Several lifestyle changes can boost the effectiveness of ED medications like Sildenafil, Vardenafil, and Tadalafil if they are not showing proper results. These lifestyle changes include a balanced diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men and can feel like a barrier between you and the intimacy you once enjoyed.
ED can be discouraging and frustrating. While there are quick solutions like medications that provide instant relief, combining them with various lifestyle changes can lead to more sustainable improvements.
In this blog, we’ll mainly discuss the lifestyle changes one can make to boost the effectiveness of one’s ED medications if they are not working effectively.
An Overview Of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual problem that men report to their healthcare providers. It is defined as a condition that is characterized by trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse.
ED can happen when blood flow to the penis is limited, for emotional reasons, or as an early warning sign of serious health ailments like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, heart disease, or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries due to plaque build-up).
Treatment Options For Erectile Dysfunction
The best treatment for your erectile dysfunction depends on the cause behind it, as well as what your healthcare provider thinks will work best. Treatments include:
Medications – The first treatment usually offered to men suffering from ED is a prescription medication such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil. They are generally taken 30 minutes to an hour before sexual activity, and these medicines work by improving blood flow to the penis when sexually stimulated.
Counseling – If ED is caused by psychological reasons like depression, stress, or anxiety, talking to a counselor could help.
Vacuum devices – A vacuum device for ED improves firmness by improving blood flow to the penis. Around 80% of men who use this device correctly can help get an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The process involves enclosing the penis within a vacuum-sealed cylinder. The vacuum device then uses negative pressure to bring blood into the penile tissue, increasing blood flow in a way similar to the body’s natural response to sexual arousal.
Once a firm erection is achieved through this process, a constriction ring is placed at the base of the penis. The ring helps in maintaining the erection by preventing blood from leaving the penis quickly.
Lifestyle Modifications: Simple lifestyle changes like exercise, proper diet, and stress management can significantly improve ED symptoms.
The Importance Of Combining ED Treatments With Lifestyle Changes
While suffering from erectile dysfunction, many treatments focus on relieving symptoms to provide immediate results. Medications and therapies work by enhancing blood flow, giving men the ability to achieve an erection. These treatments are effective and can restore confidence, allowing you to enjoy your sexual life.
However, lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, poor diet, high stress levels, and smoking can undermine the effectiveness of these ED treatments. Addressing these underlying contributors of erectile dysfunction is essential to improve erectile function and health in the long run. By combining lifestyle changes with ED treatments, you can maximize your results, improve your overall well-being, and enjoy sustainable improvements in your sexual health.
Lifestyle Changes That Improve The Results Of Ed Treatments
Making healthy lifestyle changes can significantly enhance the effectiveness of ED treatments by improving the underlying factors contributing to the condition. Below are some of the lifestyle changes that can complement ED treatments for better results.
Regular exercise – Regular physical exercise is one of the most effective ways to combat erectile dysfunction. Exercise reduces stress, improves blood circulation, and helps maintain a healthy weight. Regular physical exercise also boosts testosterone levels, which play an important role in sexual function.
Exercising for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week can make a significant difference in your sexual health.
Quit smoking – Smoking is a major risk factor associated with ED. The chemicals present in cigarettes can damage blood vessels, reduce proper blood flow to the penis, and impair the ability to get an erection. Quitting smoking can have immediate benefits for your sexual health. Some of the ways that could assist in quitting smoking are prescription medications, support groups, and nicotine replacement therapies.
Maintain a healthy diet – A healthy, well-balanced diet is essential to your overall well-being, including sexual health. Consuming a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can improve blood flow throughout the body, including to the penis. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as spinach, nuts, and berries, can help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health, essential for erectile function.
Moreover, foods rich in nitrates, like leafy greens, can enhance nitric oxide production, which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Let’s discuss some food items in detail that one can indulge in and avoid to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Great Foods For ED
Some of the best foods to eat for ED are as follows –
Salmon – A study by Ji Sung Shim et al. examined the relationship between ED and omega-3 fatty acids. In the study, it was found that a higher consumption of omega-3 helps in lowering psychological damage, which in turn may lower erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is one of the best foods for erectile dysfunction.
Spinach – Spinach is an excellent source of folate, which is a known blood flow booster. Folic acid plays a crucial role in male sexual function, and a low level of folic acid has been linked to erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, spinach contains a good amount of magnesium, which helps stimulate blood flow and is the best food for erectile dysfunction.
Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate is often regarded as an aphrodisiac and can enhance erectile function by improving blood flow throughout the body. Chocolate is often considered a natural Viagra and stimulates the release of hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which can boost libido.
Coffee – Studies have shown that males who drink two to three cups of coffee per day have a lower risk of having ED. Its thought that coffee can help prevent ED by relaxing the muscles and arteries inside the penis, improving the flow of blood, resulting in firmer erections.
Fruits For Erectile Dysfunction
Some excellent fruits that one can indulge in to reduce the risk of ED are –
Bananas – Bananas are rich in potassium and also consist of lots of flavonoids. Studies found that men who had the highest flavonoid consumption over 10 years were 10% less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than those with the lowest flavonoid intake.
Watermelon – Watermelon is rich in citrullin, an amino acid that plays a vital role in relaxing blood vessels. This relaxation can help enhance blood flow to the lower abdomen, thus helping improve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Mangoes – Mangoes are rich in magnesium and potassium, which help promote healthy blood circulation and improve erectile function.
Berries – Berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are packed with flavonoids that enhance blood circulation and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Worst Foods For Erectile Dysfunction
Here are some food items that one should avoid or limit to reduce the risk of ED.
Fried foods – Fried foods such as chicken strips, french fries, fried chicken, corn dogs, etc, are high in saturated and trans fats. Eating these foods can lead to heart disease, weight gain, and high cholesterol, all of which can contribute to ED.
Red meat – Red meat such as mutton, beef, and pork can increase levels of cholesterol in the body and cause fatty buildup in the blood vessels, including the ones in the penis. This can make it difficult for proper blood flow to the penis, which as a result, can lead to ED.
Alcohol – Drinking alcohol excessively can lead to various health problems that may increase the risk of ED. Heavy alcohol consumption can cause inflammation, leading to diabetes and heart disease, both of which are contributing factors to ED. In addition, alcohol can harm the liver, leading to elevated levels of estrogen and reduced levels of testosterone. These two factors play a crucial role in getting and keeping an erection.
Get a detailed overview of the food items that you should eat and avoid to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction by visiting our blog page, “Great and worst foods for erectile dysfunction.”
Conclusion
While ED medications can provide effective relief, their effectiveness can be increased with healthy lifestyle choices such as regular physical exercises, maintaining a healthy diet, and quitting smoking. All these lifestyle changes are powerful tools in your journey towards better sexual health.
If you or your loved one is suffering from erectile dysfunction. In that case, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider so that he can provide you with the best treatment option according to your individual needs.