Why Cold Weather Can Make ED Worse (And How to Combat It)

If you've noticed your sexual performance isn’t quite the same once the temperature drops, it may not be a coincidence. Winter puts extra strain on your body in ways that can make erectile dysfunction (ED) more noticeable. Here’s what you can do to try and reduce its effects.

Article Summary:

• Studies show that both search interest and clinical diagnoses of erectile dysfunction rise every winter, pointing to a potential seasonal pattern.
• Cold weather can cause blood vessels to narrow, which could reduce blood flow and make erections harder to achieve.
• Simple steps, like staying warm, keeping active, checking your vitamin D levels, and looking after your heart health, can help protect your sexual and overall health through winter.

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition where you regularly find it difficult to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex. It's one of the most common health concerns among Canadian men. The Canadian Study of Erectile Dysfunction found that almost half of men over 40 who were visiting their family doctor experience some degree of ED, and the risk rises with age [1].

It’s important to note that ED can have a physical cause, a psychological cause, or both. Physical causes are usually linked to blood flow, nerves, or hormones.

Whatever the cause, ED is common, treatable, and nothing to feel embarrassed about. If you want a fuller picture of what's behind ED beyond winter weather, we've covered what causes erectile dysfunction in more detail.

Does cold weather really make ED worse? What the evidence shows

Researchers studied Google Trends search data from the United States over a ten-year period, from 2009 to 2019. They found a clear seasonal trend: search interest in erectile dysfunction was consistently higher in winter than in summer, with about a 6% increase during the colder months [2].

The same study found that searches for coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes, two conditions closely linked to ED, also rose in winter [2]. Searches for kidney stones, which are known to increase in summer heat, moved in the opposite direction, which supports the idea that this isn't just random noise in the data [2].

A separate ten-year study backs this up with real diagnoses rather than search activity. Researchers reviewing erectile dysfunction cases at a university hospital found that diagnoses were consistently more common in winter than in other seasons [3]. Having both search data and clinical diagnosis data point the same way makes the seasonal pattern harder to dismiss as coincidence.

Researchers call this seasonal phenomenon a useful signal rather than definitive proof of cause and effect. Search data alone can't confirm that more people actually develop ED in winter, only that more people are asking about it [2].

Cold weather, blood circulation and vasoconstriction

An erection depends on healthy blood flow. When you're aroused, blood vessels in the penis widen and fill with blood. If anything interferes with that blood flow, an erection becomes harder to achieve.

Cold weather triggers a process called vasoconstriction. This is when your blood vessels narrow to help your body hold onto heat [4]. It's a normal, protective response. Your body redirects blood away from your skin and toward your core organs to keep your temperature stable. But, narrower blood vessels also mean your heart has to work harder, and blood flow to areas like the skin and extremities drops [4]. This same mechanism can affect blood flow more broadly, which may make erections harder to achieve or maintain during cold weather.

This is part of why phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) are the first choice of treatment for ED. Medicines like sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil work by helping the blood vessels in the penis relax, so more blood can flow in [5]. Good circulation is central to how these medicines work, and it's central to why cold weather can make symptoms feel worse. If you're trying to decide between options, our guide to Cialis vs Viagra breaks down how they compare.

Erectile dysfunction and your heart: Why winter puts extra strain on both

ED and cardiovascular disease share many of the same risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking. Because of this shared foundation, ED can sometimes appear before other signs of heart disease, which is why it's worth taking seriously rather than ignoring [5].

Cold weather adds pressure to your cardiovascular system. Vasoconstriction raises your blood pressure and makes your heart pump harder to move blood through narrower vessels [4]. For most healthy people, this isn't dangerous, but it does add measurable strain, and it helps explain why cardiovascular disease and ED tend to rise together in the winter months [2].

If you already manage a heart condition, high blood pressure, or diabetes, winter is a good time to keep a closer eye on your overall health, since both your heart and your sexual health rely on the same blood vessels.

Vitamin D during winter

Vitamin D mostly comes from sunlight, and Canadian winters don't provide much of it. In fact, data from Statistics Canada shows that the number of Canadians with low vitamin D levels more than doubles in winter compared with the rest of the year [6].

Some research has looked at whether low vitamin D is linked to ED. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that men with vitamin D deficiency had worse erectile function scores than men with normal levels, particularly in more severe cases of ED [7]. It's worth noting that this shows an association, not proof that low vitamin D directly causes ED. The studies included were mostly observational, meaning they show a pattern rather than a clear cause-and-effect relationship [7].

Even so, given how common low vitamin D is in winter, it's a reasonable factor to ask your doctor or pharmacist about for your general health, especially if you're already managing other ED risk factors.

Testosterone and seasonal hormone shifts

Vitamin D isn't the only hormone-related factor that moves with the seasons. A study that tracked hormone levels in almost 8,000 men found that bioavailable testosterone tends to peak in late summer and early fall, then gradually falls to its lowest point in March [8].

Testosterone plays an important role in sex drive and erectile function. This seasonal dip doesn't fully explain winter ED on its own, but it may add to the effects of lower vitamin D and reduced blood flow from vasoconstriction, particularly by the end of a long Canadian winter.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and your sex drive

Winter doesn't just affect your body. It can affect your mood too. Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as SAD, is a recognized type of depression that follows the seasons, usually appearing in fall and winter as the days get shorter [9]. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, symptoms of SAD include low energy, sleep changes, difficulty concentrating, and a general drop in mood [9].

Low mood and low energy commonly reduce interest in sex, which can add another layer to winter ED. If you notice ongoing sadness, fatigue, or a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy, it's worth talking to a healthcare professional.

Winter lifestyle habits that can add to the problem

Along with cold weather itself, winter often brings lifestyle changes that affect erectile function. Researchers point to a few common patterns during the colder months that can make ED more likely or more noticeable [2]:

• Eating more calorie-dense “comfort” food
• Being less physically active. One study found that less active men had roughly 40 to 60% higher odds of ED compared with men who stayed active [10]
• Drinking more alcohol, particularly around the holidays

None of these habits cause ED on their own, but together they add up, especially on top of the physical effects of cold weather. The good news is that these are also the areas where small changes tend to make a real difference.

How to combat winter ED: Practical steps

You don't need to overhaul your life to protect your sexual health this winter. A few consistent habits go a long way.

• Dress for the cold. Keeping your whole body warm, not just your hands and face, reduces the vasoconstriction response and supports better circulation.
• Stay active. The Canadian Urological Association's guideline on ED recommends regular physical activity as a way to support erectile function, alongside any other treatment you may be using [5]. Even short daily walks help.
• Watch your alcohol intake. Cutting back, especially around the holidays, supports both circulation and overall sexual function.
• Ask about vitamin D. Given how common low vitamin D is in winter, it's worth a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist about whether a supplement makes sense for you.
• Look after your mental health. If you notice signs of SAD, such as low mood or low energy that follow the season, reach out to a healthcare professional. Treating the underlying mood change could also help your sex drive recover.
• Get your heart health checked. Since ED and cardiovascular disease share the same risk factors, a general checkup covering blood pressure and cholesterol is a sensible step, particularly in winter.

When to get help

ED is common, and effective treatment is available. PDE5 inhibitors remain the most effective first-line option for most people, working by supporting the same blood flow that cold weather can restrict [5]. If ED is affecting your confidence or your relationships, or if it's been going on for a while, it's worth speaking to a doctor, pharmacist, or a regulated online clinic. They can help you find out what's behind it and work out the right next step for you.

Opening up about ED can feel daunting, especially with a partner. If that's part of what's holding you back from getting help, our guide on how to talk to your partner about ED can make that conversation easier.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you with MedExpress.

References

1. Bella AJ, Lee JC, Carrier S, Bienenfeld J, Krakowsky Y, Elterman D, et al. 2015 CUA Practice guidelines for erectile dysfunction. Can Urol Assoc J. 2015;9(1-2):23-9. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4336024
2. Garijo BM, Katz JE, Greer A, Gonzalgo M, García López A, Deane L, et al. Increase in searches for erectile dysfunction during winter: seasonal variation evidence from Google Trends in the United States. Int J Impot Res. 2022;34:172-6. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-020-00397-1
3. Gul M, Batur AF, Böcü K, et al. Seasonal fluctuation of erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary university hospital across 10 years. Andrologia. 2021;53(5):e14019. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.14019
4. Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal (Montreal Heart Institute), Prevention Observatory. Effects of cold on cardiovascular health [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2026 Sep 9]. Available from: https://observatoireprevention.org/en/2021/02/16/effects-of-cold-on-cardiovascular-health/
5. Domes T, Najafabadi BT, Roberts M, Campbell J, Flannigan R, Bach P, et al. Canadian Urological Association guideline: erectile dysfunction. Can Urol Assoc J. 2021;15(10):310-22. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8525522
6. Statistics Canada. Shedding light on Canada's vitamin D levels as we approach the shortest day of the year [Internet]. Ottawa: Statistics Canada; [cited 2026 Sep 9]. Available from: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/5095-shedding-light-canadas-vitamin-d-levels-we-approach-shortest-day-year
7. Crafa A, Cannarella R, Condorelli RA, La Vignera S, Calogero AE. Is there an association between vitamin D deficiency and erectile dysfunction? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2020;12(5):1411. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7284343/
8. Zornitzki T, Tshori S, Shefer G, et al. Seasonal variation of testosterone levels in a large cohort of men. Int J Endocrinol. 2022;2022:6093092. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9242810/
9. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) [Internet]. Toronto: CAMH; [cited 2026 Sep 9]. Available from: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/seasonal-affective-disorder
10. Janiszewski PM, Janssen I, Ross R. Abdominal obesity and physical inactivity are associated with erectile dysfunction independent of body mass index. J Sex Med. 2009;6(7):1990-8. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19453892/