Prevent Erectile Dysfunction: 15 Tips To Help Stop ED In Men

In this article, we’ll share with you, 15 powerful tips to help prevent Erectile Dysfunction.

Introduction

It is estimated that one in ten men suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in their lifetime. While it is common to experience occasional impotence, recurring occurrences may be cause for concern.

An erection is a physiological phenomenon in which blood flows to two chambers known as the corpora cavernosa in the penis, in response to stimulation. Whereas, erectile dysfunction is the inability to have or maintain an erection to engage in sexual activity. This can lead to problems in the patient’s sex life and affect their overall sex drive as well.

ED is not necessarily caused by a low sex drive, but it may lead to poor libido.

Erectile dysfunction affects older men much more: only about 5% of men under forty suffer from it. But 15% of men around the age of seventy report erectile issues.

Any disease that influences the blood circulation in your body could lead to ED. This includes cardiovascular disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), kidney disease, and multiple sclerosis(nerve damage by the immune system).

This article illustrates how to prevent erectile dysfunction, why it happens, and how to treat it.

Underlying Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction may arise due to several reasons, psychological or physical.

Stress, depression, anxiety, hormone imbalances, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, prescription medication, excessive drinking, or smoking are just a few of the triggers for ED.

The cause of erectile dysfunction in nearly three-fourths of men experiencing it is complicated. Consulting a doctor may help you in understanding more about why you may be experiencing ED.

Tips To Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

Healthy lifestyle habits are a big part of having better reproductive health.

Not only can you avoid erectile dysfunction and other sexual issues, but you can also improve your overall well-being with these pointers.

1. Alcohol

Consuming alcohol in excess reduces the blood volume in the body. It also induces higher levels of angiotensin, a peptide hormone that narrows blood vessels and regulates blood pressure. Long-term drinking may also weaken your nervous system.

2. Replacing Bike Seats

This may be surprising, but bike seats put undue pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvic floor. If you frequently cycle over long distances, it is recommended to have your old bike seat replaced with one designed to lessen the pressure on your perineum (the area between your scrotum and anus.)

3. Drug usage

Illicit drugs like cocaine, amphetamines, and opiates should be avoided for several reasons, especially since they suppress the central nervous system and may cause long-term damage to blood vessels.

This damage can in turn affect blood flow, leading to a weakened immune system, heavy nausea, increased risk of hepatitis, collapsed or clogged blood vessels, and erectile dysfunction too.

4. Diabetes

One of the conditions that are linked most distinctively to erectile dysfunction is Type II Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that alters the way the body processes blood sugar.

In Type II Diabetes, cells cannot use blood sugar (glucose) efficiently for energy and cannot use Insulin properly either, increasing blood sugar to abnormal levels. Men with diabetes are twice or thrice as likely to have erectile dysfunction. Keeping diabetes and blood sugar levels in check can be a good way to avoid ED.

5. Hypertension

High blood pressure is the result of root problems such as obesity and poor diet control. Hypertension also impairs arteries and blood vessels, hampering blood flow to eventually cause erectile issues.

High blood pressure medication is also linked to ED. So get into a fair discussion with your doctor or scan our website for more information on this topic.

6. High Cholesterol

High cholesterol builds up in blood vessels, narrowing them and causing cardiovascular disease. Poor vascular health can mean impeded blood circulation, which means less blood flow and erectile issues.

Eating fatty foods that are high in cholesterol can also cause obesity and weight gain, another trigger for ED. Keep in mind, obese men are at twice the risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

7. Mediterranean Diet

As obesity and vascular diseases are one of the main triggers for ED, nutritionists advise a diet that is good for cardiac health.

One such diet is a Mediterranean diet which comprises whole grains, fish, vegetables, and fruits that are often baked or grilled. Remember, fried high-fat content calorific foods as such, and also red meat can clog up arteries and create problems in retaining or even developing an erection.

8. Medication

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common side effects of many prescription medications like diuretics, antidepressants, muscle relaxers, cancer medication, antihistamines, and opioid painkillers. If you are on any of these medications and are experiencing ED, have a discussion with your doctor about ways to combat it.

9. Physical fitness

Doctors recommend at least thirty minutes of exercise every day and for good reason.

Physical activity promotes blood circulation and high stamina. According to a study conducted by Harvard, just a thirty-minute walk each day can lower the risk of erectile dysfunction by 41%.

Daily exercise can even lower stress levels and avert weight gain. Along with regular exercise, you can try Kegel exercises as well. Kegels strengthen pelvic floor muscles and enhance rigidity by keeping the blood from leaving the penis.

10. Smoking

Cigarettes contain nicotine, another stimulant that can cause arterial damage. It also causes vasoconstriction or contraction of the blood vessels, impairing blood flow to the penis. Studies show that men who smoke are at two times the risk of developing ED than nonsmokers.

11. Steroids

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic versions of the male sex hormone, testosterone. Often consumed by bodybuilders, steroidal androgens have a structure similar to testosterone.

Higher levels of steroid intake may harm your body’s natural ability to produce sex hormones, causing hormone imbalances and low testosterone levels. They also have a ton of risky side effects such as shrinkage in testicles and hair loss. Skipping steroids is a surefire way to prevent erectile dysfunction.

12. Stress

Stress is one of the main causes of ED. It affects sex drive and sexual performance by interrupting the brain signals for arousal.

Stress also raises adrenaline levels in the body, making blood vessels constrict and impeding blood flow. There can be many kinds of stress- psychological, professional, trauma, and stress from a major life change too.

Managing stress or remedying it by physiotherapy, counseling, exercise, and stress-relievers like chamomile tea may help lower stress levels.

13. Sleep Apnea

Research has established a link between this sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is continuously interrupted during sleep. It is more common in men and its risk factors include obesity and aging.

Waking up tired after a full night’s sleep, headaches, loud snoring, and extreme sleepiness during the day are all warning symptoms of sleep apnea. Consulting a sleep specialist can help you get a hold of the issue.

14. Supplements

There are many ED supplements available for use. Natural supplements have no side effects and are one of the safest ways to prevent erectile dysfunction.

L-arginine is an amino acid and it improves the blood flow in the body. Also known as the herbal Viagra, L-arginine is very effective as a naturally occurring aphrodisiac and stress reliever. Supplements containing Dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA are also known to help as they block the effect of vasoconstrictor.

15. Testosterone levels

Testosterone is the male sex hormone. Monitoring hormone levels is important to prevent erectile dysfunction. Testosterone levels naturally diminish with age: every year after a man turns forty, his testosterone levels lower by 1.3%.

Testosterone deficiencies can cause low libido, mood swings, erectile issues, and hormonal imbalances. There are plenty of treatments to keep such hormone levels in check.

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Considering that there are various reasons for ED, doctors use several different methods for diagnosis. Complete blood count tests, liver and kidney function tests, blood hormone tests, and urinalysis are used to diagnose whether a patient has reptile dysfunction or not.

Treatments for ED range from oral medications, sex therapy, intraurethral medicine or penile injections, and penile prosthesis surgery. Medications like sildenafil and vardenafil often have side effects such as low blood pressure, nasal congestion, and headaches.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction often occurs as a result of other serious illnesses in the body. Consulting a medical professional and diagnosing any other ailments to treat them is one of the most important ways to prevent erectile dysfunction. ED is a common problem and men should not be afraid or ashamed to seek out help for it.