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When it comes to making love, one of the biggest inconveniences a man can face is an inability to maintain an erection.
It’s not that you’re disinterested in sex; it’s just that, for some physical or physiological reason, you just can’t get it up.
To combat this, most men pop an ED pill for a quick fix (such as Viagra or Levitra). But if you’ve had a bad history with the pills, have no access to a prescription, or are simply looking for alternatives, there are many solutions to help keep the flame alive in the bedroom.
Interested to learn more about how to stay hard and combat erectile dysfunction?
Here are some ways you can treat erectile dysfunction, aside from taking pills.
Why Is It Hard to Get an Erection?
If you’re looking for a scientific explanation for this, the most probable cause of sexual dysfunction or erectile dysfunction (ED) is the restricted blood flow in the penis.
Prior to achieving an erection, the chambers within the penis fill up with blood, allowing it to become rigid and capable of penetrative intercourse.
Achieving this boner is a natural and instinctual process that our bodies are naturally accustomed to. But, for some people, it won’t always be like this throughout their lifetime.
More often than not, erectile dysfunction affects men in their later years, though there are some occurrences where they happen to younger adults as well.
It’s not an uncommon condition, either. According to the National Institutes of Health, over 30 million men have limited erectile function in the United States alone.
ED medication temporarily suspends muscles in the penis from restricting blood flow. To do this, these medications signal the body to release a chemical called nitric oxide—which helps improve the rate of blood flow to the penis, which then makes you feel more aroused.
While it’s a popular treatment for many men, it’s less than ideal. There’s a long list of significant side effects that you can have from taking these prescription pills, ranging from mild to moderate. These include:
- Headaches
- Upset stomachs
- Dizziness
- Rashes
In addition, some ED medications can interfere with existing medical treatments like anti-depressants.
If you suspect that you have erectile dysfunction, improve your sex life by contacting a doctor today to evaluate your erectile dysfunction.
3 Ways to Have Better, Longer-Lasting Erections Without Pills
Here are three ways you can improve sexual function and stay hard without medication or pills.
1. Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy, also known as acoustic wave therapy, is an effective method to combat erectile dysfunction, by using non-invasive and painless blasts of energy waves to restore and revitalize blood vessels in the penis.
This form of therapy is a novel means of curing erectile dysfunction in the long term. The studies for this form of therapy had promising results, many of which indicate that patients with impaired sexual function can achievesignificant improvements in their performance from this form of treatment.
2. Eating An ED-Friendly Diet
The foods you consume can have a huge effect on how you feel in the bedroom.
Fruits and vegetables, in particular, are great for erections and better testosterone levels.
Watermelons, bitter gourds, and cucumbers, in particular, are exemplary options to include in your daily diet as they’re rich in the amino acid citrulline, which helps improve both cardiovascular health and sexual health.
Citrulline is converted into arginine which increases blood flow to your penis, resulting in longer-lasting and harder erections.
In addition to the foods listed above, you can’t go wrong with trying these foods as well to improve performance in the bedroom:
- Spinach
- Orange
- Blueberries
- Salmon
- Green, Leafy veggies like Kale
- Dark Chocolate
Another rule of thumb is to avoid foods that contribute to you acquiring high blood pressure, such as sodas and fatty foods.
High blood pressure and ED often go hand-in-hand, so it’s best to watch what you eat if you want to improve your daily life.
3. Mental Health Therapy
Erectile dysfunction is a multifactorial condition, which means it can be caused by a variety of things affecting our bodies. Therefore, when dealing with erectile dysfunction, an integrated approach may be helpful.
Psychological impotence is a type of erectile dysfunction that occurs due to uncontrolled feelings of inadequacy, shame, and performance anxiety. It can grow alongside a preexisting health disease, or occur on its own.
The best way to recover from psychologically-induced ED is by talking to a mental health therapist about it.
Contact a Men’s ED Clinic for a Consultation from a Medical Specialist in St. Louis
No one claims that the road to erectile dysfunction recovery is easy.
It’ll require long hours, trips to the doctors, and unrelenting discipline, but if you’re set on reclaiming your sex life again, then all of the effort will be worth its weight in gold.
If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction, contact the medical professionals at Paramount Men’s Medical Center in St. Louis who specialize in treating conditions that impact men’s health. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as ED, PE, Low Testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
