Can arterial atherosclerosis cause male sexual dysfunction?

Can arterial atherosclerosis cause male sexual dysfunction?

Male sexual genitalia is supplied with abundant vascular supply, which is provided mainly by the Iliac arteries. Arterial atherosclerosis results in a decrease in blood flow to the organs that it supplies. So, for example, if it affects the femoral artery, which supplies the leg, there will be pain and ischemia symptoms in the leg; when atherosclerosis affects the Aorta or the Iliac arteries, that will affect the supply to the legs as well as the blood supply to the pelvis which contains the sexual organs. Usually, for this to cause a significant decrease in blood supply, Can arterial atherosclerosis cause male sexual dysfunction?

The male genital area receives a substantial blood supply, primarily from the iliac arteries. When arterial atherosclerosis occurs, it reduces blood flow to the organs it supplies. For instance, if the femoral artery, which supplies blood to the legs, is affected, it can result in symptoms like pain and ischemia in the legs. Similarly, if atherosclerosis impacts the aorta or the iliac arteries, it can affect blood flow not only to the legs but also to the pelvis, which contains the sexual organs.

Significant reductions in blood supply usually require both the distal aorta and the iliac arteries to be affected. A condition known as Leriche syndrome is characterized by severe atherosclerosis of the distal aorta and the common iliac arteries, leading to total blockage. This results in symptoms such as bilateral leg intermittent claudication and erectile dysfunction.

Additionally, it is common for patients with severe atherosclerosis to have multiple medical co-morbidities, such as decreased cardiac function and diabetes. The distal Aorta or both Iliac arteries have to be affected.

Lariech disease is a severe atherosclerosis of the distal Aorta and common iliac arteries, which causes total occlusion, which results in bilateral leg intermittent claudication and erectile dysfunction.

It is common for patients with severe atherosclerosis to have multiple medical co-morbidities, which can also affect sexual function negatively.