Erectile Dysfunction in the Winter? Yes, it’s a Thing.

Photo Credit: by @CPOhealth

It’s true. Even though the cold weather may seem like an invitation to stay indoors and cuddle, there are actually scientific reasons why your libido heads south when the temperatures drop.

Why your sex life cools off in cold weather

If you find yourself uttering, “Not tonight,” just a few too many times in the winter, lack of sunlight, seasonal affective disorder, or a natural decline in your testosterone levels may be working against you in the bedroom.

Lack of sunlight

The shorter days of winter can be more than just a bummer. Reduced exposure to sunlight can affect your levels of serotonin, a feel-good hormone in your brain that affects your mood and sex drive. When your serotonin naturally dips with the temperatures, so does your desire to do, well, lots of things.

As if reduced serotonin levels weren’t challenge enough, you are also fighting the equal and opposite effects of melatonin, a hormone that is being produced in abundance during the dark days of winter and can bring your sex drive to a screeching halt.

Your vitamin D levels may also be bottoming out when you haven’t seen the light of day for months. Research indicates that there may be a tie to low levels of vitamin D and erectile dysfunction—or impotence. In a study of more than 3,400 men, a deficiency in the “sunshine vitamin” was found in 35% of the men who had erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, those with vitamin D deficiency were 32% more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than men without the deficiency.

Reduced testosterone

If you’re looking for someone to blame for your lack of desire in the winter, go ahead and pin it on our ancestors. Back when hibernation in the colder months was something of a necessity, and not just an excuse to binge watch Netflix, metabolism dropped, and sex drive fell along with it.

Professor Andrea Fagiolini, director of the Department of Mental Health and of the School of Specialization in Psychiatry at Siena in Italy explains, “In the Northern hemisphere, the body’s testosterone production naturally declines from November through April, and then rises steadily through the spring and summer with a peak in October.”

Seasonal Affective Disorder

More serious than a mild case of the winter blues is a psychological condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is a form of depression that begins in the fall and ends in the spring or early summer. The causes of SAD are thought to be linked to hormonal changes in the brain. SAD can zap energy, interfere with concentration, and cause folks to disengage with friends and family.

When a man experiences depression, it is likely that he just might not feel like having sex. But besides having a general lack of desire, he may also be experiencing the effects of a chemical imbalance in the brain, which may affect his ability to achieve erection.

Treat erectile dysfunction and get busy this winter

There is no reason to accept erectile dysfunction as your status quo, even if there’s good reason for it. A healthy sex life this winter is well within your reach. There are plenty of natural remedies, as well as safe and effective prescription drugs, that just might put an extra spring in your step.

Soak up some light therapy

When lack of sunlight is the problem causing your winter woes, find alternative sources of light, including light therapy. A study found that when men wake up to bright light, they may experience a boost of testosterone, giving them relief from symptoms of depression or sexual dysfunction.

Boost your vitamin D

Vitamin D, known as the “sunshine vitamin” because your body produces it naturally as a response to exposure to the sun, is shown to balance your mood and keep depression at bay.

If you are concerned that your vitamin D levels may be affecting your sex life, Dr. Erin Michos, a preventative cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins, said “Vitamin D deficiency is easy to screen for and simple to correct with lifestyle changes that include exercise, dietary changes, vitamin supplementation and modest sunlight exposure.”

Get some exercise

Whether you’re moving around outside in the natural sunlight or going to the gym for your regular sweat sessions, working out may give you the extra boost of energy you need in the winter, as well as a healthy dose of endorphins to make you feel good.

Find a doctor

For any health concerns, from your sexual health to your mental health, it is important to establish a relationship with a doctor you can trust. Says Steven Lamm, MD, the medial director of NYU Langone Medical Center’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health, “Men need to care about their health above the waistline as well as below.” He continues that you should be able to, “openly discuss all aspects of your health from your mental state to your sexual function to your overall wellness.”

Try prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction

While there are many natural treatments that may improve your erectile dysfunction symptoms in the winter, you may choose to try prescription drugs.

Jamp-Vardenafil is a popular new generic version of Levitra that just hit the shelves at Canada Pharmacy Online. There are other great options available, as well, including Cialis and Levitra. All three work similarly to treat ED, in that they make erections easier to achieve and sustain by easing your muscles and improving blood flow to your penis. Minor differences between Vardenafil/Levitra and Cialis include the time they take to work and how long the effects last.

And lucky for you, ordering prescription drugs for ED has never been more affordable, thanks to Canada Pharmacy Online. Ordering online is a cinch and your prescription will be shipped right to your door.

Winter is a time for cozying up indoors, celebrating holidays, and feeling festive. If the cold weather has taken away your lovin’ feelings, you should know that erectile dysfunction is a common occurrence in the winter. Treatment options are available that are sure to have you back in the saddle.

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