Do you struggle with erectile dysfunction (or ED for short)? If so, you’re not alone.
Approximately 40 percent of men are affected by ED at age 40, and that number increases to nearly 70 percent by the time they reach age 70.
Because it is such a common condition, there are a lot of different ED supplements and prescription medications that men can use to help improve their symptoms. However, some of these options come with troubling side effects.
If you’re wary of using supplements or pharmaceuticals, keep reading. Explained below are some effective natural and at-home remedies you can try before you turn to ED supplements.
1. Acupuncture
At first, having tiny needles inserted at various points throughout the body might seem like a strange way to treat erectile dysfunction. For many men, though, it works.
The theory behind acupuncture is that it helps to relieve energy blockages. This allows energy to flow freely through the body and keeps everything functioning as it should.
Even if you don’t believe in altering energy flow, acupuncture can still promote relaxation and stress relief. Both things are important for managing ED symptoms.
2. Exercise
If acupuncture doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of other solutions you can try, including good old-fashioned exercise. Exercising regularly is good for all aspects of your health, including managing your ED symptoms.
Exercise can help to improve mood and relieve depression, which can cause ED in some men. When you exercise often, you’ll notice improved blood flow throughout the body and increased testosterone levels. It can also help you lose weight.
These factors may contribute to a reduction in signs of ED.
3. Healthy Diet
Besides exercise regularly, you also ought to focus on eating a healthy diet. Healthy eating, like exercise, affects (for the better) essentially all systems of the body.
For managing ED, there are some specific nutrients you’ll want to focus on including in your diet. This includes antioxidants from fruits and vegetables and healthy omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish like the salmon.
You’ll also want to minimize your consumption of sugar and processed foods, both of which can lead to weight gain, increased inflammation, and other health issues.
4. Sleep
If your diet is on point and you’re exercising often, you’re on the right track to naturally fighting off symptoms of ED. However, it’ll be hard for you to see the results you want if you don’t get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for proper hormone production.
Without adequate rest, your body won’t produce as much testosterone, which is necessary for combating erectile dysfunction. Poor sleep can also contribute to weight gain, and depression and other issues that can make ED worse.
5. Stop Smoking
Smoking impairs blood flow throughout the body and can contribute to blockages in the arteries. This can cause or contribute to the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. That’s why doctors often want to know if you smoke when you come to them to talk about your ED symptoms.
Giving up smoking can have a huge impact on your symptoms and can provide you with a lot of relief. It’ll also make other natural remedies, such as exercise and sleep, easier and more effective.
6. Reduce Alcohol Intake
Overdoing it on alcohol can make ED symptoms worse.
It’s a central nervous system depressant, and it can contribute to both temporary and long-term ED. This is because the central nervous system is responsible for the release of nitric oxide. Without adequate nitric oxide, it’ll be hard for you to get and maintain an erection.
You don’t have to give up drinking altogether. However, you may need to cut back if you want to see an improvement in your ED symptoms without relying on drugs and supplements from your doctor.
7. Avoid Certain Medications
Some medications can also cause ED or worsen your symptoms. This includes anti-depressants (which is ironic considering the fact that depression can also contribute to erectile dysfunction), diuretics, corticosteroids, blood pressure medications, and cholesterol medications.
You shouldn’t stop taking any medications without first consulting your doctor. If you suspect that one (or more) of the drugs you take regularly is affecting you, talk to them about switching to something else or getting off of it altogether.
8. Herbs
You may not want to rely on supplements or prescriptions from your doctor to manage your ED. However, you may want to consider certain herbal remedies.
Most times, herbs like Panax Ginseng, Horny Goat Weed, and pomegranate juice can provide benefits to those struggling with ED.
This has to do, in part, with the fact that they increase nitric oxide production in the body. This helps to improve blood flow and can make it easier for you to get and maintain an erection.
9. Hypnosis
Besides all these other natural erectile dysfunction treatments, hypnosis can also be very effective.
Hypnosis for erectile dysfunction has not been studied as thoroughly as some other approaches, but many men have seen impressive results after undergoing hypnotherapy.
Working with a hypnotherapist can help to improve mood and promote positivity. This minimizes feelings of depression, which can be a contributor to erectile dysfunction.
Hypnotherapists can also help you give up certain habits that might worsen your symptoms, such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
At-Home Treatments First, Then ED Supplements
As you can see, there are a lot of effective natural routes you can pursue before you take ED supplements.
Sometimes, supplements are necessary to help you feel your best. Often, though, you can see great results by changing your lifestyle and using more holistic approaches.
Do you want to learn more about improving your overall health and wellness? If so, check out the Health section of our site today for additional resources.