Pinched nerve disease can actually reduce sexual desire

The nerves in the spine regulate various body functions, including the reproductive system. If there is a pinched spinal cord, the function of the reproductive organs and sexual arousal will certainly be affected. So, does this influence also decrease sexual arousal and function?

Is it true that pinched nerves reduce sexual desire?

The nerves in the spine are divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx nerves. These nerves do not escape the risk of pinching, but this disease most commonly attacks the lumbar 5 (L5) and 1 (S1) lumbar nerves in the lower back.

All L5-S1 nerves control the function of the lower limbs, urinary system, and reproductive organs. The function of the muscles that play a role in these three systems can weaken, and even experience decreased reflexes if the L5-S1 nerve is pinched.

One of the effects that is often worried about from a pinched nerve is a decrease in sexual desire, aka libido. Many studies have discussed this, and pinched nerves have been shown to reduce sexual desire and cause impotence.

In research published in the journal Spine of men aged 50 years, as many as 34 percent of sufferers of pinched nerves experience impotence. Even though they had undergone spinal cord repair surgery, most of the respondents were in fact still experiencing the same condition.

The same thing was found from research in the Journal of Neurosurgery. A decrease in sexual desire occurs in 55 percent of men and 84 percent of women who suffer from pinched nerves. In addition, as many as 18 percent of men with pinched nerves also experienced impotence.

How does a pinched nerve decrease sexual desire?

Male sexual function depends on a series of processes consisting of stimulation of the sex organs, erection, orgasm, and ejaculation. This whole process is controlled by the nervous system and is influenced by the reproductive hormone, namely testosterone.

In order for the penis to experience an erection, the nerves in the brain, sacrum, thorax and lumbar must send signals to the penis. This signal relaxes the muscles corpora cavernosa inside the penis so that the penis becomes more hollow. Blood also flows to fill the cavity so that the penis enlarges and experiences an erection.

As sexual arousal increases, the more signals the nervous system sends to the penis. At some point, these signals will cause you to reach a peak of arousal and trigger a reflex response called ejaculation.

If the nerves that play an erection are pinched, sexual arousal and the ability to erect and ejaculate can also be affected. This occurs because the signal that should be sent to the penis is blocked or not responded to by the muscles of the penis.

Overcoming sexual problems due to pinched nerves

Dealing with sexual dysfunction due to pinched nerves is indeed difficult. However, that does not mean it is impossible.

Although not always effective, spinal cord surgery still has the potential to restore various body functions that are controlled by the L5-S1 nerves.

There are also other promising methods besides surgery, namely the consumption of sildenafil (a powerful drug) and hormone balancing therapy. However, make sure you consult your doctor before consuming products that can affect sexual function.

Whichever method you choose, the first thing to do is find out the cause. The decrease in sexual desire that you experience can be caused by a pinched nerve. However, there are other factors such as age, stress, and hormonal imbalances to consider.

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