It could be that you’ve had a stressful week at work, you’re having problems at home, or perhaps it’s those 3 beers you had after work. But, you know what, that’s okay. Failing to stand to attention from time to time isn’t always a cause for concern. However, if these issues are becoming a more common occurrence, it’s likely you’re experiencing the effects of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as an inability to gain or maintain an erection. It’s a condition that affects around 30 million men in the US, so if you feel like you’re alone in this, you’re really not. ED is more common as you age, but that’s not to say that young men are completely exempt.
It’s a difficult topic to discuss and many men don’t feel comfortable talking about it with friends or even doctors. Many ignore the problem in the hope it eventually resolves itself. However, this isn’t a wise idea at all. So, before you go sweeping your concerns under the carpet, just consider for a moment that your ED could be a symptom of another underlying issue.
Let’s go over the health conditions that could affect your time in the bedroom.
Heart disease
Could your junk going soft be a sign that something in your heart is going hard?
Well, it might just be as if studies have shown that erectile dysfunction is the predictor of heart troubles. It’s as much of a factor as a family history of heart disease or even smoking. In some men, ED can be a sign of a significant heart event such as a heart attack or stroke.
Also Read: How to gain confidence in the bedroom
When left untreated, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can cause damage to your blood vessels. This means they lose their elasticity and become hardened; plaque can also build up within your arteries, making them more narrow and blocking blood flow. Due to the fact that the blood vessels to your penis are three times smaller than the ones in your heart, these are more likely to close up first.
Some say that what is good for the heart is also good for the penis. Without taking this too literally it means following a healthy diet, reducing the stress in your life, and getting regular exercise. In fact, doing aerobic exercises like cycling or swimming, at a relatively vigorous intensity for 40 minutes up to 4 times a week, could greatly improve erectile function. This would especially help those who suffer from ED as a side effect of cardiovascular issues.
Peyronie’s disease
If you’ve noticed there is a curve in your penis that never used to be there, then you may be dealing with Peyronie’s disease. It’s a connective tissue disorder that causes penile deformities affecting around 1 in 100 men as well as the many that are yet to be diagnosed.
It can all start with a very small injury to the penis, one that you might not even notice. Then, as this heals you may end up with some scar tissue causing a curve to develop. Now, this is completely depending on the degree of curvature, but sex could become painful for you and your partner. Additionally, the curve could also lead to you losing a little self-esteem and becoming embarrassed, further causing problems with your erections.
The key to getting this whole thing straightened out (see what we did there?) is early diagnosis. In moderate cases, the treatment will be minimally invasive, likely something like Xiaflex. This involves a number of injections, containing collagenase enzymes, delivered over a six-month period. What this will do is work to break down the scar tissue. With more serious cases of Peyronie’s disease, surgery may be required. Now, as much as this may sound scary, it’s likely to successfully reduce pain and deformity.
Gum disease
We know what you’re thinking… how on earth can poor oral hygiene be related to erectile dysfunction? However, there is a connection that may create a problem for you and your junk. Some studies have indicated that there is a link between ED and periodontitis, which is a severe form of gum disease.
According to scientists, there is a particular bacteria in the mouth that can be linked to erectile dysfunction. It’s able to produce toxins that have the ability to cause some local but also full-body inflammation. The problem is that chronic inflammation can damage blood vessels and therefore affect erectile blood flow. This could also impair the release of nitric oxide which is the chemical your body release to get the party started.
So, if you find that your gums are a little sensitive or there is blood when you brush, get yourself to the dentist to be checked out. We know one thing they’re going to say, you need to floss… so just do it. Gum disease is also linked with other health problems such as heart attacks and diabetes.
Sleep apnea
If you find that you’re nodding off during the day and struggling to sleep at night, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is a serious disorder that causes you to stop breathing for between 10 to 30 seconds intervals. Not only does that sound terrifying, but it can also cause ED in the process.
OSA leads to poor peripheral vascular circulation and people with the condition are more susceptible to heart, and strokes and more like to suffer from erectile dysfunction too. Sleep apnea lowers testosterone and limits blood oxygen, the two main things we guys need for healthy erections. When you combine this with all the other side effects you can experience with a lack of sleep, such as fatigue, stress, etc, it’s no wonder you’re not able to stand attention.
Further research is needed to determine a definite connection between sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. However, some studies have shown only slightly high risk for people with sleep apnea experiencing ED than those without OSA.
However, don’t let this stop you from reaching out for some support to treat your ED. This study revealed that those who suffer from severe OSA and slept with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, noticed an improvement in erectile function. If you don’t find it too uncomfortable, there are also mouthpieces you can wear temporarily that will help reposition your jaw and tongue, allowing for better airflow whilst you sleep.
If a cure for OSA is not what you’re after, then try and focus on not developing it. Getting regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and maintaining your weight are all ways to help prevent developing the condition. Low levels of activity and obesity are both associated with sleep apnea.
Diabetes
Studies have found that type 2 diabetes is another condition that may cause you to suffer from ED. This particular study discovered that men with metabolic disorders seemed to develop symptoms of erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than those without diabetes.
When it comes to diabetes, those who suffer from it will experience elevated blood sugar levels. Overtime, this will weaken and eventually destroy nerve endings. This can also lead to calcifications and plaque deposits which can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the penis.
However, despite us saying this, having diabetes doesn’t mean that you’ll end up with erectile dysfunction too. Learning to manage your condition is the most important thing you can do to prevent nerve and blood vessel damage from occurring. We would always stress going to visit your doctor early to minimize further risk. If you’re a little overweight or not eating particularly well, there is an opportunity to make changes to your lifestyle for the better.
Depression
The effects of erectile dysfunction can be enough to put a downer on anyone’s mood. However, it can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This is something that works both ways too. According to studies, those who suffer from depression are 39% more likely to develop ED.
Your nervous system is what triggers erections, so if your system is depressed or distracted, it’s not going to happen. In actual fact, when you’re suffering from depression, you release a chemical that basically makes your erection disappear. As well as losing interest in sex, you may end up trying to suppress your depression with alcohol or other drugs. However, this is also counterproductive as these depressants can increase your odds of ED even more.
If you‘re sitting there thinking this sounds like you, then work on finding the source of your depression. Perhaps talk things out with your partner or maybe see a mental health professional to see how they can help.
Whilst some medications can cause erectile dysfunction, you can work with your doctor to find a solution to minimize side effects. Possible answers could be that you are prescribed a drug in a different class or a lower dose.
The bottom line
If you are experiencing troubles in the junk department, seeking help from your doctor means they can get to the root cause and help with treatment.
We know, it is a difficult subject to talk about, however, what you need to bear in mind is:
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- They’re doctors who are there to help and have heard everything before
- The symptoms you’re having could be a sign of something else
- Problems like these can affect more than just your sexual health, but your mental and physical health too
Get back to it
Issues with your junk can put a lot of stress on you and your relationship, affecting your mood, stress levels, and everyday life.
Instead, let Viasil help you get back in the sack.
Our 100% safe and natural formula is not only fast acting with no side effects, but we can guarantee that you’ll experience:
- Enhanced energy levels and stamina
- Strong, long-lasting erections
- Boosted sex drive
- Increased confidence
Let ED be a thing of the past
