Many different parts of your body are responsible for helping men achieve and maintain erections. These processes can be disrupted through unhealthy lifestyle choices. As a positive, most of these conditions are reversible through proper diet and exercise. Men who are seeking relief from erectile dysfunction also have various medical treatments available to help them.
Erectile Dysfunction Causes
Erectile dysfunction isn’t a natural part of aging, but the risk of getting this condition increases as men age.
This is because many of the underlying causes become more common with age. Since there are so many underlying culprits, it’s important to get diagnosed by a doctor before treating ED yourself. Conditions that could contribute to erectile dysfunction include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) or heart disease
- Blood vessel or cardiac damage
- Nerve damage (can be caused by diabetes)
- Poor diet (diets high in cholesterol and fat)
- Obesity (often caused by a poor diet)
- Depression, anxiety, and stress
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Chronic tiredness or fatigue
- Prostate surgery or cancer
- Some prescription drugs
The most common reason men develop erectile dysfunction is heart disease because plaque will block blood from entering the penis. ED is a common early sign of hypertension.
What Types of Medication Are Available Through Telehealth
Once you know the possible cause for erectile dysfunction, you’re likely interested in treatment options. While the lifestyle changes we’ll discuss in the next section will provide long-lasting relief, medication can help you reach a level of normalcy quickly. There are 4 options available:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
Each of these pill options are available through your doctor or online services, like BlueChe and Hims. If you’re interested in purchasing ED products online, read Usarx’s reviews of BlueChew and Hims. Medications can help you keep an erection and help you complete sexual activities, but it isn’t a cure-all. They won’t increase libido, sexual desire or help every man who has an ED.
If you want to pursue other medical interventions, you can try testosterone supplements, testosterone therapy, intraurethral medications, and penile injections.
5 Ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction With Lifestyle Changes
There’s no better medicine for erectile dysfunction than lifestyle changes, as ED can often be reversed with healthy habits. Consider the following lifestyle changes to treat ED.
1) Eat a Low-Cholesterol Diet
Several studies have tested the effects of a high cholesterol diet on erectile dysfunction, and researchers agree that ED is one of the earliest signs of heart disease. A healthy heart can improve blood flow throughout the entire body, and it seems like meat, dairy, and eggs are the primary reasons why ED forms. A plant-based diet has been tested to lower the ED burden.
2) Stop Smoking and Drinking
Men who abuse cigarettes and alcohol are at a higher risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction. Alcohol has a stronger link to ED when the user is intoxicated, as it slows the signals between the brain and body.
Drinking alcohol can also cause dehydration and interfere with testosterone production. Long-term heavy drinking can affect blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the penis.
3) Exercise Regularly
Kegel exercises can improve the strength of pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor exercises do more than just relieve erectile dysfunction symptoms.
They also reduce bowel and urinary incontinence, stops dribbling after urination, and improve overall sexual experience. Aerobic exercise can also help ED as it helps to circulate blood flow throughout the body.
4) Tackle Stress
Stress affects our bodies in more ways than one, but if you’re feeling uncomfortable or angry all the time, it can affect your sexual performance.
That doesn’t mean ED isn’t caused as a result of a specific person because personal and professional relationships are going to stress you out regardless. What we’re saying is you need to tackle your stress to reduce ED symptoms.
5) Continue Sexual Activity
It’s completely normal to avoid sexual activity when it makes you feel uncomfortable. However, if you’re having problems with ED, you need to stay sexually active to prevent further issues.
Frequent erections and sexual arousal, even if they aren’t firm enough or long-lasting, can stimulate blood flow to the penis. You may find that this constant stimulation will improve your sexual experiences and make it more likely you’ll achieve a firm erection in the future.
