Penis Problems and Iron: When Hemochromatosis is Involved

Iron is one of the most important nutrients a person needs, which is why many vitamin supplements and foods (such as cereal) are typically fortified with iron. Yet in some cases, too much iron can cause issues, including the occasional penis problems. Iron overload is fairly uncommon, but by no means unheard-of, so men who are interested in their penis health - and in overall general health as well - should be aware of hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body gets too much iron.

Hemochromatosis
 
The word ‘hemochromatosis’ refers to any situation in which the body is keeping more iron than it needs. There several ways in which this iron overload can occur; for example, individuals born with the blood disorder thalassemia often suffer from iron overload, as do some sickle cell patients and some individuals with myelodysplasia syndromes.

But one of the more common causes of iron overload is hereditary hemochromatosis. This genetic condition is most often found in Caucasian people, especially those of northern European descent. Although it is found in both sexes, it is more often found among men than among women. An estimated one in 200-250 people has hereditary hemochromatosis, of which about half of the men and a quarter of the women have a form that is clinically significant. (That means that half of the men and a quarter of the women experience some sort of symptoms and need some medical attention.)

Most often, people with this disorder feel fatigued, achy and nauseous. They may experience liver issues or diabetes. This is due to iron in the blood settling into organs and causing damage.

The most common way to treat hereditary hemochromatosis is by phlebotomy - that is, by taking blood from the patient. A doctor will determine how often a patient needs to rid himself of some blood in order to keep his iron at a proper level.

Sexual dysfunction
 
Studies indicate that sexual dysfunction is also a common issue related to hemochromatosis. It’s estimated that between 10% and 40% of men with iron overload also have penis problems, most often related to libido and erectile function.

Why does this occur? Typically it is because some of the excess iron circulating through the body may settle in the testicles, which can cause damage to the body’s ability to produce sufficient amounts of testosterone. When testosterone levels drop, a man tends to have a lower sex drive. He also tends to have more difficulty in obtaining or maintaining an erection. This latter issue is compounded if the excess iron is also deposited in the heart. When the heart is unable to operate at peak function, it impacts the ability of blood to flow freely and quickly into the penis, which is crucial for proper erectile functioning.

Sometimes a person may have penis problems of this sort due to hemochromatosis without knowing he has it. If a man sees a doctor for sexual performance issues, he may want to ask if hemochromatosis is a possible cause, especially if he is a Caucasian of northern European descent.

Treating the hemochromatosis is essential not just for tending to these penis problems but for ensuring overall health as well. It also pays to utilize a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . The better crème will include vitamin C and L-arginine, both of which improve health in a way that can alleviate penis problems. Vitamin C is crucial for collagen production, which impacts penile tissue firmness. L-arginine, meanwhile, helps to create nitric oxide, which in turn helps keep penile blood vessels more open and receptive to increased blood flow.

Erectile Dysfunction Can Be a Result of Hemochromatosis

Iron deficiency is a fairly common problem, but in some people - such as those with the hereditary disorder hemochromatosis - iron overload can become an issue. Numerous health complications are associated with hemochromatosis, including one - erectile dysfunction - that has a distinct bearing on a man’s penis health. Knowing more about this disorder can help a man know what to do if he is experiencing erectile dysfunction related to this iron overload situation.

What is hemochromatosis?
 
Often called hereditary hemochromatosis, this is a genetic disorder, meaning a person is born with alterations in his genes that will ultimately cause iron overload. It is therefore not a condition one "catches" from another person; however, iron overloading usually does not become a problem for a man with hereditary hemochromatosis until he is in his 40s or 50s. He may therefore feel as if this is something that he contracted from another source, but the fact is that it is something that has been in his body since his birth.

A man develops iron overload in these situations because his body can’t regulate the amount of iron he absorbs from food. Too much iron is absorbed and not enough is released through urine or feces.
When the iron can’t be released from the body, it can settle into the heart, liver, pancreas, testicles and other parts of the body, causing damage over time. About 5 out of every1,000 Caucasians have the genetic mutations that can result in symptomatic hemochromatosis, although not everyone who has the disorder will experience symptoms.

Those symptoms may include joint pain, fatigue, weight loss, stomach pain, and loss of sex drive. Common complications related to iron overload are diabetes, cirrhosis, arthritis, heart issues and erectile dysfunction.

Who does it affect?
 
Although anyone can be born with the genes that cause hereditary hemochromatosis, it is primarily associated with Caucasians whose heritage can be traced back to northern Europe.

As mentioned, both a diminished sex drive and erectile dysfunction may be associated with hemochromatosis. Why should this be? Again, this is related to the excess iron circulating through the blood and over time being deposited in the testicles. The iron causes damage to the organ and interferes with its ability to fulfill its functions properly, such as the production and release of testosterone levels. When the testosterone levels drop, a man’s sex drive decreases.

Testosterone levels also play a role in proper erectile functioning, but this is equally impacted by the cardiac issues that may arise due to hemochromatosis. These result in both a weaker flow of blood throughout the body and a weakening of the arteries and vessels, including those in the penis. When blood cannot vigorously flow into the penis, it results in weaker erections - or sometimes in no erection at all.

Treatment
 
In most cases, doctors treat diagnosed hereditary hemochromatosis through phlebotomy, which is another word for blood-letting. After the diagnosis is confirmed, a person will have a pint or so of blood drained on a regular basis - sometimes weekly, sometimes more or less. This continues until the iron level in the body is back in an acceptable range. After that, they will be phlebotomized much less often - perhaps every few months or so, just to maintain the proper iron level.


With treatment, erectile dysfunction due to hemochromatosis is generally reversible. It helps, though, to take steps to keep up the overall health of the manhood through daily use of a top drawer penis health crème ( health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Crèmes that contain vitamin C are especially advisable, as this vitamin is crucial for collagen production and penile tissue firmness. It’s also beneficial if L-arginine is among the ingredients in the crème. This amino acid helps keep blood vessels dilated, allowing for an easier flow of blood to the penis.