12 Things Everyone Wants To Know About Erectile Dysfunction
First, let’s just take a second to go over some statistics. Did you know as many as 30 MILLION men in the U.S. deal with erectile dysfunction, also called ED or impotence? Meaning, you’re not alone in your struggle. It should also be noted that worrying about ED may exacerbate performance issues. However, treating ED may be easier than you think, but let’s answer some frequently asked questions about it first.
1. Why Do Men Get ED?
Erectile dysfunction is when a man struggles to get or keep an erection during sexual interactions.
When it comes to older men, the issue typically stems from inadequate blood flow to the penis, which can be caused by conditions such as atherosclerosis or diabetes.
Younger men typical experience ED due to psychological issues like depression, anxiety or stress.
Other causes of ED could be related to hormonal imbalances like low testosterone.
2. Can Coffee Cause ED?
It has been suggested that coffee/caffeine can help treat ED due to the polyphenols (micronutrients that are super high in antioxidants) and anti-inflammatory properties found in it.
There has also been speculation as to whether a simple cup (or two or three) of coffee can boost testosterone and stimulate the flow of blood to the penis.
However, as more and more studies have been done, this has basically been debunked. Conversely, at the very least, it does appear that coffee consumption should not worsen ED, so go ahead and enjoy that morning cup of Joe (as long as it’s not harmful to any other preexisting conditions)!
3. Can Allergies Cause ED?
Interestingly, allergy suffers have reported that their allergies affect their sex lives, but how do they impact ED?
Some allergy symptoms, like runny nose, water eyes or fatigue, can cause a person to avoid sexual activities because they are not “in the mood.”
Yet, more so than that, medical researchers have began studying whether the inflammation associated with allergies can literally impede blood flow and contribute to ED.
Furthermore, allergy medications like Benadryl, Dramamine, and Phenergan can play a role in ED.
Histamine is a chemical receptor in the body that can help promote erections, but also causes the allergic reaction response in the body. Taking an antihistamine can block this reaction and improve your allergy symptoms, but it can also block the ability to get an erection.
4. Can Being Sick Cause ED?
There are many different ailments that can affect ED.
In general, a cold or the flu can lead to fatigue and symptoms that make you feel a little less than sexy, which can play a role in the psychological cause of ED.
Other ailments that can cause ED are diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea.
5. Can Cholesterol Medications Cause ED?
While there are a variety of blood pressure lowering medications that can contribute to ED, statins (their cholesterol-lowering brethren) actually do not cause ED. Statins have been reputed to potentially improve erectile function.
6. Can energy drinks cause ED?
This goes back to the coffee conversation. There have been a few studies that showed caffeine consumers were less likely to suffer with ED, but these were small studies so more thorough research is necessary.
However, at the very least, the caffeine in coffee and energy drinks does not appear to affect ED.
7. Can Heart Issues Affect ED?
You may be surprised to learn that ED might be an early warning sign of heart disease. Conversely, finding an effective treatment for your heart disease could improve your erectile function.
The reason heart issues can cause ED is because of inadequate blood flow to the heart and thus, impaired blood flow to the penis.
However, before you panic, you should be aware that ED isn’t always an indicator of heart problems, but they do share similar risk factors.
8. Can Blood Pressure Lowering Medications Cause ED?
Yes and no. The answer to this depends upon what medication you’re taking to treat your high blood pressure.
Typically, diuretics (also known as “water” pills) are more likely to contribute to ED than beta-blockers.
However, there’s a small variety of medications that usually don’t cause ED such as Alpha-blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs and calcium channel blockers.
9. Can Lack Of Protein Cause ED?
Typically, low testosterone is rarely an independent cause of ED, but rather a contributing factor.
Protein is a necessary component to help men produce testosterone. Furthermore, a lack of protein in your diet can increase globulin, which is a protein that binds to testosterone making it unusable by the body.
So, yes, lack of protein could potentially cause ED.
10. Can Masturbating Cause ED?
Fortunately, it is a myth that masturbating and/or masturbating “too much” can cause ED.
While you may have a little trouble achieving an erection soon after masturbating this is due to something called a refractory period and not ED. Think of the refractory period as your recovery time.
11. Can Bicycling Cause ED?
Shockingly, yes, very long bike rides on a very narrow back seat that puts pressure on the perineum can play a role in ED as it limits blood flow to the penis.
However, there are a few ways you can minimize your risk.
- Ditch the narrow bike seat with a long nose for a padded, wider, more rectangular seat.
- Shorten your bike ride, if possible. At the very least, add breaks to long rides where you can get off and walk around.
- Switch to a recumbent bike instead. Riding in a reclined position helps take pressure off the perineum.
12. How To Fix ED?
Before you turn to some of the more extreme treatments for ED, there are a couple of things you could do.
First, improve your health. If you drink or smoke, quit. Eat a healthy diet, making sure your protein consumption is adequate, and exercise regular.
GAINSWave™ Therapy is free of drugs and isn’t a surgery. It is non-invasive and has little to no side effects. The treatment can be done in office in only 20-30 minutes. Plus, there’s no downtime necessary and provides long lasting results. The reason GAINSWave™ has over a 75% success rate is because it directly addresses the root cause of ED, which is poor blood flow.
Calista Skin & Laser Center’s state-of-the-art, non-surgical technology provides you with a revolutionary approach to correcting ED. We’re an expert in the industry and invite you to book an appointment or contact us for any other questions by calling 817-488-3838.
We understand dealing with ED can be challenging and upsetting, but you should know you’re not alone. ED affects as many as 30 million men in the U.S. There are drug free and non-invasive treatment options available that could be perfect for men with preexisting conditions.
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Schedule a consultation
Please fill out the form below or call us at
817-221-0224
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone, text, and/or email.