A Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Dr Ayodele Ademola, has debunked the belief that intake of sugary and sweet things could cause erectile dysfunction, except through the instrumentality of diabetes.
Ademola, also the Medical Director, StrongTower Hospital and Advanced Fertility Centre, a Lagos-based private medical facility, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
He, however, advised that people with potency problem should be more conscious of what they ate, as diet and lifestyle could contribute to potency problem.
According to him, diet is one of the recognised causes of potency problem otherwise known as Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
“If an individual is not diabetic, the fact that he eats sugary things alone will not make him develop potency problem.
“Obesity and diabetes are risk factors for erectile dysfunction.
“Poor eating habits may lead to a person becoming overweight or obese, which may in turn contribute to potency problem.
“But the first is for people to know that erectile dysfunction is a very common problem so that they shouldn’t see it as something strange and start taking all kinds of drugs with the view of correcting it.
“It is important to recognise that this thing is a common problem so that the person will not become unduly worried because diabetes and worry are majorly recognised causes of impotency,” he said.
He noted that foods that could cause diabetes, could also contribute to potency problem because diabetes was a recognised cause of erectile dysfunction.
He added that diets high in saturated fats were linked to heart disease, saying that men with heart disease were more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.
The gynecologist explained that erectile dysfunction was a common medical disorder whose prevalence was increasing worldwide, saying that studies had established that ED prevalence increases with age.
Highlighting the importance of improved screening and awareness about erectile dysfunction, Ademola said the condition often serves as an early warning sign for more serious underlying health conditions.
He said that changes to diet, exercise, reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption could reduce the risk of developing conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease that lead to erectile dysfunction
“Healthy lifestyle habits like getting regular exercise, eating a varied and nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco can be helpful.
These lifestyle habits improve blood flow, balance hormones, and protect overall vascular health.
“A healthy person would always perform better.
“So, the idea of staying healthy in terms of activities and diet should be encouraged,” he said.
· Common Causes
ED is typically classified by its underlying root causes, which can sometimes overlap:
Vascular Issues: Clogged or hardened blood vessels (atherosclerosis) restrict the necessary blood flow to the penis.
Medical Conditions: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease significantly increase risk.
Psychological Factors: Performance anxiety, stress, depression, and relationship conflicts can disrupt brain signals.
Lifestyle Behaviors: Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of exercise restrict arterial health.
Medications: Certain prescription drugs like antidepressants or blood pressure medications can have ED as a side effect.
Neurological Disorders: Conditions like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease interfere with nerve responses.
· Available Treatment Options
Modern medicine offers a variety of highly successful treatments depending on the severity and cause:
Lifestyle Changes: Improving diet, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking can reverse mild ED.
Oral Medications: Oral phosphodiesterase inhibitors may temporarily boost penile blood flow.
Counseling: Sex therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy helps manage underlying anxiety and stress.
Alprostadil Therapy: Locally applied gels or self-injections widen blood vessels directly.
Vacuum Devices: Mechanical pump tubes physically draw blood into the tissues to generate firmness.
Surgical Implants: In severe, unyielding cases, surgically implanted penile prosthetics provide a permanent option.
