Erectile dysfunction is most times referred to as impotence, and it is a condition where a man has issues with getting or sustaining an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Some of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction included low sex drive, difficulty achieving an erection, and softer erections. A man is diagnosed with erectile dysfunction if he has issues with erections that are consistent and last for months.
All men would have occasional problems with erectile function at some point, which is why ED cannot be diagnosed based on erection problems that occur from time to time.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
These are some of the causes of erectile dysfunction:
Being overweight
A man that is overweight is more susceptible to experiencing erectile dysfunction than a man who has the right body weight. High blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease have also been linked to erectile dysfunction and obesity.
These conditions have been found to increase health risks and impact sexual performance.
Peyronie’s disease and surgery
Peyronie’s disease is a health condition that involves the irregular curvature of a man’s erect penis. This can lead to erectile dysfunction as there would be a buildup of fibrous scar tissue beneath the skin of the penis.
Some other symptoms that accompany this condition include pain during an erection and sex.
Also, erectile dysfunction can be caused by injuries and surgery in the pelvic or lower spinal area. Treatment for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate is also linked to erectile dysfunction.
Ways to Reverse Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is mostly experienced by men at midlife. And for most, it is possible to reverse erectile dysfunction and boost erectile function. These are the ways you can improve your erectile function;
Improve heart health
If your heart is not in optimal shape, it can impact your body’s ability to pump the blood necessary for an erection. A study that was taken carefully studied some male participants for about 25 years.
The study showed that heart disease risk factors were able to point out which men are more susceptible to experiencing erectile dysfunction. A lot of research has linked four main heart risk factors to erectile dysfunction.
These are the risk factors you should avoid if you are looking to boost your erectile function and reverse ED;
Alcohol
Studies have shown that heavy intake of alcohol is detrimental to your health and could lead to erectile dysfunction.
Smoking
Not smoking helps prevent ED. Also, if you and a smoker and you opt to quit smoking, you would notice improvements in erectile function.
Weight
A study showed that in obese men with ED, following an exercise and diet plan to lose weight was very effective in dealing with erectile dysfunction.
Exercise
Staying fit and complementing it with a healthy diet can aid in enhancing erectile function.
Boost testosterone levels
Having low testosterone levels is detrimental to a man’s health. In addition to symptoms like hair loss, low sex drive, increased body fat, and fatigue, low testosterone also contributes to erectile dysfunction.
This is why taking appropriate measures to boost testosterone levels have been found to be very useful when dealing with erectile dysfunction. You can increase your testosterone levels by exercising regularly, reducing stress, losing weight, or taking natural testosterone-boosting supplements.
In addition to boosting testosterone levels, these steps would also improve your heart health, which would help enhance erectile function.
Lifestyle and psychological factors
Research has shown that making improvements to your way of life can help boost your erectile function. A study taken with about 80 men showed that about 33% reported problems with erectile functions.
After five years of living a healthier life, it was noticed that the problems improved in about 29% of the men, which means that controlling your lifestyle is vital in reversing erectile dysfunction.
Certain psychological factors, like performance anxiety, relationship problems, and depression, could contribute to erectile dysfunction. So, ensure that you address the psychological roots of your erectile problems as this could help reverse it.
Resolve mental health issues
Depression, stress, and anxiety have all been linked to erectile dysfunction. In a study, men diagnosed with ED were grouped into two. Some took tadalafil only, while the rest took tadalafil and also followed an eight-week stress management plan.
In the end, the men who followed the stress management plan experienced a more significant improvement in erectile function than those that took tadalafil only. You can also practice mindfulness meditation, yoga, and exercises to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
You can also visit your therapist to aid in depression and anxiety management. Some medications have been proven to be effective when dealing with stress and anxiety. When you address all your mental health issues, your erectile function will inevitably improve.
Get enough sleep
It is without a doubt that not getting enough hours of rest can lead to some health complications. Research has shown that not getting enough sleep can negatively affect your sexual performance and lead to erectile dysfunction.
A study showed that men who had sleep apnea (a condition that interrupts breathing at night), noticed improvements in their erectile function after using a CPAP breathing machine when sleeping.
Change your bike seat
If you are a cycler, then you should be mindful of the kind of bicycle seat you use. Studies have linked long-distance cycling to erectile dysfunction. This is because bicycle seats exert a lot of pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvic region.
So if you are a cyclist that rides for long distances, you should consider getting a seat that is specially designed to exert minimal pressure on your perineum.
Have an active sex life
Research has shown that by having an active sex life, you can improve your overall sexual performance, which includes erectile function.
Studies have found out that men who had sex less than once a week are more susceptible to experiencing erectile dysfunction than men who had sex at least once a week.
Natural treatments
The typical treatment for erectile dysfunction includes prescription medications, implants, surgery, and vacuum pumps. But, a lot of men decide to go for natural options, and there is a lot of research that backs up these natural options.
These are the natural treatments that can help with erectile dysfunction;
Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng, which is also called Viagra, has a lot of research backing its effectiveness in dealing with erectile dysfunction. A lot of research has been made to see the relationship between Panax ginseng and ED.
The dosages used were about 600 to 1000 mg three times a day. The conclusion was that Panax ginseng was very effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Ginsenosides, which are elements found in Panax ginseng extract, have been found to act on a cellular level to improve erection function. Panax ginseng works best for men who have high lipids in their blood and metabolic syndrome.
It is also packed with anti-inflammatory properties and can help to improve lung function and blood flow. All these would contribute to reducing erectile dysfunction.
DHEA
DHEA is a natural hormone that is produced in the adrenal glands. Your body can convert DHEA to either testosterone or estrogen. It is made from soy and wild yam. A study showed that men who have ED tend to have lower levels of DHEA.
Another study was taken with men who had ED, with half of them taking 50 mg of DHEA per day for six months while the others were given a placebo. After the study, it was seen that those who were given the DHEA found it easier to achieve and keep an erection.
Recent research has also linked DHEA with the treatment of ED in men that have diabetes. Erectile dysfunction can affect men because of this hormonal imbalance.
L-arginine
This is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body, and it helps in the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is necessary for achieving an erection, and this is because it helps to relax blood vessels. It is also vital for optimal sexual function.
Research has been done on the effects of L-arginine on erectile dysfunction. And it showed that men with ED who took 5g of L-arginine daily noticed vast improvements in their erectile function.
A study showed that when L-arginine is combined with pycnogenol, it can restore full sexual functionality in men who have ED.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a potent herb that is grown in Europe and Asia. The roots are known to be adaptogens, which is why it helps in dealing with stress.
In a study taken, men were given 150 to 200 mg of Rhodiola Rosea daily for three months. After this, they noticed significant improvements in their erectile function. Rhodiola Rosea has also been linked with improving energy and reducing fatigue.
Conclusion
It is normal to have trouble getting or maintaining an erection occasionally. Erectile problems come and go, and can also be improved by living a healthier life and trying to avoid factors that could lead to ED.
But if you notice that it is long-lasting, then you should visit your healthcare provider.
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