Common Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) catches up to many of us eventually, affecting about half of all men ages 40 to 70. It can occur for many reasons, including:
· Side-effects of Medication
· Vascular Disease
· Neurological Disease
· Diabetes
· Prostate-related Treatments or Surgeries
Some Tips on How to Overcome Erectile Dysfunction, or ED
If you are currently having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, you must check with your doctor to make sure it is not being caused by an underlying, previously undiagnosed medical condition that needs treatment. While it may seem a private or personal problem, the possible risk factors contributing to ED could be life threatening.
Once your doctor gives you the all clear, you might try some of these tips to overcome ED.
· Walk: One of the simplest ways to help with ED is to get moving. A Harvard study showed that just 30 minutes of walking each day was linked with a 41 percent drop in risk for ED. Other research has suggested that moderate exercise can help restore sexual performance in obese middle-aged men who are suffering with ED.
· Diet: A Massachusetts Male Aging Study revealed that those who ate a diet rich in natural foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish – with fewer red and processed meat and refined grains – reduced their overall likelihood of ED.
· Good Vascular Health: Remember that an erection is based on a good blood flow in the penis. If your vascular health is less than optimal, then you are more likely to have issues with ED. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides can damage arteries in the heart (causing heart attack), in the brain (causing stroke), and those and leading to the penis (causing ED). Check with your doctor if you have any of these health issues to see if they can suggest lifestyle changes or medication that can improve your vascular condition.
· Size Matters: The size of your waistline matters when it comes to ED. A man with a 42 inch waist is 50 percent more likely to have ED than a man with a 32 inch waist. Maintaining a healthy weight can help fight ED, losing weight will improve your chance of avoiding or correcting ED. Obesity causes diabetes and vascular disease – two major causes of ED. Additionally, excess fat interferes with several hormones that may be part of the problem with getting or maintaining an erection.
· Work Those Kegels: A British trial showed that men who did three months of twice-daily sets of Kegel exercises (which strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor) combined with lifestyle changes had far better results at fighting ED than those who implemented lifestyle changes alone. This is because a strong pelvic floor enhances rigidity during erections, and helps keep blood from leaving the penis.
Are You Experiencing Erectile Dysfunction?
If you are in the Phoenix, AZ area, and have been experiencing problems getting or maintaining an erection, please call for an appointment with board-certified urologist Desiderio Avila, Jr., MD, at (602) 457-1705 or request an appointment online. Allow him to explain the options available to men who are looking to overcome erectile dysfunction. Dr. Avila has extensive experience and a high success rate in helping men with various urological concerns, including ED.
