For men who have erectile dysfunction (ED), it’s not uncommon to feel isolated and alone. But ED is extremely common, affecting about 30 million American men. Moreover, it’s a condition that can begin as early as your 20s, becoming more common with age.
Fortunately, today, many treatments can help. Like other chronic health issues, the key is finding the right treatment for your symptoms and lifestyle.
Located in Mesquite, Texas, Vijaya Nama, MD helps men manage erectile dysfunction symptoms with a combination of medical therapy and lifestyle changes. In this post, our team reviews five simple changes that could help you.
Most of us know smoking is bad for the lungs and the heart, but did you know it plays a role in ED? It’s true — men who smoke are roughly twice as likely to have ED compared to men who don’t smoke. That’s because smoking interferes with circulation, including blood flow necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
Moderate to heavy drinking can also lead to ED. While an occasional drink may help you relax before sex, one recent meta-analysis found chronic alcohol use can lead to vascular damage, which in turn increases the risk of ED.
Not only can being overweight affect your confidence when it comes to intimacy, but those added pounds can take a toll on erectile function, too. Being overweight or obese can lower your testosterone level, making it challenging to attain and maintain erections.
Extra weight also leads to inflammation and problems with circulation. Plus, carrying extra weight saps your energy and your libido, too. Losing weight can help “undo” these effects and improve not only erectile function but overall wellness, too.
Making exercise part of your routine helps improve circulation for better erectile function. It also helps reduce stress, manage your weight, and promote higher energy levels, which can help reduce your risk of ED.
In addition to aerobic exercises, like walking, jogging, and swimming, Kegel exercises may also help keep ED at bay. Most people think of Kegels as being an exercise for women who want to improve vaginal tone. But kegels can help with ED, too, improving blood flow to your genitals while toning the muscles in the area.
ED is associated with inflammation and circulation problems, so focusing on foods that help mitigate those problems could help reduce the risk of ED, too. That means loading up on foods high in antioxidants, which help ward off cell damage and promote overall health and wellness. Avoiding unhealthy fats and sodium promotes healthy blood vessels.
One recent study of more than 20,000 men found the risk of ED was lower among men who followed a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fish while avoiding red meat and processed meats.
ED isn’t just associated with physical issues. Emotional baggage, including day-to-day stress, can lead to erectile dysfunction symptoms, too. Not only can stress make it a lot harder to get “in the mood,” but it also restricts blood flow to your genitals.
Practicing meditation or yoga can help, but so can simple deep-breathing exercises. Making time for hobbies you enjoy and prioritizing your sleep schedule can yield big benefits, too.
There’s no denying that dealing with ED can be a frustrating experience. But the good news is, treatment can help — and the sooner you begin your custom therapy, the sooner you can improve your quality of life.
To learn more about ED and our treatment options, book an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Nama today.
