Drinking coffee is part of the morning ritual for many people. The caffeine in coffee helps provide the energy to help people get their day started. According to data released by Statista, an average person in New Zealand is expected to consume around 1.81 kg of coffee in 2025. Is there more to coffee than just being part of the morning ritual? Can caffeine affect erectile dysfunction? Is there a connection between caffeine intake and erectile dysfunction? Let’s find out.
What is caffeine?
Before we dive into the connection between caffeine and erectile dysfunction, let’s quickly explore what caffeine is and why people love it. Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant. Although coffee is the most popular source of caffeine, you can also find caffeine in tea leaves and cocoa beans. Caffeine is a psychoactive substance. It stimulates the central nervous system to make people feel more alert and energised. Aside from natural sources, you can also get caffeine from some over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relievers and cold medicines. Caffeine is also present in energy drinks. Now that we know what caffeine is and what it does, let’s learn more about how can caffeine cause erectile dysfunction.
Caffeine and erectile function
The caffeine effect on erectile dysfunction is a complicated topic because while some studies suggest that too much caffeine causes erectile dysfunction, others claim that there is no concrete proof supporting the relationship between erectile dysfunction and caffeine. It is also important to consider that gauging the effects of caffeine on erectile function hinges on the amount of caffeine one consumes and that person’s overall health. Let’s take a closer look at this connection.
The positives:
- It improves blood flow – A healthy flow of blood to the penis is crucial to erectile function. When a man gets aroused, blood fills the tissues inside the penis. This causes the penis to swell and get erect. So, what does coffee have to do with blood flow? The caffeine in coffee is a vasodilator. This means that it helps the blood vessels relax. Relaxed blood vessels mean more blood flowing through them to help aid erectile function.
- It helps boost energy – Caffeine is a stimulant, so consuming it can make you more energetic and alert. Consuming caffeine causes an increase in one’s heart rate and breathing. This results in a feeling of increased energy. Caffeine also blocks adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a chemical that promotes sleepiness. By blocking adenosine and its effects, caffeine helps you feel more awake and alert. This can help give you the stamina to engage in sexual intercourse even if you are tired. It can also be helpful for those who want to prolong sexual intercourse but lack the stamina to do so.
- It helps improve mood – According to an article published by the American Medical Association, low doses of caffeine may help with depression. Caffeine stimulates dopamine to improve mood. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. This property of caffeine can be beneficial to men experiencing erectile dysfunction because of stress, anxiety, or depression. These mood disorders can affect one’s well-being and lead to decreased libido. As a result, it can lead to erectile dysfunction or worsen it.
- It might lower risks of ED – According to a study published by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), men who consume between 85 and 175 mg of coffee every day are 42% less likely to report experiencing erectile dysfunction. Those who consume between 171 and 303 mg of coffee every day are 39% less likely to report experiencing erectile dysfunction. This is the same for men, whether they are of ideal weight, overweight, obese, or hypertensive. So, how does caffeine affect erectile dysfunction? According to the said journal article, caffeine triggers pharmacological effects that help the penile arteries and cavernous smooth muscles relax. This helps ensure that more blood gets into the penis for strong and lasting erections.
The negatives:
Does too much caffeine cause erectile dysfunction? Yes, too much caffeine might contribute to erectile dysfunction.
- It might cause anxiety – Although drinking coffee might help improve one’s mood and relieve stress, taking excessive amounts of caffeine can also be bad for you. Excessive amounts mean consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine on a daily basis. Drinking too much coffee can lead to overstimulation. This results in physical symptoms similar to those of an anxiety attack. These symptoms include sweating, a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and shaking. So, what’s the connection, and how does caffeine cause erectile dysfunction? Anxiety is one of the common psychological factors contributing to erectile dysfunction. Anxiety affects hormone levels. It also negatively affects your nerves and blood flow.
- It might raise blood pressure – Caffeine can temporarily raise an individual’s blood pressure. This is more likely for those who are not regular coffee drinkers or for those who are already suffering from hypertension. Although the rise in blood pressure is temporary, it might have a significant health impact on some individuals. Can excessive caffeine cause erectile dysfunction by raising one’s blood pressure? Yes, it can. High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels. Damaged blood vessels mean less blood flows into the penis to enable erections during sexual intercourse.
- It might cause sleeping difficulties – Since caffeine can keep you awake, drinking too much coffee or drinking coffee close to your bedtime can lead to sleeping difficulties. Can too much caffeine cause erectile dysfunction by causing sleeping difficulties? Yes, it can. Lack of sleep is associated with decreased testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that helps regulate libido or sex drive. When your testosterone level is low because of a lack of sleep, you might have a hard time achieving an erection during sexual intercourse. Poor sleep due to caffeine can also lead to irritability and anxiety. These can affect one’s sexual desire and performance. In addition, irritability due to lack of sleep can lead to relationship issues, which can trigger ED.
Is caffeine bad for erectile dysfunction?
Generally speaking, caffeine is good for erectile function. But it should be consumed in moderation. Can caffeine lead to erectile dysfunction? Yes, it can. Which is why you should watch your daily caffeine intake. The general consensus is that four cups of brewed coffee should be the daily limit. This amount of coffee allows you to reap the benefits of caffeine for your sexual well-being while avoiding the drawbacks.
How do you treat erectile dysfunction?
If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, whether because of excessive caffeine or other causes, do not worry. There are various ways of effectively treating ED. Common ED treatments include cognitive-behavioural therapy, oral medications, and counselling. You can also treat or manage erectile dysfunction through positive lifestyle changes. For example, if your ED is because of vascular damage caused by smoking, a therapist can help you quit smoking. Some medical professionals focus on treating the underlying cause of ED, such as hypertension or diabetes.
The most effective way of treating ED is through custom treatment. Custom erectile dysfunction treatment means receiving treatment that’s tailor-made for your ED. You see, ED differs from one man to another. One man’s ED might be because of obesity, while another man’s condition might be because of psychological factors such as stress or relationship issues. To ensure that ED is treated properly, a licensed medical professional should develop a custom treatment plan to address the root cause of the ED. Custom treatment can be a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and counselling. This is the most effective and efficient way of treating ED because it targets all root causes of ED to ensure that you are on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Start your custom treatment for erectile dysfunction
At Men’s Health Clinic (MHC), we offer custom treatments tailored specifically to your unique needs. Our team is dedicated to providing a solution that not only addresses the symptoms but also considers the underlying causes, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your health.
We specialise in compounded treatments for ED. Compounding involves preparing personalised formulations that provide the right dosages specifically for you. This means we can address specific symptoms and preferences, ensuring that your treatment is as effective and comfortable as possible (not to mention free from severe side effects). By using compounded treatments, we aim to enhance your overall experience and improve your confidence in managing ED.
To ensure the best possible outcomes, we’ve partnered with a variety of experts in the field. These include licensed doctors, nutritionists, dietitians, mental health experts, and sex and relationship counsellors. This collaboration allows us to deliver a holistic treatment plan, incorporating the latest advancements in ED treatments.
We believe that each man deserves personalised care to help restore their confidence and improve their quality of life. If you’re ready to take the first step towards a solution that works for you, we invite you to book a FREE appointment with our specialists today. Let our team at MHC help you regain control and enhance your well-being.
Final Words
Can caffeine affect erectile dysfunction? Yes, caffeine can affect erectile dysfunction. Consuming moderate amounts of coffee can help relieve stress, give you a boost of energy, and uplift your mood. However, consuming too much coffee can lead to erectile dysfunction. It might cause anxiety and sleeping difficulties. It might cause high blood pressure. This highlights the importance of moderation in everything that we do, including consuming coffee. Take advantage of the benefits of coffee to your sexual well-being by limiting your consumption to around four cups of brewed coffee every day. If you experience erectile dysfunction, do not panic. Get in touch with an MHC-affiliated doctor and ask how custom treatment can help manage ED and get your sex life back on track.
