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Sexual Wellness

Can Iron Deficiency Cause ED?

Fact Checked

Could iron deficiency anemia be causing your erectile dysfunction? Read this special report to find out whether low iron is causing your poor sexual function.

Last Updated: 01/21/2025

Written by

Kimberly Wilkes

If your doctor diagnosed you with iron deficiency anemia, you’re likely wondering if that’s to blame for your poor erectile function. Or maybe you haven’t been tested for anemia yet but wonder if that condition could be the reason why you’ve developed erectile dysfunction and your sex life has taken a hit.

This blog post will answer the question, “Can iron deficiency anemia cause erectile dysfunction”? 

Just remember that you should only take iron supplements after your anemia diagnosis is confirmed through testing. 

What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

This type of anemia happens when you don’t get enough iron or you don’t absorb enough of it. This important mineral boosts your body’s production of hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that gives them their red color and helps the cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.   

Can Anemia Cause ED?

Anemia may not directly cause erectile dysfunction, but it can indirectly contribute to the condition. Anemia causes fatigue due to the drop in red blood cell count. The resulting tiredness makes it more difficult to achieve an erection. 

The Testosterone Connection

Deficiency of the male hormone testosterone not only is linked to erectile dysfunction and low libido, it’s also connected to other conditions such as anemia.(1)  Significantly lower testosterone levels are found in men who have anemia and other conditions like diabetes at the same time as ED.(2)

Men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy, where they are given a drug to lower their testosterone levels, often suffer from both sexual dysfunction and anemia.(3) 

On the other hand, raising sex hormones through testosterone replacement therapy improves anemia and bone density along with sexual desire and erectile function.(4)  

Symptoms of Anemia

If you have any of the following symptoms of anemia, talk to your doctor about getting a lab test to find out if anemia is the cause:(5)

  • Pale skin

  • Fatigue

  • Weakness

  • Shortness of breath

  • Chest pain during exercise

  • Fast heart rate

  • Headaches

  • Brittle nails

  • Losing hair

  • Cold hands and feet

  • Dizziness

  • Inflamed or sore tongue

  • Unusual cravings for things like ice or dirt

Are You At Risk For Anemia?

Many men get plenty of iron from diet alone. However, certain underlying causes for iron deficiency anemia may make you more likely to be iron deficient. These risk factors for low iron and anemia include:

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Major surgery

  • Celiac disease

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s)

  • Peptic ulcer disease

  • Gastric bypass operations

  • Eating a vegan or vegetarian diet

  • Gastritis, esophagitis, stomach or bowel ulcers, diverticulitis

  • Frequent blood donations

If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about whether you need to get tested for anemia. 

Diagnosing Anemia

To find out if you have iron deficiency anemia, your doctor will order a blood test to measure ferritin levels. Ferritin is a protein in your cells that stores iron. 

By measuring ferritin levels, the doctor can determine if your iron levels are too high or too low. 

How to Treat Iron Deficiency

If you have iron deficiency anemia, your doctor will likely recommend two strategies:

Taking Iron Supplements 

Often, a doctor will prescribe iron supplements that are stronger than over-the-counter versions. Iron supplements containing 150 to 200 mg are the usual recommendation, but talk to your doctor to find out the right dose for you.

Eating Iron-Rich Foods 

Your doctor may recommend you increase your intake of iron-rich foods. Sources of dietary iron include

  • Red meat

  • Chicken

  • Fish

  • Vegetables like kale, broccoli, and spinach

  • Lentils

  • Beans

  • Clams

  • Eggs 

Improving Iron Absorption

Foods containing vitamin C, A, and beta-carotene can improve iron absorption. Two different forms of iron are found in food: heme and non-heme iron. Your body is better able to absorb heme iron, which is the type found in animal foods. On the other hand, non-heme iron is found in plant sources. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron because it changes non-heme iron into a form that’s easier for your body to use. 

Vitamin-C-rich foods include citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, melon, and dark green leafy vegetables. Foods that contain vitamin A and beta-carotene include carrots, red peppers, kale, squash, spinach, sweet potatoes, apricots, oranges, and peaches. 

If the fatigue from anemia is contributing to your erectile dysfunction, treating the anemia may restore sexual function. 

Too Much Iron Can Decrease Sexual Function

It’s not just low iron that’s a problem. Taking too much iron can cause as many problems as being iron deficient. Iron levels that are too high can cause your body to churn out an excess number of damaging molecules known as free radicals. 

In men, excess iron is linked to impaired sexual function, low fertility, and dramatically low testosterone levels.(6) Excess iron can also cause liver disease, heart problems, and diabetes.(6) That’s why it’s best to talk to your doctor and get tested for iron deficiency anemia rather than presuming that’s the cause of your problem.

Too much iron can result from taking too high a dose of iron supplements or having a condition that causes excess iron absorption from food. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Iron Deficiency Anemia and Erectile Dysfunction

Can iron deficiency anemia cause ED?

Iron deficiency is associated with erectile dysfunction, but it’s more of an indirect connection. Anemia causes low energy levels due to a drop in red blood cell count, which in turn can make you tired and impact your sexual function.    

Does low iron affect testosterone?

Low testosterone levels are often found in men who have anemia and also suffer with ED. Men who are taking medications to lower their testosterone levels often have both sexual dysfunction and anemia. On the other hand, raising testosterone levels with testosterone replacement therapy improves anemia and bone density along with sexual desire and erectile function.  

Can too much iron cause erectile dysfunction?

Yes, if your iron levels are high due to taking iron supplements or if you have a condition that causes you to absorb a lot of iron from food, it can cause sexual dysfunction. 

High iron levels also cause testosterone levels to drop dramatically, which may be part of the reason why high iron is linked to erectile dysfunction. These and other negative effects of high iron are why it’s better to have your doctor test your iron levels and only start taking iron supplements if you really need them. 

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32377774/

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18313109/

3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23351025/

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31351915/

5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034

6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6902410/