High cholesterol is a risk factor for many conditions, including erectile dysfunction (ED).

Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a person with a penis is unable to get or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Although it is not usual to have this issue occasionally, people with ED experience it regularly.

There are several risk factors for developing ED, and high cholesterol can be one of them.

Keep reading to learn more about the link between high cholesterol and ED.

Is there a link?

Diabetes, heart disease, and blood vessel disease can each cause ED.
There are some links between ED and high cholesterol.

Generally speaking, ED is usually a symptom of another underlying health condition. In many cases, the underlying condition affects blood flow around the body, and this is what leads to ED. Examples of conditions that can lead to ED include:

diabetes
heart disease
blood vessel disease
atherosclerosis
high blood pressure
Peyronie’s disease
High cholesterol is an associated risk factor for many of these conditions, and, therefore, it can also increase a person’s likelihood of having ED.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is present in the blood. It is essential for several bodily functions, such as building new tissue and producing bile and sex hormones.

Although cholesterol is essential, too much can cause a lot of health problems. There are two main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

LDL cholesterol is the type that causes problems. It can stick to the inside of arteries, leading to a buildup of atheroma, a fatty substance that narrows the arteries and makes it difficult for blood to pass through.

The accumulation of this substance is called atherosclerosis, and it can cause some severe complications, including an increased risk of ED.

Learn more about the differences between HDL and LDL cholesterol here.