Some Men May Improve Erection Health Without Medication

In the “old days” before the development of the class of drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors, erectile dysfunction (ED) wasn’t talked about much, and was largely considered a psychological problem. Today, we know better.

Erection health is directly related to vascular health, and the major risk factors for ED are physical rather than psychological. Since the advent of drugs like Viagra, enough data has been collected on erection health to demonstrate clearly that ED is not “all in the mind.” This has not only led to less of a stigma surrounding ED, but also to research that can help men improve erection health in ways other than taking PDE-5 inhibitors.

While PDE-5 inhibitors have been nothing short of revolutionary, understanding the real connections among general health, lifestyle choices, and ED can help men get the best results possible from medications, and improve their overall quality of life as well. The result can be a positive cycle of improved erection health leading to a healthier total lifestyle, leading to better quality of life for men of all ages.

Risk Factors for ED Are Often Related to Lifestyle

Since many of the risk factors for ED are vascular in nature, and since lifestyle choices can affect vascular health, it only makes sense that lifestyle choices are related to ED. In fact, in recent years, physicians have realized that ED in younger men (under age 40) can often signal early cardiovascular disease. When cardiovascular disease is detected earlier, it’s easier to reverse.

Obesity is an important risk factor for ED that is related to lifestyle choices. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2004 by researchers at Second University of Naples in Italy found that weight loss improved erection health. Approximately one-third of obese men who were given detailed instruction on how to lose 10% or more of their total body weight through reducing caloric intake and increasing exercise reported improvement in sexual function over a period of two years.

Men with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have problems with erectile health when their diabetes is not controlled well. Over time, poor blood glucose control can result in increased damage to nerves and circulation in the sex organs. Keeping glucose levels in the normal range can help reduce the chance of this damage occurring. For erectile health, it’s important for men with diabetes to maintain good glucose control.

Smoking also appears to affect erectile health. Tammy Tengs, a public health researcher at the University of California at Irvine published results of a metadata study in Preventive Medicine recently. The research examined a range of studies over the past 20 years that included men with ED, and 19 of those studies recorded smoking habits. Tengs found that 40% of study subjects were smokers, compared with 28% of the general population.

For Some with ED, Lifestyle Changes Are Sufficient Treatment

A five-year study of 810 men with ED conducted by the University of Adelaide and recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that making lifestyle changes alone can improve erectile health. Professor Gary Wittert of the University of Adelaide told ScienceDaily, “The good news is, our study also found that a large proportion of men were naturally overcoming erectile dysfunction issues. The remission rate of those with erectile dysfunction was 29%, which is very high. This shows that many of these factors affecting men are modifiable.”

Researcher Sean Martin says that because ED is often a marker of underlying cardiovascular disease, “men should consider improving their weight and overall nutrition, exercise more, drink less alcohol and have a better night’s sleep, as well as address risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.”

Lifestyle Changes Can Help ED Medications Work Better

Dr. Martin says that even when men do take a medication like Viagra for ED, positive lifestyle changes are helpful, telling ScienceDaily, “Even when medication to help with erectile function is required, it is likely to be considerably more effective if lifestyle factors are also addressed.”

The University of Maryland Medical Center echoes this advice, saying, “No matter what the treatment, embarking on a healthy lifestyle is the first and critical step for restoring and maintaining erectile function.” So does the Cleveland Clinic, which reported, “For some men, adopting a healthier lifestyle by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and/or reducing stress may be all that is needed to find relief. For those who require more intensive treatment, adopting these lifestyle changes in addition to other treatments can further help.”

There’s No Reason Not to Make Positive Lifestyle Changes

If you are having difficulties with erectile health, you should speak with a physician, if for no other reason than to evaluate your cardiovascular health. If you are a good candidate for ED medications like Viagra, there’s every reason to make positive lifestyle changes, even if the drug offers relief. Specifically, you should strongly consider

• Quitting smoking – which can be difficult, but well worth the effort. Not only could you improve your erectile health, you can improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risk for other problems like lung disease.
• Exercising regularly – which also improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, increases energy levels and helps you relieve stress
• Taking other measures to control stress – like eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, consuming caffeine and alcohol only in moderation, and getting enough sleep at night

Conclusion

Today doctors understand that erection health is strongly influenced by cardiovascular health, and that in most cases erectile dysfunction is not primarily a psychological problem. By improving your lifestyle to reduce cardiovascular risk, you can also improve your erection health. And if you take prescription medications for ED, making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and keeping stress under control can help the medication work optimally.

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