Everyone wants to look their best, but sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe you’ve been opting for sweets more often, or maybe you just haven’t had time to hit the gym. Whatever the case may be, these little bumps in the road have translated into an expanding waistline. Sure, it’s made you a little body conscious, but it’s nothing to panic over. That is, until you find yourself struggling in the bedroom. Suddenly, your little guy doesn’t want to stand at attention. Besides the recent weight, you live a healthy life and make good decisions. Could it be that your newfound weight is responsible for your erectile woes?

Odds are, if you’ve packed on some pounds and you’re struggling in bed, your weight gain is the culprit. Extensive research has found that as your body weight rises, so too does your chances of developing ED. If your weight should reach “obese” levels, experts say that you are now two and a half times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction than a man with normal weight.

But just how is your weight connected to your erection? It boils down to two aspects: cholesterol and testosterone. As your weight climbs, so too does your cholesterol. As your cholesterol rises, it begins to set up shop on the walls of your blood vessels. These cholesterol deposits will then impede blood flow, making it harder for the body to supply blood to your organs, including your penis. Additionally, weight gain is tied to a drop in testosterone. As your waist grows, your testosterone levels shrink, and testosterone is a vital hormone for regulating sexual function. With low testosterone, your body will struggle to get invested in sex and you’ll struggle to produce an erection.

The connection between weight gain and erectile issues is very real. Thankfully, it is an issue that can be overcome by making positive life choices. Lose the weight, eat health, and get active, and you should drop a pants size and regain your sex life at the same time.