Erectile dysfunction is a physical or psychological condition that occurs when a man is unable to hold an erection. This condition, while more common in older men can affect younger men! Though many men find erectile dysfunction to be embarrassing, it’s more common than they might think. There are lots of homemade or natural remedies you can rely on to treat ED without having to buy a pill at the store.
Causes of ED
ED can be caused by a wide variety of symptoms. In general, it’s caused by lower than average testosterone or cardiovascular difficulties.
Lower than average testosterone affects many men over the age of 40 as their bodies naturally produce less of this key sex hormone as they get older. As a result, they may experience a variety of other symptoms and side effects in addition to ED, including:
- A low sex drive
- A decrease in energy or vigor
- Decreased cognitive ability
- Loss of hair
However, ED can also be caused by cardiovascular issues due to ancillary conditions or issues like obesity, pre-existing heart conditions, a poor diet, and more. An erection requires a significant amount of blood to stay active, so men whose hearts or cardiovascular symptoms can’t keep up may experience ED from time to time.
Other men may experience erectile dysfunction because of hormonal imbalances. For example, if their bodies suddenly produce more estrogen, their natural testosterone production may decrease as a result.
ED Symptoms
The symptoms of ED are short and simple: they primarily include difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. For some men, ED is also accompanied by reduced sexual desire, though this may be a side effect because of the primary symptoms.
Ways to Remedy ED Naturally
It’s often a good idea to look for natural ED remedies if possible. Over-the-counter medications like Viagra are advertised as effective, but they often lead to side effects like cardiovascular complications or directions that last for too long rather than not long enough.
With this in mind, let’s break down some of the best ways to remedy ED naturally.
Boost Your Testosterone
The first and most important thing to do is boost your testosterone. But you don’t have to rely on synthetic (and potentially harmful) hormone injections to do this. You can raise your testosterone through several natural methods.
Get More Vitamin D
For starters, get a little more vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin, which is a necessary precursor for testosterone. Lots of people are vitamin D deficient to at least a minor degree, especially in the winter when they don’t go outside as often.
But your body needs vitamin D to make enough testosterone. If your testosterone levels are dipping, it may be because you don’t get enough vitamin D. Take a supplement or spend some more time in the sun and see if that helps!
Daily HIIT Exercise
It’s well-known that men who exercise have higher testosterone than men who don’t. For the best results, practice daily high-intensity interval or HIIT exercises.
These exercise techniques, which involve major cardiovascular effort and weightlifting, will not only help you look better and feel better but, may also help your body produce more testosterone to grow those extra muscles.
Plus, you’ll boost your cardiovascular health at the same time, minimizing the likelihood of ED developing in the future.
Avoid Meats Containing Hormones and Plastics
You should similarly avoid any meat products like beef or chicken that contain unnecessary hormones and plastics, especially estrogen.
Try to focus on organic and grass-fed beef and chicken while bulking up. Eating meat with extra hormones can upset the balance in your body and lead to lower testosterone production.
Get Healthy Supplements and Foods
Aside from improving your testosterone levels, you can also potentially treat ED by prioritizing certain healthy foods and supplements. Here are a few examples.
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV or apple cider vinegar is a special condiment fermented from apples. While this healthy superfood is used in a variety of healthcare regimens and to remedy a lot of issues, it may also be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.
How? It doesn’t treat ED directly, but it may provide extra cardiovascular or heart health benefits that then have an effect on erectile dysfunction.
For example, apple cider vinegar can lower cholesterol and can help men control their weight. Furthermore, it can be easily added to a variety of foods, like salads, to give them additional flavor and assist with sticking with a healthy nutrition plan.
In this way, ACV may be able to help with ED by making you healthier overall.
DIM
DIM or diindolylmethane is a compound your body naturally creates whenever you digest certain cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli. Why does this help with ED in some men?
In short, it’s because DIM can affect the estrogen levels in your body. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone (although both men and women have both estrogen and testosterone in their bodies naturally). For men, DIM may be able to help balance estrogen levels in your body, reducing this hormone’s effects.
Erectile Dysfunction could be caused by a hormonal imbalance. In this case, DIM could be very helpful when consumed as a supplement. However, it may be a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider before adjusting your hormones this way, as hormone shifts can also lead to other issues.
Maca Root
Maca root is a well-known aphrodisiac. This herb has been used in a variety of cultures for its “medicinal” properties. Therefore, you might look into using Maca root in tea or as an herbal rub for its aphrodisiac effects.
However, keep in mind that the results from clinical trials and studies focusing on Maca root are inconclusive at best. It seems to work for some men and be less effective for others.
Other Possible Causes of ED
Although some things are out of our control, there are lifestyle changes you can make to combat the effect of impotence. Some conditions and habits that restrict blood flow to the veins and arteries are:
- Smoking
- Alcohol Consumption
- Metabolic problems
- Prescription medications for mood disorders
- Spinal cord injury
- Clogged blood vessels
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal Disorders
- Premature ejaculation
Summary
In the end, there are lots of potential solutions for erectile dysfunction, just as there are many different causes. It’s up to you to experiment with these natural remedies and figure out which best helps with your unique addition.
Want to learn more about the topics discussed in this guide or check out supplements that may help with your ED symptoms? Dive into Dr. Livingood’s online site now, and check out our supplement shop for more information!
Sources
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment | Urology Health
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men | NCBI
Effect of Exercise on Serum Sex Hormones in Men: A 12-Month Randomized Clinical Trial | NCBI
Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review | NCBI
