There are certain medical conditions that put anyone in quite a tough spot, and then there are certain problems that are gender specific, like sexual problems. Such issues become difficult to be dealt with, not because of their complexities, but because of the internal conflict that keeps going inside a patient’s mind.
Sexual problems like erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, premature ejaculation (PE), lack of sexual drive, etc.; are certain medical conditions that become extremely stressful for men. For some men, it becomes extremely embarrassing and difficult to even accept the condition that they are in, due to the social taboos; which makes it equally difficult for them to avail the right kind of treatment at the right time.
To everyone’s relief, there are several remedies for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation available for men to pick from, after a thorough diagnosis by an authorized medical practitioner. There are several pharmaceutical treatments, natural treatments, and home remedies for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, and other sexual issues. Let us have a sneak peek into the popular options.
Pharmaceutical Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Pharmaceutical remedies, as the name suggests; involve pharmaceutical medications, surgical proceedings, or some other artificial means to cure sexual issues.
1. Oral Medication
Popular oral medicines include pills or pharmaceutical drugs from the category of Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE inhibitors). The most recommended salts or medications under this category happen to be:
It should be noted here that not all medications for erectile dysfunction work similarly for everyone and might be less effective in certain conditions. Hence before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, including over-the-counter supplements or even herbal remedies, one should definitely consult an authorized medical practitioner.
2. Vacuum Erection Device (VED)
Often termed as a penile pump, Vacuum Erection Device (VED), is known to manually pull blood towards the penile area using suction and create a desirable erection; post which a tension ring is slipped to the base of the penis, that helps in maintaining the erection for about 30 minutes.
3. Testosterone Hormone Replacement
Some people might have ED issues due to lower levels of the testosterone hormone. In such cases, testosterone replacement therapy might be recommended as the first line of treatment or given in combination with other therapies.
4. Intraurethral Therapy or Muse
Alprostadil (Muse) intraurethral therapy is a good option. Intraurethral therapy involves a small dissolvable pellet that can be inserted directly into the urethra, the opening of the penis, that will trigger an erection in about 10 minutes that may last as long as an hour. However, this might not be devoid of side effects like excruciating pain, burning, redness, and minor bleeding, and hence calls for prior doctor consultation.
5. Penile Injections
Penile injections involve a medicine that improves penile blood flow much better than oral alternatives. The medicine is self-injected at the base of the penis using a very small needle.
6. Penile Implants
Penile implants help those patients who are having some neurological disorder or spinal cord injury or other erectile dysfunction treatments that are not effective enough. A penile implant enables one to control exactly when and how long an erection lasts reliably.
Natural Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Natural treatment for erectile dysfunction refers to the ways of preventing or treating the disease symptoms without the help of pharmaceutical drugs or surgeries or even artificial devices.
7. Natural Supplement
There are many natural and herbal supplements that are known to bring improvement in men having symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Some of the popular natural supplement ingredients are as follows:
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- Yohimbine
- Horny Goat Weed or Epimedium grandiflorum
- Rhodiola Rosea or Golden Root
- Tribulus Terrestris
- Saw palmetto
It should be noted here that none of them is approved by the US FDA, as apt medications for preventing, treating, or improving erectile dysfunction in men.
8. Healthy Diet
As per the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, a healthy diet that is rich in natural foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, with fewer red and processed meat and refined grains, is likely to lower the possibility of erectile dysfunction.
9. Right Body Weight
An overweight man is 50% more likely to have ED problems than one who is maintaining the right body weight. Obesity raises the risks for vascular disease and diabetes, which also happen to be two of the major causes of ED. Also, excess fat interferes with several hormones that may be part of the problem as well. Hence a healthy or right weight is a good way of avoiding or addressing ED issues.
10. Daily Exercise
A strong pelvic floor enhances rigidity during erections and helps keep blood from leaving the penis by pressing on a key vein. In a British trial for three months of twice-daily sets of Kegel exercises, combined with biofeedback and advice on lifestyle changes worked far better in strengthening the concerned muscles; than incorporating just the lifestyle changes.
11. Regular Adequate Sleeping Hours
Poor sleep patterns can be a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction. Hormone secretion is controlled by the body’s internal clock, and sleep patterns likely help the body determine when to release certain hormones. Adhering to a set sleep schedule is a natural erectile dysfunction remedy, and can help ensure that those signals are clear and consistent.
12. No Smoking
For a lot of men, quitting the frequent smoking habit worked against the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, particularly when it is due to vascular disease, which occurs when blood supply to the penis becomes restricted because of blockage or narrowing of the arteries. Smoking and even smokeless tobacco are capable of narrowing important blood vessels and have the same amount of adverse effects.
13. Zero Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a toxic and psychoactive substance that can cause both temporary and long-term erectile dysfunction. The central nervous system or CNS is responsible for releasing nitric oxide, an essential chemical for producing and maintaining a proper penile erection. However, heavy alcohol consumption slows down the central nervous system, causing insufficient production of nitric oxide which translates into erectile dysfunction.
Home Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
14. Yoga poses for ED symptoms
Yoga postures, involving deep breathing and lower body stretching, can bring considerable improvement in erectile dysfunction. It also helps in suppressing stress and anxiety that contribute to the worsening of such a condition.
15. Aerobic Exercise for overall fitness
Any traditional or cardiac exercise can be of much help here too. As it is sexual arousal requires good blood flow, and aerobic exercises are of great help. They take care of one’s cardiovascular health, correct body weight, and eventually offer overall fitness.
16. Kegel Exercises or Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercises
Not just women, Kegels can benefit men as well. Regular sessions of Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor and can improve ED as well as sexual performance. The typical regimen is to tighten the muscles at the bottom of the pelvic area, is to hold for three seconds, and then release; which needs to be ideally repeated 10-15 times, three times a day for tip-top sexual fitness.
17. Sensate Focus Exercises
When the symptoms of erectile dysfunction are due to some psychological reasons, it is often seen that men respond better to techniques that involve experiences centred around sensation rather than performance. Hence the need for sensate focus exercises which are great for reducing anxiety.
18. Foods for sexual wellness
There are many food items as mentioned below, that are known to help men with symptoms of erectile dysfunction; although some of them might have considerably less effect while a few of them may even have a few side effects too:
- Ginseng is one of the best natural options when it comes to treating symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
- Fenugreek is known for its anti-inflammatory and libido-boosting properties and is of great help in incurring ED symptoms.
- Pistachio nuts lower the risk of heart disorders and also lower blood pressure. Since these two are among the major causes related to erectile dysfunction.
- Dark chocolates are a rich source of flavanols, that help in increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure. It also increases the production of nitric oxide which enables a man to achieve successful erections.
- Oat is an aphrodisiac and an excellent food choice when it comes to dealing with reproductive health issues.
- Tomatoes boost one’s penile health as they contain lycopene which is beneficial in increasing fertility and hence lowering the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It works great on a lowered sperm count.
- Avocados are enriched with healthy fats, vitamins, and potassium that help in boosting one’s libido. They also contain zinc and vitamin E that increases testosterone levels and improves sperm quality.
- Pomegranate juice is known for being loaded with nutrients. It can also help arteries expand and remain supple, although no real proof establishes its connection to erectile dysfunction.
- Drumstick has certain aphrodisiac properties that are effective for treating problems like premature ejaculation and thin semen problem.
- Watermelon is natural Viagra; it has citrulline content that helps to relax blood vessels and promote the flow of blood to the penis.
- Garlic and onions are also of good help in improving penile health.
It should be noted here that none of them is approved by the US FDA, as apt medications for preventing, treating, or improving erectile dysfunction in men.
19. No Alcohol
Alcohol can slow down the central nervous system and even one’s sexual reflexes. The higher the alcohol consumption, the lesser will be one’s interest or drive to feel, respond and perform at the best. Further, heavy alcohol consumption, over time, can damage the liver which leads to increased estrogen production in men.
20. No Smoking
Smoking is bad for one’s heart health and contributes to vascular disease, ultimately affecting blood flow to important areas like the genitals. To get maximum blood flow in all the right places, one needs to quit smoking tobacco at any cost, no matter how luxurious the brand is.
21. Jelqing Exercises
Jelqing is a penis stretching exercise. It is a solo stretching exercise for penis enlargement, and blood flow, and perhaps even a way to improve a man’s sexual experience overall. It involves a way of massaging tissues of a semi-erect penis and stretching the skin, so as to create ‘micro-tears’ that make the penis look engorged; post they heal. In simplest terms it supposedly makes your penis look longer or thicker.
22. Take help from a partner
One of the best tips for dealing with the symptoms of erectile dysfunction is to talk the heart out to the partner. An honest and candid conversation with one’s partner can relieve much anxiety and create a conducive condition to try out various treatments.
Speak Up for Your Problems
No one can help you unless you help yourself. So, no point in fearing what others would think of you. Just gather all the courage and get the right diagnosis. Seek help from friends and family or whomever you trust. Most importantly, communicate with your partner, half the battle would be won there itself.