Male Sexual Health

Sexual dysfunction in PD impacts more men than women. Do not hesitate to any address any sexual health changes with your doctor.

How does Parkinson’s play a part in erectile dysfunction in men?

Male impotence, otherwise known as erectile dysfunction (ED), refers to difficulty with achieving and maintaining an adequate erection. Erectile dysfunction warrants a thorough evaluation so the physician or other healthcare provider can look for all possible causes, especially diabetes (which can cause autonomic neuropathy) and other disorders.

Many men have benefited from the release and widespread use of ED treatments — from those that must be injected into the penis to oral preparations. While these medications are contraindicated in certain heart conditions, they are generally safe to use in combination with anti-Parkinson’s medicines and more effective in younger age groups.

As with other non-motor symptoms, the doctor or other healthcare provider should conduct a complete physical examination and consider other causes of impotence and decreased libido, including poor circulation to the genitals that commonly occurs in diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, enlarged prostate, depression and other medical conditions.