What affects penis health?

Various factors can affect penis health — some modifiable and some not. For example:

• Unprotected sex. You can contract a sexually transmitted infection if you have unprotected sex.
• Heart disease and diabetes. Many conditions that lead to heart disease, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can also cause erectile dysfunction.
• Certain medications and treatments. Certain medications and treatments can affect your penis health. For example, surgical removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) and surrounding tissue as treatment for prostate cancer might cause urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
• Smoking. Along with other health risks, smoking also increases your chances of having erectile dysfunction.
• Hormone levels. Hormone imbalances, especially testosterone deficiency, have been linked to erectile dysfunction. Obesity can also result in lower testosterone levels.
• Psychological problems. If you experience an erection problem, you might be concerned that it'll happen again — causing anxiety or depression. This can lead to further problems with erections.
• Neurological conditions. Stroke, spinal cord and back injuries, multiple sclerosis, and dementia can affect the transfer of nerve impulses from the brain to the penis, causing erectile dysfunction.
• Getting older. Erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunctions become more common as you age. Testosterone levels also decline normally over time.
• Piercings. A penis piercing can cause a skin infection and also disrupt urinary flow. Depending where the piercing is placed, it might also worsen your ability to achieve an erection or orgasm.
• Aggressive or acrobatic sex or masturbation. If your penis is bent suddenly or forcefully while erect, rarely the trauma can cause a penis fracture. It might also lead to permanent curvature, even if the penis doesn't fracture.