Dr Amir Khan has sent out a strong message to anyone experiencing a common bedroom-related health issue, insisting they should not feel “embarrassed” and instead “see a doctor”.
After a 21-year-old reached out to the Private Parts podcast last year for advice on erectile dysfunction, Dr Khan pointed out that the “most common reason” for someone so young to encounter this problem is likely “to be anxiety”.
The well-known TV doctor, familiar from his appearances on This Morning and Good Morning Britain, noted that “there could be other reasons” for older individuals, citing “heart disease” among other potential causes.
Dr Khan explained: “However, if you’re an older person, over 35, over 40, there could be other reasons. So, to get an erection, Jamie, you need good blood flow to the penis.
“And for good blood flow, you need good open blood… healthy blood vessels in the penis. But the blood vessels in the penis are thin and tiny, and it doesn’t take much to clog them up,” reports Gloucestershire Live.
Expanding on the implications of poor blood flow, he added: “So, if there’s a problem with the blood flow, it could be because of cholesterol in the blood vessels. It could be because of damage from high blood sugars. It could be the first symptom of type 2 diabetes.”
Dr Khan stressed the importance of medical checks: “You should go and get checked out for those things because if there’s cholesterol or sugar in the blood vessels in the penis, there’s a good chance there’s cholesterol and sugar damaging the blood vessels to the heart.”
He concluded with a stark warning: “So it could be the first symptom of not just type 2 diabetes but heart disease as well. Go and get checked out.”
The GP further elaborated on the issue of erectile dysfunction in younger individuals, attributing it primarily to anxiety and “the pressure, perhaps”.
He described it as a “vicious cycle” where the fear of “not being able to get an erection” during intercourse actually hinders the ability to achieve one, suggesting psychosexual counselling as a solution.
Erectile dysfunction, also referred to as impotence, is quite prevalent, particularly among men over 40, as per the NHS. While it’s usually not a cause for concern, persistent occurrences should prompt a visit to the doctor.
The condition is characterised by the inability to either achieve or maintain an erection long enough for sexual activity. Common triggers include stress, fatigue, side effects from certain medications, and excessive alcohol consumption.
However, it can also be induced by high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, depression, anxiety, or hormonal issues.