Metabolic Syndrome: Internal Warning Flags of Sexual Dysfunction 

When people experience sexual dysfunction, they wonder if there were signs they could have spotted beforehand. The truth is, apart from knowing the causes, you can predict your likelihood of developing sexual dysfunction by checking if you have metabolic syndrome. This article discusses metabolic syndrome, its criteria, and some lifestyle tips for recovery. 

What is Metabolic Syndrome? 

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase your risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and stroke. It has five criteria, and you only need to meet three to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Most of these conditions are due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, which means metabolic syndrome can be prevented and reversed. If left unaddressed, metabolic syndrome can lead to organ damage or complications like sexual dysfunction. 

5 Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome 

Metabolic syndrome involves five biomarkers. Each of these biomarkers has a specific measurement to qualify for the metabolic syndrome. 

Abdominal Obesity 

Unlike typical obesity, which is based on exceeding 30 on the body mass index (BMI) scale, abdominal obesity measures your waist circumference. If your waist circumference exceeds 40 inches, you'd be classified as having abdominal obesity. However, the International Diabetes Federation sets the bar lower at 35 inches. Other measurements of abdominal obesity include a waist-hip ratio above 0.9 and a waist-height ratio above 0.5. Research shows that abdominal obesity may be more dangerous than general obesity. 

The difference between abdominal and general obesity comes down to which type of fat is abundant. For abdominal obesity, since the fat is concentrated around the waist, a huge chunk of it is likely to be visceral fat (the fat around your organs). Meanwhile, if you have general obesity, you'd also have other types of fat in abundance. This means that with abdominal obesity, you can have a normal BMI or appear thin overall but still have a bulging belly. Visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. 

High Blood Pressure 

Normal blood pressure is measured at 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is diagnosed if you reach at least 130/80 mmHg or your diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) is 85 mmHg or higher. Your blood pressure may become temporarily elevated, around 121-129/80 mmHg, when you exert yourself physically, which is normal. However, if your measurement remains high even when you're at rest (particularly if you have a sedentary lifestyle), you should still get checked by a doctor. 

High blood pressure is linked to various cardiovascular diseases because of how it affects your blood vessels. When you have consistently high blood pressure, your blood vessels might harden. In terms of sexual health, the usual consequence of this is erectile dysfunction. For an erection to occur, your penile vessels must dilate or widen to allow increased blood flow. Your blood vessels can't do this if they are stiff. High blood pressure has also been linked to low libido among men. 

High Blood Glucose 

High blood glucose, also called hyperglycaemia or high blood sugar, occurs when a man has a blood glucose level higher than 125 mg/dL after fasting for 8 to 12 hours. You're likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes by this point. You're still not off the hook if your blood glucose is lower than that, as measuring 100 to 125 mg/dL counts as pre-diabetes. You must fast before a blood test because glucose spikes temporarily after eating. 

Unlike the other criteria, high blood sugar shows symptoms such as frequent urination at night, increased thirst, blurred vision, and constant fatigue. You may also develop darkening in your underarms, neck, and back. So, if you experience any of these symptoms alongside erectile dysfunction, it's important to get your blood glucose levels tested as soon as possible. You may also want to be checked for cardiovascular diseases because insulin resistance, a consequence of high blood sugar, negatively impacts your blood vessels. 

Low HDL Cholesterol 

HDL cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol, helps keep your LDL cholesterol levels within a normal range. While LDL cholesterol is often called "bad" cholesterol, your body needs it to build tissues and produce hormones. However, having too much LDL cholesterol can lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis, where cholesterol accumulates in the walls of your blood vessels. This leads to high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction. 

If HDL cholesterol is lower than 40 mg/dL, it's a red flag for men. This means you don't have enough HDL cholesterol to remove excess LDL cholesterol. A lack of HDL cholesterol is also linked to chronic inflammation, which is another contributor to chronic diseases and sexual dysfunction. However, excess HDL cholesterol (above 80 mg/dL) is also linked to atherosclerosis. Note that most people don't reach the healthy HDL cholesterol range in their lipid panel test results. Smoking, which causes erectile dysfunction, also contributes to low HDL levels. 

Hypertriglyceridaemia 

Hypertriglyceridaemia occurs when you have excessive amounts of triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that provides energy. This condition is diagnosed if your lipid profile (blood test) results show 150 mg/dL or above. The ideal triglyceride level is 100 mg/dL, so you should still aim to lower your triglycerides if they are close to 150 mg/dL. Additionally, you would need to fast, just like when measuring blood glucose, because eating affects your results. 

Some foods you consume, like oil and butter, increase your triglyceride levels. The body also converts excess calories into triglycerides, which is why obesity is associated with elevated levels of triglycerides. Triglycerides are not inherently harmful, as the body will use them for energy if glucose is not readily accessible. However, too many triglycerides can raise your LDL cholesterol. Studies show that high triglyceride levels are associated with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. 

Naturally Reversing Metabolic Syndrome 

It's possible to reverse metabolic syndrome by just making lifestyle changes. However, this would depend on how extreme your conditions are and if you already have a chronic disease. For example, if you have atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes, you might need urgent medical intervention to stabilise your health. 

Here are some lifestyle tips to counteract metabolic syndrome: 

• Reduce your carbs – rather than calories, you might want to watch your carbohydrates instead. When people think of diabetes, they often think of sweet food and drinks. However, glucose is derived from carbohydrates like rice, pasta, and bread. Even if you're not into sweets, you might still be flooding your body with glucose. 
• Balance your salt intake – salt is another crucial player in preventing metabolic syndrome. Few people know that the body can try to compensate for having excess salt by storing it in your muscles and skin. Yes, salt can make you gain weight and contribute to obesity. You can prevent this by consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of salt per day and sweating off enough of it. 
• Avoid ultra-processed food – ultra-processed food is anything with additives or chemicals that increase its shelf life. If you buy a food product with a list of ingredients, chances are it's ultra-processed. That's why your best choice will be to buy whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs. These don't come with a list of ingredients. You may also check the NOVA Classification. 
• Exercise regularly – exercise regulates your blood pressure and helps you manage stress effectively. It also strengthens your pelvic floor muscles, boosts stamina and stimulates hormones that keep you mentally healthy. You're less likely to binge fast food or make poor choices the better your mental state is. Aim to do some physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week. 
• Don't compromise your sleep – if you lack sleep, your cortisol levels and inflammation increase. You're likelier to make unhealthy choices because you're not thinking straight, and you don't feel good. That's why you should always strive for at least 7 hours of sleep or whatever number of hours doesn't leave you feeling groggy when you wake up (some need more sleep). 

Conclusion 

You can prevent chronic diseases and sexual dysfunction through annual physical examinations that check for metabolic syndrome. You can also reverse metabolic syndrome by adopting a healthy lifestyle. And if you're experiencing sexual dysfunction and suspect you have metabolic syndrome, book an appointment with us. Our comprehensive treatment includes dietary advice, counselling, and custom medications– perfect for a lifestyle overhaul!