Erectile Disfunction

Having problems with your sex life? Does your wife complain when the lights go out? Don’t expect the worse. For all you know, it may be a temporary problem.

Erection can occur gradually or as fast as three seconds and can be lost rapidly or slowly. The length of time an erection can be maintained varies in people and depends on certain circumstances.

For this reason, an occasional bout of impotence or erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve an erection) is excusable and nothing to worry about.

Prolonged impotence, however, is another thing. It demands prompt medical attention and a visit to a doctor.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to maintain a firm erection long enough to have sex. Although erectile dysfunction is more common in older men, this common problem can occur at any age. Having trouble maintaining an erection from time to time isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. But if the problem is ongoing, it can cause stress and relationship problems and affect self-esteem.

The causes of impotence are numerous. High blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hormonal disorders, heavy drug, alcohol or tobacco use can lead to the condition.

At one time, doctors thought ED was primarily caused by psychological issues. But this isn’t true. While thoughts and emotions always play a role in getting an erection, ED is usually caused by something physical, such as a chronic health problem or the side effects of a medication. Sometimes a combination of things causes ED.

In the absence of physical causes, the problem may be psychological in origin. Anything from the fear of pregnancy to the fear of impotence itself can make one impotent. Other common psychological causes are anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue and poor communication.

The physical and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction interact. For instance, a minor physical problem that slows sexual response may cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can worsen ED, the Mayo Clinic said..

Psychological cases can be remedied with the help of a psychiatrist or sex counselor. In the meantime, do your share by living a sensible life, getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly.

Of course, impotence normally comes with old age. At this point in time, there is little medicine can do after the body has been subject to the wear and tear of daily activities much more the ravages of disease.

Any man or couple dealing with erectile dysfunction can find this problem to be frustrating and embarrassing. While it’s easy for others to make light of the situation, and certainly there are worse medical conditions one could face, website searches and doctor inquiries about erectile dysfunction and Viagra are becoming more and more common every single day.

You may be wondering, can you really treat erectile dysfunction with Viagra? Is it just as easy as popping a pill? What are some concerns with this course of treatment?

The real truth is that Viagra will not instantly and automatically give a man an erection. This medicine works by allowing more blood to flow to the penis, which enables a man to get and to keep an erection as he normally would. When treating erectile dysfunction, Viagra is simply a tool to get past this condition, not something to cure it. Whatever a man’s reason for having sexual difficulties, be it old age or diabetes or an injury, Viagra will not “magically” cure him of these problems.

For most men however, when facing their problems with erectile dysfunction, Viagra seems to be very successful. It allows them to enjoy normal sexual activity once again. The medication allows this blood flow to the penis for some four hours after taking it, so a couple has plenty of time in which to enjoy their sexual activity. Erections go away after sexual activity as they normally would.

There are a few side effects when treating erectile dysfunction with Viagra, but most of these are mild and very few cause one to stop taking the medication. Of course, you need to remember that Viagra is a prescription drug and should be taken according to your doctor’s instructions.

The sexual health of men is not as complicated as that of women. Show a man a certain type of image and if his brain and nervous system are working properly to produce nitric oxide, then a response will usually occur. Thats not to discount any mental, emotional, and spiritual components but it is the physical component that has the greatest impact on mans sexual health. This article will focus on what men can do to improve the physical component of their sexual health. The side benefit is that these suggestions can also positively impact your overall wellness and how you age.

In all the information I gathered to prepare for this article, two overriding issues kept surfacing. These two health issues were consistently present. The first is hormone levels. The second is cardiovascular health. Most men would understand how hormone levels could apply but few ever consider cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular Health!
Your cardiovascular health is as important to your sexual health as it is to your overall health. The reason why centers on the health of the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels of your body. The creation of nitric oxide occurs in these endothelial cells. Nitric oxide researchers believe that nitric oxide can correct up to 90% of all penile dysfunction. When the endothelial cells are damaged by high blood pressure, high sugar levels, cholesterol, and smoking this decreases nitric oxide production. Endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide are critical to the sexual health of men.

Hormone Levels!
At its simplest level, sex is just a hormone driven function designed to perpetuate the species. With that said, the sexual health of American men is in trouble. Testosterone levels have been decreasing over the last 20 years. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It plays an important role in maintaining bone and muscle mass. Low levels of testosterone have been linked to lowered libido and diabetes. Diabetes can affect the endothelial cells of the blood vessels compounding the problem of lower testosterone levels.

Over the past two decades, the level of testosterone in American males has decreased by 16 percent. Researchers dona^€™t know why. But there are some clues. The recent Nurses Health Study revealed some important truths as they apply to women. Some of those truths also apply to the sexual health of men because they affect both hormonal levels and cardiovascular health.

Additionally, as testosterone levels have decreased this has resulted in reduced muscle mass and tone, reduced metabolism and energy and an increase in body fat. Not a sexy combination! You can accept it and do nothing about it. Or, you can begin to live life by making healthier eating and exercise choices. Choices that will help your body actually be younger physically than your chronological age.

You Have Control Over the Process!
Every day you replace approximately 1% of your cells. That means that 1% of your body is new today, 1% is new tomorrow, and 1% is new each and every day of your life. You choose whether those new cells will be nourished properly or poorly. You choose whether you will have healthy and vibrant cells that act young. Or, sickly and sedentary cells that act old.

The sexual health of your body will be affected by the choices you make. I call it The 1% Solution!? and it will positively affect the cardiovascular and sexual health of your body.

Choices Affecting Sexual Health!
The Nurses Health Study highlighted five critical lifestyle and diet behaviors. They are:

- Carbohydrates - Slow verses Fast!
- Fats - Natural verses Artificial!
- Protein - Animal or Plant!
- Body Weight - Your BMI!
- Exercise - Is It Important?

If you look at this list, three critical components emerge: Diet, Weight, and Exercise! Now you might think that this only applies to women. It doesn’t! Each of these factors will affect your cardiovascular health and hormonal balance. Each of these factors also affects the health of your endothelial cells and their ability to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production is the most important component to the sexual health of men. Lets look at how all of these factors impact your sexual health.

The Diet Component!
You are what you eat and drink. The sexual health of your body and the cardiovascular health of your circulatory system will be greatly determined by your food and drink choices. These choices will also impact the potential for disease and how you age.

Your first choice is in the area of carbohydrates. Are you choosing foods and drinks that are high in fast carbs (simple sugars)? If you are, then you need to understand that:

- Fast carbs disrupt hormone levels.
- Fast carbs create the potential for high blood sugar that can lead to diabetes.
- High blood sugar can damage the endothelial cells of your blood vessels reducing the production of nitric oxide which is critical for good sexual and cardiovascular health.

Learn to consume foods that are high in slow carbs (complex carbohydrates). Slow carbs will help to keep your blood sugar levels normal and your hormonal levels balanced. Drink water instead of sugary drinks and diet sodas. Drinking water hydrates your system, helps you balance your hormone levels, and aids in weight management.

Your second choice is in the area of fats. Eliminate all trans fats from your diet and replace them with natural, heart-health fats. The Nurses Health Study clearly showed how disruptive trans fats are to fertility in women. As little as four grams of trans fat (the equivalent of two tablespoons of stick margarine, one medium order of French fries or one doughnut) began to disrupt their hormonal balance.

How much of your diet consists of trans fats from fast food restaurants? How many orders of French fries and doughnuts have you consumed at work? Although I can’t give you any hard research on men, it makes sense that we can be as affected by trans fats as women are. Its time that you incorporate foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as wild, cold-water fish, walnuts, and flax seeds) since essential fats help to balance hormone levels and promote healthy cell function.

Your third choice is in the area of protein. According to the Nurses Health Study, women who got their protein from plant sources rather then from animals took a big step toward improved fertility. Animal protein can adversely affect your sexual health. It also has a direct influence on cancer!

If you are not willing to give up your beef, pork or chicken, then invest the time, energy and extra cost to make sure that these sources of protein are hormone free. This also applies to your dairy products. Much of the industry still relies on hormonal injections into their livestock to help increase food production. Eating meat from these animals and their byproducts will affect your hormonal levels. If youre not willing to switch to plant-based protein sources, then make sure your meat and dairy sources are hormone free.

The Weight Component!
Like it or not weight impacts the sexual health of your body. Why? Because fat interferes with your hormonal balance! Fat also stresses your cardiovascular system. This additional stress on your cardiovascular system will compromise the sexual health of your body. Currently, 66% of Americans are overweight with at least a third being obese. Diets are not the answer. America has been dieting for the last 50 years. It has had no real impact on slowing down overweight and obesity rates.

You need a paradigm shift from aedieting- to a healthy eating. Make food choices based on how it will improve your health and wellness, not on how it will impact your weight. Most people who do this see their weight stabilize or decrease.

The Exercise Component!
Exercise is important for both sexual and cardiovascular health. Inactivity saps the body of its ability to respond to insulin and makes you less efficient in absorbing blood sugar. A study from the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality highlighted that people who exercised on a regular basis:

- Feel better about themselves.
- Think they are more sexually desirable.
- Experience greater levels of satisfaction.

Its always important to check with your physician or health care provider before you start an exercise program. Once you have their OK, than strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, biking, and swimming are important and seem to increase circulation to the pelvis and the reproductive organs. But dont forget about strength training exercises. Strength training exercises will help you maintain bone health and density. Additionally, strength training exercises will increase your spatial awareness. This is a very positive feeling that improves your overall well being.

The Nitric Oxide Component!
You cannot live without nitric oxide. Your cardiovascular system could not function properly without nitric oxide. The sexual health of your body revolves around the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide production is dependant upon the health of the endothelial cells of your blood vessels, and adequate supplies of the essential amino acid L-arginine.

High blood pressure, high sugar levels, high cholesterol levels and smoking all affect your endothelial cells in a negative way. Damage to these endothelial cells will reduce nitric oxide production. This can compromise the blood flow to the sexual organ resulting in reduced sensitivity and/or erectile dysfunction.

Since nitric oxide is synthesized from the essential amino acid L-arginine, your diet needs to include protein sources and/or supplements that contain this amino acid. It needs to be emphasized that L-arginine is not a hormone and it is not testosterone. However, when properly brought into the body it can cross the blood-brain barrier to signal the hypothalamus to naturally trigger the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone. This is the key to eliminating any negative side effects typically associated with hormone supplements like DHEA and HGH.

Please note that L-arginine has a dark side and can cause some serious side effects. Read my article, a^€oeL-arginine, Nitric Oxide and Sexual Health!- for more information on this essential amino acid.

Conclusion!
If you continue a life of inactively, animal protein intake, sugary drinks, foods made from refined grains, increased body fat, and inadequate nitric oxide production, then you will become part of the new reality for America. This new reality includes epidemic increases in diabetes, continued high levels of cardiovascular disease and stroke, continued high levels of cancer, and poor sexual health especially for those over the age of 40. As Aristotle said, We Are What We Repeatedly Do!

By taking the necessary steps to improve your diet, manage your weight, exercise properly and increase your bodys ability to produce nitric oxide you will experience positive changes in the sexual health of your body. If you repeatedly take these positive steps you will also improve your wellness and slow down your aging.

One Final Thought!
Although the hormonal balance between men and women are different, the process of change is the same. Many of the steps that improve the sexual health of men will also help improve the sexual health of women. Encourage your spouse or partner to implement these changes with you. If you both take the steps to improve your health, then you will both be reward in the bedroom, and in living your life to its fullest.

Until next time, may we both age youthfully!

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is no longer known as “impotence”. This is a very common condition, one from which half of all men will suffer in their lives. About 70% of the time, erectile dysfunction has physical causes such as vascular/heart disease, diabetes, or a vitamin deficiency. Since we know that ED might have physical causes, it means that the condition can be easily treatable in most cases. Vitamin nutritional supplements have been shown, in many studies, to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction.

Look at the Research

What is the science behind ED? This must be considered carefully when deciding how to treat it. There are lots of websites making claims about the right ways to treat ED. We have used widely-studied vitamins to make out nutritional supplement, and will discuss the information found here.

Studies on Asian Ginseng

Asian Ginseng root is also known as Panax, or Korean Ginseng. It has a history of use in promoting male potency for hundreds of years and has been researched extensively in Asia. A study published in Korea in 2006 indicated that Asian Ginseng can increase erectile function in ED patients. At the same time, Asian Ginseng does not affect hormones, or liver or renal levels. In the study there were also no toxic side effects noted.

Other studies about Asian Ginseng have been done as well. In 2002, a study of 45 ED patients was conducted in Korea. The study found that Asian Ginseng helped with ED. Asian Ginseng as part of a vitamin supplement was found to improve ED significantly without affecting testosterone, in a study in Brazil. There was also a study done on animals in the U.S. in 2002 which showed that Asian Ginseng increased male performance as well as libido.

Though Asian Ginseng has been shown to have many health benefits, caution still must be exercised with its use, particularly when combining it with insulin, warfarin, caffeine, phenelzine, and certain low blood sugar level drugs.

Ginkgo Biloba and ED

An herbal nutritional supplement that is popularly used to help with a variety of health problems is Ginkgo biloba is a blood vessel dilator, increases peripheral circulation, and decreases platelet stickiness. It is therefore commonly used as a natural treatment for circulatory problems. Erectile function is related to circulatory problems, so ginkgo biloba is therefore useful in the treatment of it. Two clinical studies conducted in 1991 and 1998 have shown that Ginkgo biloba is useful in treating ED when part of a vitamin supplement, and dozens of other studies have been conducted that show ginkgo biloba’s benefits towards other health disorders. If you are currently taking any medications or multi vitamins, check with your doctor about possible interactions.

Muira Puama

Muira Puama, which is also known as murapuama, is an herb from the Amazon rainforest. It was original used by indigenous South America people as a nutritional supplement for male potency. Many studies on Muira Puama’s effectivness with ED have been conducted. 90% of participants in one study conducted in France, of 262 Ed patients, experienced significant improvement. As of date, no interactions between Muira Puama drugs or vitamins has been found.

Tobacco Use Has an Effect!

If you have a cigarette habit, you may be exacerbating ED. Several clinical studies have shown a connection between ED and smoking. Give up tobacco for the sake of your health as well as your sex life!

If you are experiencing ED, see a doctor first to be screened for its possible causes. After those are found out, it use of nutritional supplements or vitamins may be effective. Many vitamins and herbs have been clinically tested and have been used traditionally, and world-wide. Using natural means to treat ED may be your best bet.