Your hormones<\/a> take a hit when you have RED-S, so don\u2019t be alarmed if your physio asks about your morning erections when working towards a diagnosis. <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s not intrusive. It\u2019s a useful health signal,\u2019 according to running physiotherapist Sophie Vecchione<\/a>, who posted an Instagram reel on the topic. \u2018Changes here can reflect disrupted hormone function, often linked to high training load, poor recovery<\/a>, stress<\/a>, or under-fuelling,\u2019 she continues in the caption. \u2018In male endurance athletes, this can be part of REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport).\u2019<\/p>\n The reel features physiotherapist Luke Vanderfeen<\/a>, who emphasises the importance of having this conversation with your healthcare provider if RED-S is a risk. <\/p>\n \u2018Some people might find it a little bit awkward talking to their physios about erections. Some of you might find it even more awkward talking to a female physio about it,\u2019 Vecchione says in the video. \u2018So, I\u2019ve brought in my male colleague, Luke, to help explain why we might talk to you about your erections.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018One of the main reasons we\u2019re going to ask questions like this is we know that hormonal changes can be one of the first signs of RED-S,\u2019 Vanderfeen explains. \u2018And, in guys, we start to see that a change in morning stiffness can indicate that our body is starting to preserve energy.\u2019<\/p>\n How do you know what\u2019s normal and what\u2019s not? \u2018’Normal’ in research looks between 5-7 times per week,\u2019 Vanderfeen says. However, the biggest indicator that something\u2019s off is if there are changes to your personal pattern. <\/p>\n When there\u2019s a limited energy supply, the body deprioritises non-essential systems, resulting in a reduction in \u2013 or complete loss of \u2013 morning erections. A dip in testosterone<\/a> can cause libido to plummet too.<\/p>\n Additional symptoms of RED-S in men include: <\/p>\n \u2022 Recurring illness<\/p>\n
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