Keep Your Erectile Dysfunction Risk Low With These 5 Tips

It's something most men want to avoid. It's something most men can avoid if they follow some fairly simple lifestyle habits. Even so, not all men will do what needs to be done. The it in this case is erectile dysfunction.

ED is one of the most common sexual problems men face, affecting about 22 percent of men by the age of 40 and 49 percent of men by the age of 70 (though the numbers vary by study). However, men of all ages can suffer from ED for a variety of reasons, including both physical and psychological.

But men shouldn’t accept ED as an inevitability. With a few tips and some lifestyle changes, you can lower your risk of ED and stay that stallion in the sack that you were in your youth. Here’s how to do it.

1. Put down the cheeseburger (and the fried chicken)

No one's questioning just how delicious cheeseburgers and fried chicken are. But these foods also reduce blood flow and circulation. As a general rule, just remember that anything bad for your heart is also going to be bad for your package. Switch out the fried and processed foods for healthier options such as fruits, vegetables and other fresh items to stave off erectile dysfunction.

Think about this: When was the last time you ate a bucket of fried chicken and wanted to get frisky? Probably never. Processed and fried foods also reduce your appetite for a romp in the sack. So if you’re planning to sit on the couch and watch football all day, it’s not a huge deal. But if your spouse’s birthday is today, consume a salad.

Giddy clinical nutritionist Lahana Vigliano explains what simple substitutions you can make to improve ED symptoms. Click here to watch the video.

2. Boost your nitric oxide levels

Nitric oxide is a molecule created naturally in your body that allows your muscles to relax. Without enough of this compound in your body, your penis can’t relax enough to let blood flow in, which consequently results in ED.

Therefore, you need at least a baseline amount of nitric oxide to ensure you can achieve an erection. The good news is you can get nitric oxide naturally. Antioxidants, vegetables rich in nitrates and regular exercise can all help boost your body’s production of nitric oxide. And just for good measure, you can always add nitric oxide supplements such as arginine and citrulline to your daily routine to increase your nitric oxide levels. (Talk to your doctor, though, because supplements are unregulated and often don't do what is claimed.)

3. Like it rough? Just don’t make it too rough

Some people like it rough. It’s a fact of life. So if that includes you or your partner, partake in plenty of consensual play—just try not to get too rough.

One of the most common causes of penile injuries is action during rough sex sessions. Play that is too vigorous can cause the penis to fall out of the vagina or anus and the person’s weight to come crashing down on top of your tender member. When this happens, your penis "fractures." It can’t by definition fracture—it doesn’t contain a bone—but major damage can be done to your tunica albuginea, the fibrous tissue in your penis that prevents blood from exiting by restricting the blood flow in blood vessels. When it’s damaged, during rough sex or otherwise, you can no longer keep blood in the penis, which leads to erectile dysfunction.

So even if you like a bit of the rough stuff, choose a position that doesn’t put you at risk for a fracture. You can thank yourself later.

4. Cut the stress

Stress is one of the leading causes of ED, as it causes the body to produce more adrenaline, which can restrict blood flow to your penis. Sure, you can feel stressed out at various times, but don’t let it become your de facto state of being.

Practice yoga, meditate or even take a relaxing walk after work; all of these activities should help ease your stress and anxiety, effectively letting your penis do its thing when summoned.

5. Kick the porn habit

Kicking the porn habit may not directly lower your risk for ED, but it can certainly keep your desire up. If you’re consistently masturbating to porn only to find that your fella doesn’t want to get erect when it’s time to go, you could be overdoing it solo, or you may have developed somewhat of a porn addiction.

To limit the impact, try to reduce your porn intake. If you’re feeling horny, go see if your partner is up for a bit of fun. It’s more healthy, and you’ll be glad you did it compared to a bottle of lotion and a bit of male curiosity.

When all else fails, ask for help

If you’ve tried some or all of these risk-lowering options to no avail, don’t give up. Maybe you need a medical answer. Talk to your doctor about treatment options and keep an open, honest conversation with your partner. With a bit of support and trying out different options, you can lower your risk for ED and keep your love life (and your partner) stimulated.