No one wants to hear the words “erectile dysfunction” – including men and women. But the condition is common and, unfortunately, unavoidable. More than 3 million men across the U.S. can’t get it up, or keep it up, according to the Mayo Clinic. This spans across all age groups, as seven percent of men between 18 and 29 can’t orgasm, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Dozens of commercials will tell you to try ED pills such as Levitra, Viagra and Cialis. But are pills the right thing for you?
Experts say heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol are to blame for erectile dysfunction. Characteristically, these conditions constrict the blood vessels instead of opening them to allow blood flow to the penis.
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ED pills, also known as PDE5 inhibitors, combat erection failure by relaxing tight blood vessels. This allows for more blood to flow to the penis, which causes an erection, Dr. Gregory Bales of the University of Chicago told Men’s Health.
As with everything, though, these drugs come with their fair share of side effects. These include indigestion, headaches and dizziness.
There is one way to avoid these inconvenient side effects – take the no-pill approach. Yes, there are natural ways to strengthen an erection, according to Men’s Health.
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No cigarettes.
Smoking damages blood vessels and can affect proper blood flow, including to the sex organs. A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Urology International found that men who smoke have more damage to their sperm than men who don't light up. The nicotine may be the main contributor to erectile dysfunction. Making lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, can help.
Lose weight.
A lower blood pressure decreases the chances of hypertension which means your blood vessels allow for the proper flow of blood without complication.
No Sudafed.
This nasal medication is packed with chemical pseudoephedrine, which is used for men who suffer from the inability to relax an erection.
Speak with your physician.
If you’re on other medications, it’s possible that those pills may be causing your erectile dysfunction. You should check with you doctor to find out more about the prescriptions you’re on and their effect on your penis.
