Latest news with #KasparsGrinvalds
New York Post
5 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
12 natural ways to improve erectile dysfunction — including a trick you might think is only for women
Life's hard enough without things going soft under the sheets. Between 30 million and 50 million men in the US are facing erectile dysfunction (ED) — including a staggering 70% of men over 70. While little blue pills like Viagra have long been the trusted wingmen, experts say there's a whole arsenal of tools that can help you rise to the occasion without a trip to the doctor. 6 The risk of erectile dysfunction increases as you get older, but men of all ages can be affected. Kaspars Grinvalds – The Post caught up with Dr. Jason B. Carter, board-certified urologist and Medical Advisor at Aeroflow Urology, who laid out 12 ways to boost your bedroom game — including one surprising tip usually reserved for women's health circles. What exactly is ED, and what causes it? It's when men struggle to get or keep an erection firm enough for satisfying sex at least 25% of the time, according to Harvard Health Publishing. ED is common, but it's not a normal part of aging. Stress at work, relationship drama, depression, and even some medications can play a role. But for about 75% of men, the cause is more complicated. Sometimes, it can signal a deeper medical issue. 'Low testosterone can contribute to ED, fatigue and low libido,' Carter explained. 6 ED can be caused by physical or psychological issues, including hormone imbalances. Nadzeya – Mild or occasional ED can also be an early warning sign for heart trouble. 'The penile arteries are small and particularly sensitive to changes in blood flow,' Carter said. 'Addressing ED early can reveal, and help prevent, more serious underlying conditions.' If your ED is linked to another health issue, treating that first might fix the problem. But if not, Carter shared 12 lifestyle changes that can help you stand tall again. #1: Get your heart pumping Carter's first piece of advice is simple: Move more. 'I encourage patients to aim for at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity and two to three strength sessions weekly,' he said. 'Even walking after dinner can make a difference.' 6 Research shows that regular physical activity can be as effective as some medications in improving erectile function. michaelheim – Cardio workouts can improve blood vessel health, reduce inflammation, boost insulin sensitivity and increase nitric oxide — a chemical that's key for erections. Meanwhile, resistance training helps maintain testosterone levels and muscle mass, both essential for keeping things going strong in the bedroom. #2: Lose the belly 'A waistline over 40 inches is a known risk factor for ED,' Carter warned. That belly fat isn't just sitting there. Instead, it's hormonally active, lowering testosterone levels, increasing inflammation and impairing blood circulation. All of that makes it tougher to get it up and keep it that way. 'Losing even 5 to 10% of body weight can significantly improve symptoms,' Carter said. #3: Eat like the Greeks A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins can boost the production of nitric oxide. It also boosts the endothelium — the inner lining of your blood vessels — which plays a key role in controlling blood flow to the penis, essential for strong erections. 6 Focus on heart-healthy foods and weight management to improve blood flow and overall sexual health. EdNurg – 'Leafy greens, beets, salmon, berries, nuts, and olive oil are excellent choices,' Carter recommended. 'Avoid processed carbs, sugary beverages, and fried foods, which impair circulation.' #4: Quit smoking and cut back on booze 'I advise limiting alcohol to one or two drinks per day, and eliminating tobacco altogether,' Carter said. Tobacco — even from vaping — wrecks blood vessels and cuts blood flow to the penis. Meanwhile, heavy drinking suppresses testosterone levels and desensitizes the nervous system, he explained. #5: Sleep tight Testosterone peaks during deep sleep, so don't skimp on the shut-eye. Sleep apnea, insomnia or even a irregular sleep schedule can throw your hormones off and make ED worse, Carter warned. 'Men should aim for 7–8 hours of restful sleep nightly and consider a sleep study if snoring or fatigue is present,' he advised. #6: Chill out Stress triggers your body's 'fight or flight' mode, which shuts down arousal. Performance anxiety and emotional strain can also block the erection reflex. For this, 'daily mindfulness practices, therapy, breathing exercises and relationship support can be surprisingly effective,' Carter said. #7: Try Kegels 'Yes, Kegels work for men too,' Carter said. 6 Kegel exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles. DragonImages – This exercise firms up the pelvic floor muscles — which form a sling that supports your bladder bowel, and prostate — helping with bladder and bowel control, sexual function and core strength. 'I recommend three sets of 10–15 slow contractions daily, holding each for 3–5 seconds,' Carter said, noting that this can help improve erection rigidity and ejaculation control. #8: Check your medicine cabinet Certain medications, including SSRIs, blood pressure drugs and antihistamines, can tank your performance. 'Patients should never stop a prescribed medication without guidance, but they should ask if alternatives exist,' Carter said. 'I also caution against unregulated 'testosterone boosters' or male enhancement supplements sold online.' #9: Cut back on the porn For some, Carter said too much screen time can dull your sexual response and make real-life intimacy less satisfying. 6 An unexpected consequence of heavy porn use is sexual dysfunction. uladzimirzuyeu – 'Taking a break or cutting back can help reset arousal pathways and improve responsiveness,' he advised. #10: Embrace the cold Cold showers or ice baths — even just 30 to 90 seconds — can boost circulation, cut inflammation and give your dopamine production a gentle nudge, Carter said. 'While not a standalone treatment, this practice may offer additional benefits when part of a larger health routine,' he noted. #11: Mind your nutrients Zinc, vitamin D, magnesium and B vitamins all play a big role in hormone production and nerve health — but studies show that plenty of Americans are running low on these essentials. 'Men with restricted diets or absorption issues may benefit from lab testing and physician-guided supplementation,' Carter said. #12: Turn feelings into firepower 'Erectile function is not just physical, it's relational,' Carter said. Trust, affection and good communication boost sexual confidence and performance. Studies show that men who have stronger emotional bonds with their partner tend to have fewer ED issues or bounce back faster. 'Investing in your relationship outside the bedroom often improves what happens inside it,' Carter said.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Spotify to raise premium subscription price in some markets — stock surges
Spotify said on Monday it would increase the monthly price of its premium individual subscription in select markets starting next month as the Swedish streaming giant looks to improve margins. The company's shares jumped nearly 8%. They have gained about 40% so far this year. The subscription price will rise to $13.86 per month from $12.71 in markets including South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. The subscription price will rise South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Kaspars Grinvalds – Spotify said subscribers will receive an email explaining the price rise over the next month. Price increases in the past, combined with cost-cutting efforts in recent years, have helped it to achieve its first annual profit for 2024. The company saw an increase in monthly active users and premium subscribers during the second quarter, while higher taxes related to employee salaries led it to post a loss during the period and weighed on its third-quarter profit forecast. Spotify has been expanding its library of video content to attract subscribers, including through its partner program, which is designed to help podcast creators by offering them monetization options. Spotify saw an increase in monthly active users and premium subscribers during the second quarter, Getty Images A growing number of creators are joining the Spotify Partner Program, resulting in a significant increase in video content on the platform, CEO Daniel Ek had earlier told Reuters. The streaming company is also benefiting from Apple's approval of its U.S. app update to show subscription prices and external payment links, after a judge barred the iPhone maker from charging commission on off-app purchases. Ek said this change has led to 'a very positive uptick' in the US. If similar rules are adopted in Europe and the UK, it would benefit both Spotify and other app developers.
New York Post
26-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Men need to lower their standards on dating apps, new study shows
There's long been a theory that, on dating apps, 80% of women are pursuing the top 20% of men — but new research reveals it's actually fellas who are aiming too high when swiping for love. International researchers analyzed the behaviors of almost 3,000 heterosexual users of a Czech dating app, with their findings published earlier this week in the PLOS One journal. 'Men tended to express interest in women who were more desirable than themselves, while women typically pursued men of more similar desirability,' the team uncovered. 'Men tended to express interest in women who were more desirable than themselves, while women typically pursued men of more similar desirability,' the team uncovered. Kaspars Grinvalds – To classify how desirable each user was, researchers counted the number of swipes they received from other people on the app. There were more male users, meaning that female users 'generally ranked more highly in this hierarchy.' Despite being spoilt for choice, the research revealed that women sometimes 'chose slightly less desirable partners on average.' However, the study showed that successful matches tended 'to happen between people with similar levels of desirability.' Thus, to avoid feeling frustrated and rejected when using dating apps, the research suggests that men should be realistic about their own desirability and not attempt to date out of their league. Despite being spoilt for choice, the research revealed that women sometimes 'chose slightly less desirable partners on average.' Studio Romantic – 'Our research on a Czech online dating app shows that while men often aim high when choosing whom to contact, successful matches tend to happen between people with similar levels of desirability. This pattern is largely the result of rejection, rather than an initial preference for similarity.' 'The successful matching outcomes tend to align more closely with women's preferences than with men's. This likely reflects women's stronger position in the online dating market, as men outnumber women and are often expected to make the first move.'
New York Post
17-07-2025
- New York Post
One of the most common ways couples meet is also the least ‘satisfying' — and leads to marital troubles: study
Dating app algorithms haven't cracked the code on heaven-made matches just yet. Collectively, dating apps like Tinder, Hinge and Bumble have amassed hundreds of millions of users, and increasingly, they're becoming a more popular way for singles of all ages to date. 3 For many online daters, long distance or excessive travel can result in lower relationship satisfaction. Jacob Lund – Indeed, dating apps are arguably the best way to find first dates and no-strings-attached lovers, but psychology researchers wanted to know whether committed relationships born online are built to last. In light of this growing demographic of digitally devised married couples, a new study, published in Computers in Human Behavior, explored how the place a couple meets impacts their relationship down the road. The study revealed that not all of these marriages born in the mainframe hold up to couples who began their relationships IRL. The study issued a survey to 923 married adults based in the US, and around half of the studied adults met their spouse online. According to the study, online daters consistently reported less satisfying and stable marriages than offline daters did, leading to what the researchers called the 'online dating effect.' While differing individual factors like age, prior dating experience, and personality traits can all do their fair share of romantic wreckage, the study focused on 'external influences on courtship such as societal marginalization and geographic distance.' These external influences can impact emotional and physical vulnerability as well as conceptions of external approval. 3 In a 2013 study, researchers found that online daters reported more satisfying marriages than traditionally introduced couples did. Kaspars Grinvalds – With online dating, couples are typically matched up via an algorithm that detects user data and previous activity to suggest potential compatibility. These couples also typically don't face the same initial pressure from friends or families as online daters tend to introduce their partners to their loved ones after the relationship becomes more established. 3 For many couples, familial approval can be a make-or-break factor. djile – While this phenomenon can be liberating for the couple at first, it can also lead to a sense of insecurity among one or both partners, especially when considering the lack of initial external approval and the amount of time already invested in the relationship — which may lead an individual to tough it out, though these couples are admittedly less likely to make it to marriage. Typically, the couples in the study who met online were younger and more recently married, which could also factor into feelings of instability. Although the study's pool of online daters reported less satisfying marriages overall than couples who met in person, the quality of these connections was still considered relatively higher than in comparable studies in the past, the researchers clarified. Not all couples who meet online are guaranteed to glitch. As The Post previously reported, online dating can take on a dark side. Those who are insecure about their looks, socially anxious or extra-sensitive to rejection are more likely than others to use dating apps in a problematic way, and often, become obsessed with these platforms. In some cases, a preoccupation with online dating can result in chemical imbalances that can even affect libido levels, so swipe carefully — depending on how you operate, you could end up with a future spouse or hormone instability.
