cholesterol and erectile dysfunction (ED)

by Janet Casperson, BS, MSN, ANP-C

Lipids, cholesterol or the fat in our cells and blood stream are necessary for life but in excess they can promote cardiovascular disease and cause an early demise. Cardiovascular disease is directy related to erectile dysfunction. Most people do not understand lipids and cholesterol. Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body. It is important to have healthy levels of both.

LDL and HDL Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called "bad" cholesterol or easier to remember, "lethal" cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol leads to a buildup of cholesterol in arteries. The higher the LDL level in your blood, the greater chance you have of getting heart disease.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is sometimes called good cholesterol or "healthy" cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver removes the cholesterol from your body. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the lower your chance of getting heart disease.

HDL and erectile dysfunction

The Massachusetts Male Aging Study found that elevation of the HDL cholesterol has been associated with longevity and preservation of erectile dysfunction no matter the age, whereas elevation of the LDL cholesterol, called dyslipidemia, has been associated with early cardiovascular disease and early erectile dysfunction. We have devoted an entire article to dyslipidemia as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. There are many new medications that specifically address dyslipidemia that we will talk about in the treatment section of the website.

Fatty diet and erectile dysfunction

Many factors affect cholesterol in the blood, including diet, weight, exercise, heredity, age and sex. Of these, we can control diet, weight and exercise.

An atherogenic diet that contains too much dietary cholesterol and saturated fat and too little polyunsaturated fat is known to promote plaque formation and early atherosclerosis. Our body needs healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil to manufacture the necessary hormones for the correct functioning of our bodies. 

Eating unhealthy or saturated fat such as that found in animal fat and fatty red meats, eggs, palm oil and coconut oil contribute to the elevation of LDL or low density lipoproteins, the "lethal" cholesterol. This kind of diet is strongly associated with erectile dysfunction.

References: See Bibliography

August 2006
Posted August 2008
Updated August 2009