There are two words no man ever wants to hear: erectile dysfunction. One of the primary reasons a guy may devote so much time to maintaining his penis health is precisely because he wants to avoid the development of erectile dysfunction. Yet this issue can have many different factors as a cause, some of which may be beyond the control of any man – and a study in an Italian medical journal raises the possibility that one of those causes may be a guy’s own blood type.
Basics
Every guy has a fear of erectile dysfunction, but many men just have a vague, general idea that it’s all about soft penises that are unable to penetrate vaginas and cause embarrassment and mortification for their owners. According to the Mayo Clinic, erectile dysfunction is defined simply as “the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.”
It is not the same as premature ejaculation. Every man has some instances where his penis does not perform in the way he would like it to, but a guy typically isn’t said to have erectile dysfunction unless the problem is recurrent or chronic.
Causes
As previously mentioned, there can be several factors that contribute to the development and continuation of erectile dysfunction. In many cases, there can be a psychological component involved. For example, men who are depressed or experience significant stress or anxiety may often find their sex lives affected. Libido can be negatively impacted, and episodes of impotence can occur.
Another psychological issue that can impact sexual performance concerns the state of a man’s relationship with a partner; if there is poor communication or many unstated negative feelings, this may affect erectile function as well.
But physical factors also play a role. Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, metabolic syndrome and Peyronie’s disease can all interfere with erectile function. Obesity or overuse of alcohol or tobacco can also be a factor, as can sleep disorders, certain medications and prostate treatments. And so can factors that relate to heart health, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and clogged blood vessels.
The study
A recent study in The Archives of Italian Urology and Andrology suggests that blood type may be a cause. The “Are erectile dysfunctions enabled by ABO blood group?” study examined the records of 350 men, 111 of which suffered from erectile dysfunction. When the researchers controlled for other factors, there was a definite difference in the risk for erectile dysfunction based on blood type. Those with type A or B were about 4 times more likely to have erectile issues than those with type O – and men with type AB were about 5 times as likely.
Why should this be? Some earlier studies have indicated that some blood types (especially AB) are more likely to develop heart issues, including clogged vessels. Because penile blood vessels are smaller than many other vessels, it may mean they are prone to developing plaque and clogs earlier. When there are clogs, blood has a harder time reaching the penis, which has a definite impact on the entire erectile process. Or there may be other reasons for this link.
Of course, this is only one study, and not one designed to examine the range of possible causes. Still, men with non-type O blood may want to take extra steps to keep their penis in good health to avoid erectile issues.
Whatever the blood type, erectile dysfunction is less likely when penis health is maintained at a high level. Daily use of a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) helps maintain that health. Definitely select a crème with L-arginine, an amino acid that plays a role in the chain of events which impacts blood vessel dilation, making it easier for penile blood vessels to remain open and flowing. Also select a crème with vitamin C, which is a key component of collagen, thereby helping to give penis skin elasticity and tone necessary for erections.
