Erectile dysfunction is a common concern among middle-aged men and is often the result of reduced blood flow to the penis either due to age or lifestyle choices that may compromise arterial health. PDE 5 inhibitors like Viagra and Cialis are specifically designed to treat these blood flow problems by relaxing the muscles in the artery walls, allowing better blood flow. Although these drugs are very effective, they can last longer and work better and more consistently when patients follow a vascular-friendly lifestyle. This article will talk about how to do just that.
With this, however, it is important to discuss two other reasons why patients may experience erectile dysfunction. There is always the question of desire. For some men, this can be the result of a regular or sporadic sexual relationship with their long-term partner, or it can come from low testosterone, known as hypogonadism. For others, traumatic injuries or prostatectomy can also cause erectile dysfunction. Medications are less effective in these cases, and patients should seek specialized care from a urologist specialist like Dr. Natale.
Restore blood flow
Ultimately, impaired blood flow results from plaque adhering to artery walls and narrowing the diameter of the blood vessel, thereby reducing blood flow. Because the arteries that supply the penis are so small, this plaque often manifests as erectile dysfunction long before it becomes, for example, coronary artery disease. As you may know, arterial plaque in the penis cannot be reversed. Instead, we have to manage what we have.
Lifestyle & Health Management
Obesity is the leading cause of arterial disease and is generally caused by a combination of poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Changing your diet for the better by eliminating or reducing saturated fat, high sugar foods, and empty carbs can pay off within weeks, let alone months or years. As your body “works” better and processes what it consumes more efficiently, the result will positively affect blood flow and ultimately erectile function.
Hydration is so important. Water is an important part of red blood cells. Even a slightly dehydrated (1-2%!) patient can have significantly thicker blood, which requires the heart to work harder. Proper hydration reduces blood viscosity, allowing blood to flow more efficiently throughout the body and can improve function.
Exercise is also critical. Like everything else in the body, the heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised to ensure peak performance. Even if you have been exercising for years or decades, it is very important to start now. If you have heart disease or other chronic conditions, talk to your healthcare professional to make sure any exercises are within your limits. That said, half an hour a day, five days a week of moderate exercise (and more if possible) can do wonders for your blood flow.
Management of hormonal changes and balance
As mentioned above, there is the possibility that a condition known as hypogonadism or low testosterone can cause a lack of desire which, in turn, manifests as erectile dysfunction. Talking to a male specialist and urologist like Dr. Natale is a great way to address both. Try to avoid unscrupulous male clinics, however, as there is a tendency to make less informed diagnoses and overprescribe testosterone to show results. Men with hypogonadism need less testosterone than they think, if at all. Visiting a specialist urologist is always best.
Deficiencies in various vitamins and nutrients can also compromise blood flow. See your primary care doctor for your annual checkup and blood test to see if you have any deficiencies. You may also want to talk to your primary care doctor about supplements, including fish oil, which can be very cardioprotective. An efficiently functioning body is a great way to make ED treatments more effective.
You may have read about nitric oxide and its effect on erectile function elsewhere on the blog. There is no specific nitric oxide supplement. However, some supplements boost the body’s production of nitric oxide and may help. This includes L-citrulline, among others.
The bottom line
Dr. Natale wants all patients to understand that erectile dysfunction doesn’t have to be something to live with or be ashamed of. The first and most critical step is to speak with a qualified and experienced male health urologist like Dr. Natale to understand the causes of erectile dysfunction and the different options for your situation.
From there, there’s a treatment for any severity or any circumstance, whether it’s medication, injections, or procedural solutions like a penile implant.
We look forward to seeing you at our office for an ED consultation and helping you address erectile function.
