services for erectile dysfunction using methods aligned with international medical standards.
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Tel.: +995 322 23 40 23
Email: info@mmt.ge
