Vitamin D for Erectile Dysfunction: Is it Possible to Cure ED with Vitamin D3?

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or impotence can manifest itself in men via multiple medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep disorders, heart diseases, etc. Interstingly, these conditions might also be the reasons behind erectile dysfunction, apart from aging and some negative lifestyle habits. 

We have no control over aging, but somehow we can control the other factors with the help of some small changes in our daily life habits; like having a healthy diet, daily exercise, maintaining the correct body weight, abstaining from things like alcohol, tobacco, and other toxic substances, and so on. Needless to mention, maintaining stable mental health is equally crucial for a healthy sex life. 

Starting with ‘having a healthy diet’, this expression is a vast concept. One needs to include a wide range of macro and micronutrients in order to build the right kind of shield against the symptoms of sexual problems like erectile dysfunction. 

Having said that, Vitamin D is one of the most important micronutrients that both men and women are in need of. But as of now, let us see how it is associated with addressing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in men. 

Vitamin D and Erectile Dysfunction

Vitamin D is one of the most looked into vitamins micronutrients, associated with treating ED symptoms. To be precise, Vitamin D happens to be a steroid hormone that has been linked with sexual function and cardiovascular health. It is capable of reducing oxidative stress, regulating blood pressure, and stimulating nitric oxide production; and of course, all of these are of great help in regulating the symptoms of ED. 

A study in 2020, and another survey in 2018, showed a significant association between low Vitamin D levels and severe problems of erection in men. 

Vitamin D deficiency has been a common factor for about 35% of the male population with symptoms of erectile dysfunction. 

It is important to point out that some previous research showed that people with hypogonadism also had low levels of vitamin D. With the human chorionic gonadotropin treatment for hypogonadism, their Vitamin D levels increased significantly. 

Study shows that a significant proportion of ED patients have a Vitamin D deficiency, and this condition is more frequent in patients with arteriogenic etiology. 

A generous amount of Vitamin D in the blood is crucial for a healthy sex life in men. A decent blood concentration of Vitamin D may promote arterial blood supply to the cavernous bodies by improving endothelial vasodilation via mediating the bioavailability of NO, which is an effective endothelium vasodilator. 

Calcitriol, which is the active form of vitamin D, is somehow linked with the production of nitric oxide (NO) in cultured endothelial cells, and NO is a potent vasodilator associated with penile erection. 

Vitamin D deficiency may weaken erectile function by promoting endothelial dysfunction. When the level of Vitamin D is below 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood, it is time that you should think about various sources of this crucial micronutrient. 

The normal level of Vitamin D [serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D] is somewhere between 30 and 80 ng/ml. 

The incidence of ED declines when serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are over 35 ng/ml. 

Low serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are strong diagnostic criteria for ED in men with type 2 Diabetes, as the deficiency of this vitamin affects endothelial function consequently increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. 

The recommended daily amount of Vitamin D is 600 international units (IU) for adults aged 18–70 years and 800 IU for adults older than 70 years. 

Further, to maintain or improve endothelial and erectile function, one needs to maintain serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D above 30 ng/mL, for which one needs to take at least 1500–2000 IU/day of supplemental Vitamin D.

Therefore, we are in a position to anticipate that Vitamin D deficiency might be associated with ED, especially in men with underlying endothelial dysfunction. However, further studies are needed to strengthen the role of hypovitaminosis D deficiency in male ED.

How to get the right Vitamin D3 Dosage for Erectile Dysfunction? 

A few dietary changes, vitamin supplementation, and decent exposure to sunlight are the simplest ways of adding this important vitamin to one’s system, in order to stay away from erection problems. 

One can get more of Vitamin D by regularly exposing their skin to the sun while using an SPF to protect the skin from UV damage. It is also possible to get Vitamin D from certain foods such as:

• Oily fish, including salmon and sardines
• Mushrooms
• Milk
• Cereals
• Egg yolk
• Beef liver

Some may also opt for Vitamin D supplements. 

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