ED or Erectile Dysfunction is a commonly regarded problem for men as they age. But, nowadays we see several younger men finding difficulties with getting an erection. Around one in five men report repeated problems in sustaining an erection and the numbers get bigger with age. In this article, we tell you all about treating erectile dysfunction the natural way.
Erectile Dysfunction is a serious health hazard
More than a sexual problem, Erectile Dysfunction is a serious health hazard that can signal a host of other problems with your body. ED is an effective barometer for men’s health and wellbeing.
Getting and maintaining an erection requires a series of things to go right – you have to get aroused, pass that signal from your brain through your nerves and hormones to your blood vessels and muscles. Even if one thing goes wrong in the exchange of signals between your brain, cardiovascular and nervous system, the result is erectile dysfunction.
So, there is no need to panic as it can be caused by several factors ranging from depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, nerve damage, diabetes and more. The good news is that Erectile Dysfunction can be treated easily the natural way with simple lifestyle changes and natural medicines without any side-effects.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
1. Cardio-Vascular Problems
ED is often a warning sign of more serious problems like diabetes, obesity, cholesterol, diabetes and more. It can be regarded as the body’s engine light. Since the blood vessels in the penis are relatively smaller than the rest of the body, a blockage due to cardiovascular issues can cause ED.
2. Medicines
Common medications and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with normal blood flow, decrease libido or cause retrograde ejaculation. Some medicines that can cause ED are SSRIs, beta blockers, diuretics, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Muscle relaxants, Antihistamines, Antifungals. In fact, 8 of the 12 most commonly prescribed medications list ED as a side-effect.
3. Substance Abuse
Alcohol, drugs, smoking cause serious damage to blood vessels and eventually lead to ED. Chronic use exposes more risk.
4. Too much Cycling
The link between ED and cycling is controversial, but the evidence tells us that it puts too much pressure on the pudendal artery resulting in penile numbness
5. Psychological Causes
Severe anxiety, stress, and depression can also cause ED and affect the ability to maintain an erection
Treating Erectile Dysfunction the Natural Way
The best remedy for ED is a healthy lifestyle that aims to reverse it naturally rather than just managing it with medications.
1. Pay Attention to your Vascular Health
High blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure can damage the arteries in the heart, brain and follow its course to the penis. If you have ED for a prolonged time, you might want to check your vascular health and take measures to curb them. Also, watch your weight and take the right steps to lose weight if you are obese.
2. Exercises for ED
Exercises in Yoga and Kegel exercises can help relax your pelvic muscles and eradicate the onset or progression of ED. It helps to promote blood flow and also has a calming effect on the mind. A strong pelvic floor is necessary to enhance rigidity during erection and specific poses in Yoga and Kegel exercises can you help you achieve the same.
These exercises help to strengthen the bulbocavernosus muscle which promotes urinary continence and sexual health. In a recent study, a holistic approach of doing kegel exercises twice a week for 3 months along with a healthy lifestyle worked effectively for ED.
3. Diet
Consuming a diet rich in natural foods like fruits, vegetables, high-fiber, whole grains and avoiding processed foods and refined grains will decrease the likelihood of ED. In particular, foods high in zinc like pumpkin seeds, spinach, chia seeds will stabilize testosterone hormones. Also, foods that increase blood flow like garlic, onion, Vitamin E foods of wheat germ, green leafy vegetables can be taken. Carrots, Drumstick, Pomegranate, Watermelon Juice and ginger are other sources that help treat ED.
4. Manage Stress and Anxiety
Many young men are exposed to work pressure and stress for a prolonged time. This can put them in trouble and give rise to unnecessary health hazards. So, it’s important to manage stress with the right measures. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body.
In Addition to this, ensure to catch on quality sleep. Poor sleep patterns can contribute to ED at times as it can disrupt your hormone cycle. Adhering to a strict sleep schedule will help to keep things under control.
5. Herbal Remedies
Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Safed Musli, Indian Ginseng, Cassia Cinnamon are known to alleviate ED. You can also take aloe vera juice to detox the system and get rid of impurities clogging your blood flow. As opposed to conventional drugs for ED like Viagra, these herbs are natural and come with no potential side-effects.
Many people shy away from addressing this personal problem of Erectile Dysfunction. If this problem constantly perturbs you, it’s time to take the right measures to treat it, as it can be an indicator of your overall wellbeing.