Can Neuropathy Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can feel like an unconquerable mountain. But you are not alone.

Thirty million American men struggle with it, and 50-75% of men with peripheral neuropathy struggle with some degree of erectile dysfunction. Worse yet, it can increase with the severity of nerve damage.

Erectile Dysfunction Statistics: A Growing Concern

In 1995, erectile dysfunction affected 150 million men worldwide. In 2025, the British Journal of Urology International projected that 322 million men would be affected.

The age groups most affected are ages 40 to 70. Statistics show that 40% of men in their forties deal with erectile dysfunction and 70% of men in their 70’s struggle with ED.

Furthermore, 25% of men under 40 also struggle with ED. 

Beyond erectile dysfunction, a clinical study from 2019 on 12,000 men found that 1 out of 20 men reported low sexual desire (low libido). 

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is not simply about “no erection.” ED includes a spectrum of issues spanning from difficulty achieving an erection to difficulty maintaining it during intercourse. 

If you are wondering if your struggle is ED, here are some common symptoms:

Reduced Rigidity

You may get an erection, but it lacks the firmness needed for penetration or satisfaction. 

Difficulty Maintaining an Erection

You may start with an erection, but it is short-lived, meaning it goes flaccid before actual intercourse or during intercourse. 

Lack of Spontaneous Erections

You experience a decline in erections that typically occur when you sleep or in the early mornings. 

Delayed or Reduced Responsiveness

Your erection may take longer to achieve, even with adequate stimulation.

Decreased Libido

Sexual arousal, often initiated by a healthy libido, triggers the release of nitric oxide and other chemical molecules to increase blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection.

If your libido is low, it can interrupt the process, making it more difficult to initiate or maintain an erection. 

Common Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

It is important to know and understand the causes of erectile dysfunction. Otherwise, once your function is restored, you run the risk of developing ED again. 

Vascular Disease or Heart Disease

The most common cause of erectile dysfunction is vascular disease or heart disease. 

Chronic heart disease, due to atherosclerosis (plaquing of the arteries), high blood pressure, or vascular damage, can impair blood flow to the penis.

Diabetes

The second largest cause is diabetes. Up to 50% of men with diabetes will experience erectile dysfunction. If these men also suffer from diabetic neuropathy, then their risk skyrockets up to 75%.

Hormonal Imbalance

The obvious hormone is low testosterone. Unfortunately, the average doctor is clueless about the optimum range for your testosterone levels, so you want to get tested by a doctor who specializes in male andropause or bioidentical hormone replacement.

What is the normal range?

The labs list normal testosterone levels in the range of 249 ng/dL to 1070 ng/dL. This wide range does not mean that someone with 300 levels functions the same as someone in the 700s. 

Unfortunately, the average doctor looks at your values, and if you are over 60, they say your testosterone is normal. It is not, and you will not feel your best.

Low testosterone causes lethargy, slows down recovery, and you will not sexually perform as you did before. 

Optimally, your total testosterone should be between 600 and 1000 ng/DL, and your free testosterone should be between 15 and 25 ng/dL. You important to know both your free testosterone and your total testosterone.

Your total testosterone  is a measure of your bound testosterone and free testosterone combined, while your free testosterone shows the amount of testosterone available for immediate use. 

Hypothyroidism is a possible cause of reduced testosterone levels, so we also recommend checking your thyroid function as well. 

Peripheral Neuropathy and Erectile Dysfunction

Peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are closely linked due to the role of nerves in controlling blood flow, muscle responses, and sensory feedback in the body. 

While most people who research peripheral neuropathy know of the symptoms that affect the hands and feet (motor and sensory nerves), there is another category called autonomic neuropathy.

These nerves handle everything your body does without thinking about them, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, blood pressure, bowel and bladder, and sexual function. These nerves control the blood flow to the penis for an erection or relaxation of smooth muscles. 

When the autonomic nerves get damaged, it disrupts the signals for an erection, resulting in reduced sensation in the groin or pelvis. It also can interfere with erection reflexes and ejaculation or any of the other issues. Furthermore, the damage can result in neuropathic pain in the groin, genitalia, and pelvic basin.

Peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction share common causes like diabetes, poor circulation due to damaged blood vessels, and nutrient deficiencies. Needless to say, there is a strong association with neuropathy and ED.

Medications

Many medications cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect of interfering with hormones, neurotransmitter balance, blood flow, or nerve function. Different classes of medication that can result in ED are:

• Antidepressants
• Antihypertensives (blood pressure medication)
• Antipsychotic and antiseizure drugs
• Corticosteroids (like prednisone)
• Antiulcer medications (like cimetidine, Tagamet, Prilosec, or nexium)
• Regular antihistamine use (benadryl or claratin)

These medications can cause erectile dysfunction.

Other Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Other causes that often go unnoticed include obesity, poor diet, and bad lifestyle habits. 

Obesity and lack of exercise impair testosterone production. 

A poor diet, along with smoking or chronic/excessive alcohol use, causes systemic inflammation, leading to damaged blood vessels.

Lastly, nutrient deficiencies can also cause ED. These deficiencies include B vitamins, especially B12, zinc, and vitamin D.

Struggling with Neuropathy?

Dr. Coppola and Dr. Monteiro’s dedication to combating neuropathy is deeply personal, stemming from Dr. Monteiro’s experience with her mother’s severe chemo-induced neuropathy. This personal journey fueled their commitment to develop a systematic, drug-free approach to reversing neuropathy.

They founded the San Antonio Neuropathy Center, where they’ve successfully treated over 18,000 patients over the past two decades. Their acclaimed book, “Defeat Neuropathy Now in Spite of Your Doctor,” along with their neuropathy product line, stands as a testament to their expertise and innovative solutions.

Recognized as leading neuropathy specialists in America, Dr. Coppola and Dr. Monteiro offer a beacon of hope for those diagnosed with this challenging condition. If you or a loved one is seeking relief from neuropathy, reach out to us at 844 400-0101 or email us through our contact page – Click here.

Your path to healing can start today.