Protecting Your Erection
1. Have a good diet
A healthy diet that’s good for your heart will also go some way to protecting your potency.
“The risk factors for ED are the same for coronary disease, so if you lower your cholesterol, take exercise and eat healthily it will be of benefit,” says Dr Graham Jackson, consultant cardiologist and chairman of the Sexual Advice Association. Blood flow is needed for the penis to become erect. Diets that include very few fruits and vegetables along with lots of fatty, fried and processed foods can contribute to decreased blood circulation throughout the body.
2. Stay slim
If you are overweight you have a higher risk of many health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. There have been studies suggesting having a large waist can increase your risk of erection problems but there’s no definitive proof this is the case.
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3. Avoid high blood pressure and high cholesterol
“Another cause of ED is reduced blood flow to the penis due to raised cholesterol levels or high blood pressure,” Both conditions can damage blood vessels, including those that bring blood to the penis. Eventually, this may lead to ED. Make sure your doctor checks your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. You might also want to check your own blood pressure between doctor visits. Blood pressure monitors are also sold for home use.
4. Don’t overdo the booze
Some men who’ve been drinking too much alcohol on a particular occasion may not be able to get an erection. There’s no evidence that drinking within limits is bad for erectile function but chronic heavy drinking is another matter. a psycho-sexual counsellor and consultant for the Sexual Advice Association says “Persistent drinking can make a man unable to perform.” Very heavy drinking can cause liver damage, nerve damage and other conditions which may lead to ED.
5. Exercise regularly
As many physical causes of erectile dysfunction are linked to vascular problems, exercise which gets the blood flowing around your body is a good idea. The NHS suggests you can reduce your risk of ED by regular exercise. Running, swimming and other aerobic exercises are all good. They get your heart pumping and oxygen into your blood.
Be careful when it comes to cycling though. It can cause pressure on your perineum, the area between your scrotum and anus, which isn’t good for your penis. If you want to keep on cycling get padded shorts and a properly fitted bike seat. NICE guidelines for England suggest that men with erectile problems who cycle more than 3 hours a week should give it up for a while to see if their erectile function gets better.
6. Keep tabs on testosterone
Even in healthy men, testosterone levels often begin falling sharply around age 50. A man’s testosterone gently falls from age 20 onwards and at 75 it can be half the level of a 20 year old, according to the Sexual Advice Association. Symptoms like a low sex drive, moodiness, lack of stamina, or trouble making decisions suggest a testosterone deficiency, as do weak erections.