Category: Erectile Dysfunction

It is estimated that 30 million men in the United States are affected by ED. Your chance of developing it increases as you get older and if you take certain drugs like antidepressants and blood pressure drugs. Type 2 diabetes and heart disease can also contribute to erectile issues. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the main cause of ED is poor vascular function.

With all these strikes against you, it might be wise to consider the role of diet and exercise in overcoming ED.

Can Exercise Improve Erectile Dysfunction?

You may be surprised that moving can help you enjoy sex more. Experts suggest some daily exercise is key. It doesn’t have to be strenuous, but get into some walking, biking, swimming, yoga, and Kegel exercises. According to a Harvard study, walking for just 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of ED by 41%.

The more you move, you reap other benefits which can help with erectile dysfunction issues. Primarily, if you consistently do some moderate exercise, you should lose weight. Reducing your waistline is beneficial. In fact, a man with a 42 inch waistline is 50% more likely to have ED versus a man with a 32 inch waistline.

In addition, obesity raises the risk for diabetes and vascular disease, two major causes of ED.

Can Diet and Lifestyle Improve Erectile Dysfunction?

You may never have thought that what you eat can affect ED. Think again. Processed and fatty foods interfere with circulation which definitely affects your ability to get and keep an erection.

Eating fatty foods also increases estrogen while reducing testosterone. Talk with Dr. Farjaad Siddiq about your levels of estrogen and testosterone.

What Foods to Incorporate in Your Diet

Eating real and natural foods can be helpful. What do we mean? Stick more with the Mediterranean diet.

• Eliminate sugar and trans fats
• Choose healthy fats like olive oil and fatty fish like salmon
• Include beans and nuts, legumes, and veggies of all colors
• Low glycemic fruits like berries
• Pastured meats and poultry
• Less red and processed meats

Additional Lifestyle Changes

• Reduce alcohol intake and stop smoking (if you do). However, you can drink moderate amounts of red wine and sneak some dark chocolate into your diet.
• Of course, there are many other causes of ED like anxiety and stress, so do whatever you can to control and reduce these emotional issues.

Erectile Dysfunction Specialist in Lake Charles, LA

If you are having issues maintaining an erection, getting erections sporadically, or not able to get them at all, contact Dr. Farjaad Siddiq at (337) 480-7499. During a discreet appointment, you’ll receive a review of your diet, lifestyle, and exercise habits, along with helpful treatments that can make a difference.

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. With regard to sexual health, erectile dysfunction is the most reported problem by men to their doctor. It is estimated that as many as 100 million men worldwide have ED, however as many as 85% do not report it. Many men believe aging is the only cause, but that’s not exactly true. In most cases, men are prescribed the “little blue pill,” but what are treatment options for erectile dysfunction when pills don’t work?

Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction

If you are wondering about ED, see an experienced urologist who diagnoses and treats ED like Dr. Siddiq.

One test is a Penile Doppler Ultrasound which will diagnose the root cause of erectile dysfunction: blood flow in the penis. This is done accompanied by a physical exam, urine and blood tests, and maybe an overnight test.

Once other medical issues are eliminated, Dr. Siddiq can make a definitive diagnosis.

Pill Problems

Sometimes the pills for ED don’t work. In addition, certain men cannot take this prescription due to side effects and other health issues including: severe heart disease or heart failure, low blood pressure, and those who take nitrate meds for chest pains. There must be some other alternatives.

You can try lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, exercise, pelvic floor exercises, stress management, and diet.

If you are among the men who do not respond to pills for ED, cannot take them due to other health problems, and if lifestyle changes don’t help, there are other options.

What Are Treatment Options For ED Aside From Medication?

Medical science and technology always have an answer. If you have ED, maybe one or more of these alternatives will help.

• Vacuum Erection Device (VED): Sometimes known as a penile pump. Using suction it manually pulls blood into the penis. A tension ring is slipped onto the base of the penis to maintain the erection. Side effects include some restriction of the ejaculation, a cold penis to the touch, and mild bruising.
• Drug Pellets: Inserted into the tip of the penis like suppositories. They take about 10 minutes to work and can last 30 to 60 minutes. Side effects include a burning sensation and minor bleeding from the penis.
• Penile Injections: These meds improve blood flow even better than pills. Side effects can include some bleeding and minor pain at the site of the injection, longer erections than desired, and scar tissue within the penis.
• Penile Implants: A 30 to 45 minute procedure places a device inside the penis which you control. You then have the ability to create erections and decide how long they last. This option has high satisfaction results.
• Shock Wave Therapy: High frequency, low intensity shock waves directed at the penis increase blood flow by eliminating plaque in existing vessels and stimulate new vessel growth. It is painless, and after a series of treatments, effects can last up to 3 years with minimal maintenance.

Erectile Dysfunction Specialist in Lake Charles, LA

Contact Dr. Farjaad Siddiq at (337) 480-7499 if you would like to discuss any of these treatment options for erectile dysfunction and find out if they could be right for you.

An occasional problem with sexual performance is nothing to be overly concerned about. However, if it persists and becomes more frequent, there might be something physical going on. If it occurs more repeatedly during the summer months, heat can be the culprit. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and summer heat: what you should know. Continue reading “Erectile Dysfunction (ED) And Summer Heat: What You Should Know” →