There are many medications available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). A number of these treatments, however, have undesirable side effects and have not been sufficiently tested as to their long-term health effects. There are many natural remedies for ED that do not pose the same health risks and side effects as medication. These treatments are often less expensive, and in addition, can help to increase your overall health.

1. Health Lifestyle Choices

One effective way to decrease the likelihood of Ed is to make healthier lifestyle choices. Eating a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and limiting carbohydrate intake, will keep your body functioning at its best. When too much fat accumulates in the body, it increases the pressure on blood vessels and arteries, slowing circulation and contributing to poor health. Making sure to eat a nutritious diet, getting plenty of sleep and exercise, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day, will all work wonders for your health, and your sex life.

2. Stress Reduction

Elevated levels of stress can adversely effect the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), creating a greater potential for ED. There are two components to the functioning of the ANS, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. Both of these systems work in tandem to regulate the state of arousal necessary to achieve an erection. High levels of stress disrupt the balance of hormones that keep a man sexually aroused, yet relaxed enough to perform. It’s important to develop daily practices that can help to release tension and anxiety. Exercise, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises all contribute to lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and relaxing the body. Try to create a daily or weekly schedule of stress reducing activities to make sure that you stick to your routine of self-care, reducing the chances for ED.

3. Limit Alcohol Consumption

While moderate alcohol consumption may relieve anxiety, and potentially increase sexual desire, it actually decreases the likelihood of physical arousal. Alcohol acts as a depressant in the central nervous system, slowing down blood flow and inhibiting sexual arousal. Chronic and heavy use of alcohol has been linked to long-term ED, with studies showing that men who are alcohol dependent have a 60-70% of experiencing the loss of sexual desire, premature ejaculation, or ED. It’s best to drink in moderation, limiting yourself to no more than one or two drinks per hour. Consuming more than that puts undue strain on the liver, leading to toxicity in the body, and a greater chance of experiencing ED.

4. Stop Smoking

Over the last few decades a substantial amount of research has been collected regarding the negative effects of smoking cigarettes, supporting the link between smoking and numerous health conditions, including ED. Smoking can cause a build-up of plaque in the arteries, which slows blood flow, decreasing the likelihood of physical arousal. A 2001 study from professor Jiang He, Phd, of the Tulane University School of Public Health, found that men who smoked had a significantly higher risk of experiencing ED. The study showed that compared to non-smokers, men smoking at least 20 cigarettes a day were 60% less likely to become physically aroused. Add ED to the list of negative health effects from smoking, and it’s just one more reason to quit this unhealthy habit.

5. L-Arganine

L-Arganine is an amino acid that helps to relax the muscles that surround blood vessels, allowing for greater blood flow, increasing the potential for sexual arousal. You can increase your L-Arganine intake by eating foods that are naturally high in this amino acid, such as red meat, dairy, and poultry. You can also find this supplement at your local health food store. L-Arganine may cause minor indigestion, and is not recommended for people suffering from ulcers.

6. Panax Ginseng

Ginseng has been used for thousands of years in Chinese Medicine to increase sexual performance, as well as endurance, memory, and immune functioning. Panax ginseng, or Korean ginseng (not to be confused with American ginseng), helps to dilate blood vessels, and increase the flow of blood in the body. An added benefit of ginseng is that it is considered to be an adaptogen, aiding the body in handling elevated levels of stress. Caution should be used when taking ginseng, as there is the potential for certain drug interactions and unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches.
Though medications may provide a quick fix for erectile dysfunction, they could be covering over deeper imbalances responsible for causing ED. By making these healthy lifestyle changes, and introducing natural supplements, you will not only see an increase in your sexual performance, but your quality of life as well.