Can Erectile Dysfunction Lead to Male Infertility?

Male infertility is an issue faced by almost one-third of couples who are struggling to conceive. There are various causes of male infertility which can result from issues such as low sperm production, underlying sperm abnormalities, blockages in the sperm delivery etc. Erectile dysfunction is another problem faced by a number of individuals regardless of their age, and a common concern for many is that it can cause infertility.

How true is this notion? While ED does not cause male infertility, the root causes of the two could be the same. Infertility and ED are very different terms. An individual could be producing perfectly healthy sperm whilst facing an issue achieving an erection. That is erectile dysfunction. But on the other hand, there might not be any issues with erections or ejaculation but an issue with the sperm. That is infertility.

For someone who has ED, delivering the semen when trying to conceive could be an issue. But since ED eminently is treatable in most cases, it isn’t a cause for concern generally. However, it is always better to have a word with your doctor as ED may be a signal about cardiovascular problems, problems with your nervous system or a side effect of certain medications.

So, while ED can be a contributing factor to problems experienced when trying to get pregnant, it certainly isn’t a cause of infertility. On the other hand, infertility itself can cause anxiety or depression which could be a contributing factor to developing ED. ED and infertility can be related in some aspects but do not directly cause each other.