Try These 8 Non Medical Ways to Overcome Erectile Dysfunction

Having Erectile Dysfunction isn’t on anyone’s wish list, but it is extremely common for penis-owners to experience as they age. ED is the inability to get and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse or sexual activity.

Sometimes, ED is caused by something as simple as taking a particular medication, but other times the cause is more complex. Regardless of the cause, ED is pretty common, with more than half of men — about 52% — experiencing it at some point in their lives. 

But dealing with ED doesn’t mean that your sex life is over. There are many things that can help you overcome ED, both medically and non-medically. For medical help, please consult your physician. 

Here are some non-medical ways to overcome ED: 

Start Walking Or Exercising 

One non-medical option that has been shown to reduce risk or symptoms of ED is maintaining a regular exercise regiment. It doesn’t have to be overly strenuous —- a Harvard study found that 30 minutes of walking per day was linked with a 41% reduction in risk for ED. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is key to overcoming many medical issues. One recent study found that men who followed a Mediterranean diet showed a lower risk for ED. A Mediterranean diet focuses on eating vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fish while avoiding red and processed meats.

Do Pelvic Floor Exercises 

A strong pelvic floor is important for men and women. Having a strong pelvic floor helps the penis stay hard and helps keep blood from leaving the penis by pressing on an important vein. You can build a strong pelvic floor by practicing Kegel exercises. 

The easiest way to identify the pelvic floor muscles involved in Kegels is to stop urinating midstream. The muscles you use to do this are your pelvic floor muscles. Now that you know which muscles are your pelvic floor muscles, you can do Kegels by tightening and holding your pelvic floor muscles for five seconds. Repeat this exercise throughout the day. You can perform the exercises anywhere at any time. 

Prioritize Sleep 

Similar to diet and exercise, sleep is critical to proper body function. This means that sleep is something that can help reduce symptoms of ED, too. Several studies have found that men with irregular sleep patterns or unhealthy sleep hygiene experienced more ED symptoms. Others have shown that lack of sleep reduces testosterone, which can contribute to ED, as well. 

Reduce Stress

Stress is a huge boner-killer —- literally! Stress is something that none of us can avoid, but it is something that we can learn to manage. Be sure to incorporate regular self-care into your routine. Some of the other things on this list, like prioritizing sleep and exercising more often, are likely to help you reduce stress, too! 

Cut Out Tobacco and Alcohol

Smoking and drinking have both been linked to ED, but stopping smoking and drinking can improve ED. Smoking disrupts blood vessels, so it can make it more difficult for you to get an erection. And when you drink alcohol, your body becomes dehydrated. As a result, you have a lowered blood volume. This makes it harder for blood to circulate and can lead to erectile issues. When struggling with ED, cutting both alcohol and tobacco out of your life is a good choice! 

Talk To Your Partner About It

Talking to your partner about your ED is a great way to help you overcome the anxiety you may have about it. ED tends to cause shame, and talking about your shame is the best way to overcome it. ED is often amplified by anxiety, so try to reduce anxiety by being honest with your partner. 

Try a Penis Pump

A penis pump is a type of sex toy that uses air or water to encourage a long, strong erection. They have been found to help penis owners get or keep an erection periodically, or, with regular use, can even help to open blood vessels so getting and maintaining an erection on your own is easier.