Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED, affects about 30 million men in the U.S. The National Institute of Health states that 50% of men who are over 75 years of age experience ED. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, this can cause you to experience shame and frustration. However, ED is very common and there are natural treatment alternatives available to help you with your condition.
READ: Erectile Dysfunction, Diabetes & Black Men
Erectile dysfunction happens when a man cannot attain or maintain an erection during sex. Some of the common contributors to ED include being stressed, being fatigued, having anxiety related to sexual performance, relationship issues, and alcohol consumption.
There are also medical conditions which can trigger ED. They include multiple sclerosis, smoking, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and having an enlarged prostate gland. Lifestyle can be an ED factor as well. High alcohol use is a contributing factor. Seventy-two percent individuals with a high dependence on alcohol were diagnosed with having sexual dysfunction. High alcohol use is also linked to premature ejaculation.
Beyond medication, there are natural solutions – backed by science – you can try if you are suffering from ED.
Acupuncture is a technique which involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles. In doing so, it helps to boost your body’s natural painkillers, increase blood flow, and stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. The practice is commonly used to treat pain, but acupuncture can also treat various physical, mental and emotional conditions – including ED. The studies are mixed on acupuncture, but according to a 1999 study conducted with a group of participants with ED, 39% of them showed improvement.
DHEA is a natural hormone which your adrenal glands normally produce. It can be changed to testosterone or estrogen in your body. The dietary supplement of DHEA is mixed with wild yam and soy. There was a study conducted in Massachusetts with aging males and it showed that…
…one contributor to ED was the males in the study having low levels of DHEA. When men in the study received DHEA for six months, it helped them to better achieve and maintain an erection.
READ: 4 Smoothies To Jumpstart Your Libido
L-arginine is an amino acid, already present in our bodies, that helps our bodies to make nitric acid. This is how this amino acid works in your body. The nitric oxide provides a relaxing effect on the blood vessels which helps with an erection. In a study which focused on the effects on L-Arginine, when men took about 5 grams of L-Arginine each day, their sexual function improved considerably.
Researchers found in seven studies in 2008 that the herbal supplement, Panax ginseng was effective in treating ED. When Panax ginseng was dosed in a range of 600 to 1,000 mg 3 times daily, this herbal supplement helped with treating ED. In another study with Rhodiola rosea, when 26 out of 35 men were given 150 mg to 200 mg a day for three months, their sexual function improved.
While there have been some studies showing that these natural alternatives can achieve some benefits if you are suffering from ED, it is important to see your physician. Since ED can signal other health related conditions, you want to make sure you are addressing those issues as well.
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