What are the most common erectile dysfunction causes?
According to the book Beyond Stem Cells, the number one physical cause among erectile dysfunction causes is blood flow. Healthy arteries bring blood in, and veins have to close so it does not drain out too fast.
Key points
- Sexual health is regular health. The book says sexual dysfunction is common with age but under-talked-about and under-treated, for men and women.
- Erectile dysfunction causes: the book says the number one physical cause is blood flow.
- An erection depends on special tissue filling with blood and holding it. Arteries bring blood in; veins have to squeeze shut. When they do not, the book calls it venous leakage.
- Plaque that narrows arteries can narrow these ones too, so the book says erection problems are often an early warning sign of heart disease.
- Nerve signals from the brain release nitric oxide, which relaxes arteries so more blood flows in. Diabetes, some surgeries and nerve conditions can interrupt that signal.
- Low testosterone, thyroid problems, long-term stress and some medications can also affect sexual function.
- What is the latest treatment for erectile dysfunction in the book? It focuses on low-intensity shockwave therapy, which researchers are studying for blood flow support.
- Causes of vaginal dryness in the book include aging, childbirth and menopause. Estrogen helps keep tissue healthy, stretchy and moist.
- The book talks about the O-Shot, which uses growth factors and exosomes. It goes alongside your regular doctor's care, not instead of it.
Sexual Health and Blood Flow
Read the full transcript · Download the MP3 · Voices are AI-generated from a script based on the book.
Erectile dysfunction causes: why blood flow comes first
The book treats sexual health as part of overall health, not just an aging thing. It can affect confidence, mood and relationships, and it is worth a real conversation with your provider.
Blood flow in and blood flow out
An erection is basically a plumbing process. Special tissue has to fill with blood and hold it there. Healthy arteries bring the blood in, and veins have to squeeze shut so it does not drain out too fast. When the veins do not close well, the book calls it venous leakage. The book says ultrasound can help sort out whether the issue is the inflow, the outflow or both.
An early warning sign for the heart
Plaque buildup narrows arteries throughout the body, including these. That is why the book says erection problems often show up as an early warning sign of heart disease, and why it is worth bringing up with your own provider. The book adds that the tiniest blood vessels can start getting damaged years before anyone notices.
Lifestyle and blood flow
According to the book, smoking, poor nutrition and not moving enough make these problems worse by further restricting blood flow.
Nerves, hormones and stress
Blood flow is only part of the picture. The book walks through the other systems involved.
The nerve signal
Signals start in the brain and travel to the tissue, where they release a messenger called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the arteries so more blood can flow in. Diabetes, some surgeries and nerve conditions can disrupt that signal.
Hormones
Low testosterone can lower desire and affect the body's response. The book says thyroid problems, both underactive and overactive, can also play a role.
Stress is physical too
Long-term stress keeps the body in fight-or-flight mode, and that works against sexual response. The book says this is why stress reduction can help even without addressing physical causes directly. It also notes that some medications can have this as a side effect, so never stop a medication on your own.
What is the latest treatment for erectile dysfunction in the book?
The newest approach the book covers for erectile dysfunction is low-intensity shockwave therapy. It uses gentle sound pressure waves from a device outside the body. The tissue responds by releasing growth factors, and researchers are studying whether that may help grow new small blood vessels and support blood flow. Any change builds gradually over weeks and months.
Gentle sound pressure waves
Despite the name, shockwave therapy uses gentle sound pressure waves from a device outside the body. They create a tiny amount of stress in the tissue, and the body answers by releasing growth factors. The book says that may help grow new small blood vessels and improve blood flow.
How it differs from a pill
The book says pills can help in the moment, but they do not change the tissue underneath. The regenerative idea is to support the tissue itself. Any change builds gradually over weeks and months.
Women's sexual health: causes of vaginal dryness and the O-Shot
For women, the book points to the same three pieces as for men: blood flow, hormones and nerves. Causes of vaginal dryness include aging, childbirth and menopause. The book says estrogen helps keep tissue healthy, stretchy and moist, so hormone changes play a big part. Symptoms can include dryness, less sensation and pain during intimacy.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness and other changes
Aging, childbirth and menopause can lead to dryness, less sensation or pain during intimacy. The book says estrogen helps keep the tissue healthy, stretchy and moist, so hormone changes play a big part.
The O-Shot
The book talks about an in-office injection it calls the O-Shot, which uses growth factors and exosomes. Exosomes are tiny messages cells send to each other, and the idea is they may help with blood flow, collagen and tissue health. A numbing cream is applied first, and the book says most people describe a little pressure or a mild pinch.
Who should wait
The book says an active infection has to be treated first, and blood thinners need a careful look. It is not for anyone with active cancer in that area, or anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
This goes alongside your regular doctor's care, not instead of it. Exercise for blood flow, eating well, sleep and managing stress all matter too.
Chapter 13 in one line
Sexual health is a health issue, not just an aging thing, and it is worth a real conversation.
Episode 13 transcript.
Read along, or skim the parts you care about most.
EliseOkay so, chapter thirteen. And this one's about... sexual health.
GuideYep. Sexual dysfunction, for men and women.
EliseWhich, I feel like, nobody really talks about.
GuideAnd the book says exactly that. It's common as people get older, but it's under-talked-about and under-treated.
EliseMm-hm.
GuideAnd it's not just physical. It can hit confidence, mood, relationships.
EliseOkay, so let's start with men. Why do erection problems happen?
GuideSo the book says the number one physical cause is blood flow.
EliseBlood flow. Not, like, hormones?
GuideHormones matter too, we'll get there. But an erection is basically a plumbing thing. Special tissue has to fill up with blood and hold it there.
EliseOkay.
GuideSo you need healthy arteries to bring the blood in, and the veins have to squeeze shut so it doesn't drain out too fast.
EliseLike filling a water balloon and pinching the end.
GuideHonestly, yeah. That's a good way to put it. And if the pinch doesn't hold, the book calls that venous leakage.
EliseHuh. So it can be the in or the out.
GuideRight. Or both. And the book says ultrasound can help sort out which one it is.
EliseOkay, and here's the part I didn't know. The book says this can be an early warning sign?
GuideYeah. Plaque buildup narrows arteries, and these ones too. So the book says erection problems often show up as an early warning sign of heart disease.
EliseWow. So that's worth mentioning to your doctor.
GuideDefinitely worth bringing up. And the book says the tiniest blood vessels can start getting damaged years before anybody notices.
EliseOkay, so what about hormones and nerves?
GuideSo signals start in the brain and travel down to the tissue. They release a messenger called nitric oxide that relaxes the arteries so more blood can flow in.
EliseSo the brain sends the text message, basically.
GuideRight. And things like diabetes, some surgeries, or nerve conditions can mess up that signal.
EliseAnd hormones?
GuideLow testosterone can lower desire and affect the response. Thyroid can play a role. And stress. Long-term stress puts your body in fight-or-flight mode, and that actually works against it.
EliseOh, interesting. So stress is a real physical thing here.
GuideTotally real. And the book mentions some medications can have this as a side effect too.
EliseOkay, so what's the regenerative option for men?
GuideThe book focuses on low-intensity shockwave therapy.
EliseShockwave? That sounds intense.
GuideEverybody says that. It's gentle sound pressure waves, from a device outside the body.
EliseOkay, phew.
GuideThey create a tiny bit of stress in the tissue, and the body answers by releasing growth factors. The book says that may help grow new little blood vessels and improve blood flow.
EliseSo it's kind of waking up the repair crew.
GuideExactly. And it's not instant. The book says it builds over weeks and months.
EliseHow's that different from a pill, though?
GuideSo the book says pills can help in the moment, but they don't change the tissue underneath. The regenerative idea is to support the tissue itself.
EliseAnd is there downtime?
GuideThe book says no. People go right back to their day.
EliseOkay, and for women?
GuideSo for women it's similar pieces. Blood flow, hormones, nerves. And things like aging, childbirth, and menopause can lead to dryness, less sensation, or pain during intimacy.
EliseAnd estrogen's a big part of that?
GuideYeah. The book says estrogen helps keep the tissue healthy, stretchy, and moist.
EliseSo what's the regenerative option there?
GuideThe book talks about an injection it calls the O-Shot. It uses growth factors and exosomes injected into the tissue.
EliseExosomes?
GuideLittle messages cells send to each other. The idea is they may help with blood flow, collagen, and tissue health. It's done in the office with a numbing cream first.
EliseDoes it hurt?
GuideThe book says most people describe a little pressure or a mild pinch. That's about it.
EliseOkay, good. Is it for everyone?
GuideNo. The book says an active infection has to be treated first. Blood thinners need a careful look. And it's not for anyone with active cancer in that area, or who's pregnant or breastfeeding.
EliseGood that it spells that out.
GuideAnd one more thing. This goes alongside your regular doctor's care, not instead of it. Don't stop any medication on your own.
EliseGot it. Anything people can do themselves?
GuideThe book says lifestyle really matters. Exercise for blood flow, eating well, sleep, managing stress.
EliseSo, the basics.
GuideAlways the basics.
EliseOkay. So sum up chapter thirteen?
GuideIt's a health issue, not just an aging thing. And it's worth a real conversation.
EliseI like that. And, quick reminder, this is general info, not medical advice. Talk to your own provider.
GuideAlways.
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your own provider.
Frequently asked questions.
What are the most common erectile dysfunction causes?
According to the book, the number one physical cause is blood flow. Nerve problems, low testosterone, thyroid problems, long-term stress, some medications and conditions like diabetes can also contribute.
Can erectile dysfunction be a sign of heart disease?
The book says yes, it often shows up as an early warning sign. Plaque that narrows arteries elsewhere can narrow these arteries too, so it is worth mentioning to your own provider.
How does blood flow affect sexual health?
For men, tissue has to fill with blood and hold it, which takes healthy arteries and veins that close well. For women, blood flow also supports sensation and tissue health. Exercise, eating well and sleep support healthy blood flow.
What is the latest treatment for erectile dysfunction?
The newest approach the book covers for erectile dysfunction is low-intensity shockwave therapy. It uses gentle sound pressure waves from a device outside the body. The tissue responds by releasing growth factors, and researchers are studying whether that may help grow new small blood vessels and support blood flow. Any change builds gradually over weeks and months.
What is low-intensity shockwave therapy?
It uses gentle sound pressure waves from a device outside the body. The book says the tissue responds by releasing growth factors, which may help grow new small blood vessels. Changes build over weeks and months.
What are the causes of vaginal dryness?
The book names aging, childbirth and menopause. Estrogen helps keep tissue healthy, stretchy and moist, so when hormone levels change, dryness, less sensation or discomfort during intimacy can follow.
Where is Beyond Stem Cells located?
Beyond Stem Cells is at 5912 S Cody St, Suite 201, Littleton, CO 80123, serving the Denver metro. This podcast is general education, not medical advice.
Want to see how this connects to care in the Denver metro? Learn about shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction, the O-Shot, exosomes, regenerative medicine at Beyond Stem Cells, sexual wellness, the P-Shot.
Further reading: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: symptoms and causes of erectile dysfunction.
Want the whole book? Get the free Beyond Stem Cells book.
Regenerative care in Littleton and the Denver metro.
Beyond Stem Cells sits just off S Cody St in Littleton, an easy drive from Ken Caryl, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Englewood and Lakewood.
Questions about your own situation?
The podcast is general education. If you want to talk about your own health, request a consultation with our team.
Beyond Stem Cells · 5912 S Cody St, Suite 201, Littleton, CO 80123 · (833) 720-7836 · info@beyondstemcells.com
Medical disclaimer: This page is general education based on the book Beyond Stem Cells by John Comandari and Neville Campbell, MD. It is not medical advice. Individual results vary and no specific outcome is promised. Talk to your own provider about your situation.