Latest news with #erectiledysfunction
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists uncover 'natural' Viagra that can cure erectile dysfunction without taking the little blue pill
Scientists have discovered that building muscle could serve as a natural alternative to Viagra. A team of researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, went about exploring the link between muscle quality and erectile dysfunction (ED), suffered by more than 18million men in the US over the age of 20. ED includes the inability to get an erection or the inability to maintain one. One of the most common medications for erectile dysfunction are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra). But these drugs often trigger a range of side effects including headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness. They are also expensive, costing $65 to $140 per tablet for brand-name Viagra and $4 to $10 per tablet for generic sildenafil. In the new study, researchers looked at 32 previous studies linking men's muscular strength to sexual function. They found that cross-sectional studies using testing metrics such as muscle volume and hand-grip strength (HGS) showed strong correlations between muscle parameters and erectile function, sexual desire, and overall sexual satisfaction. After looking at the evidence, the research team concluded that there is a positive correlation between erectile function and muscle health. They explained: 'Maintaining skeletal muscle with nutrition and physical activity improves erectile and overall health outcomes. 'Therapies that target sexual function and muscle health simultaneously (eg, testosterone and L-carnitine) may further benefit sexual function. 'Future studies are warranted to strengthen and elucidate this relationship and to follow the longitudinal outcomes of these therapies on sexual health.' The link between erectile dysfunction and exercise isn't new. 'We published a paper about a year and a half ago, showing that exercise significantly reverses erectile dysfunction,' study co-author Dr Mohit Khera told Men's Health. Exercise can play a significant role in improving erectile dysfunction by positively impacting several key areas. Regular physical activity can improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, manage weight, and address psychological factors, all of which contribute to erectile function. Dr Khera added: 'While higher testosterone levels from strength training may play a minor role, the primary benefits are derived from improved vascular health.' His past research found that 160 minutes of exercise a week, including strength training, significantly improved erectile function in men. 'Notably, those with the most severe erectile dysfunction experienced the greatest improvements through regular exercise,' he says. Along with working out, the researchers found diet can also play a role in erectile dysfunction. The study found L-carnitine, an amino acid found in red meat, poultry, and fish, may help work as a remedy for ED, too. Erectile dysfunction is very common and often affects men over 40 years old. In the US, more than 3.5 million prescriptions for sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) were filled in 2022. Most men struggle to get or keep an erection at some point. This can be caused by stress, fatigue or drinking too much alcohol. However, if it is a frequent occurrence, it may be a result of high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, depression or anxiety and hormones problems, and is something that can be discussed with a healthcare provider. Drugs on the market for ED include Viagra, which is part of a drug class called PDE5 inhibitors. They work by blocking an enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis, by blocking it, the normal function can resume and the penis can be become erect. Side effects can include headaches, sickness, hot flushes, indigestion, a stuffy nose or feeling dizzy. Over recent years, health experts have warned of a staggering rise in erectile problems in young men. According to doctors, watching pornography is driving a wave of erectile dysfunction. UK-based Dr Babak Ashrafi said there had been an 46 percent increase in men under the age of 30 currently seeking help for erectile dysfunction compared to last year. But Dr Babak said a spike in younger men experiencing the problem could be linked to the 'exponential' consumption of explicit online material. 'Despite men between the ages of 45 and 54 being the most likely to suffer from erectile difficulties, younger male audiences are increasingly requesting treatment,' he said. Dr Babak explained that while occasional pornography viewing was harmless, frequent or marathon sessions could retrain men's brains and prevent them from becoming aroused normally. 'Repeated overexposure to graphic content can over time make it harder for individuals to become aroused by real-life sexual experiences,' he said. The family doctor added that porn could also be giving men unrealistic perceptions about their manhood, or how long they should last in bed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Can You Lift Weights Instead of Taking Viagra? New Research Finds a Surprising Link Between Muscle and ED.
It can feel like you've tried everything to turn things around when you're dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED). But while the exact reason why you're having trouble getting and staying hard can be complicated, a new research review suggests there's a simple lifestyle move that can help fight ED: Building muscle. The scientific analysis, which was published in the journal Sexual Medicine Reviews, builds on previous research that has found that a gym routine that's good for your muscles and health is also good for lowering your ED risk and keeping your sexual function healthy. It also had some interesting findings on nutrition and erectile dysfunction, giving you more tools to add to your ED-fighting arsenal. You may know this, but it never hurts to repeat it: Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to sustain an erection that is firm enough for penetrative intercourse. It's estimated to affect 322 million men around the world and more than half of men over the age of 50. How does adding more muscle to your frame factor in? Doctors who treat ED break it down. What did the study find? For the study, researchers analyzed data from 32 studies on sexual dysfunction, muscle mass, and strength. After crunching the data, they saw that higher levels of skeletal muscle mass (the weight of the muscles in the body that are attached to your skeleton) and strength were linked to healthy sexual function, especially in men with risk factors for ED including diabetes and obesity and also in older men. The researchers also found a link between higher hand-grip strength—a common indicator of health and muscle strength—and a lower risk of erectile dysfunction. 'Maintaining skeletal muscle with nutrition and physical activity improves erectile and overall health outcomes,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. 'Therapies that target sexual function and muscle health simultaneously—testosterone and L-carnitine—may further benefit sexual function.' There are a few things to take away. The link between ED and exercise isn't new. 'We published a paper about a year and a half ago, showing that exercise significantly reverses erectile dysfunction,' says study co-author Mohit Khera, MD, MPH, a urologist specializing in male and female sexual dysfunction at Baylor College of Medicine. And the latest findings add weight to the idea that increasing your muscle gains may help you below the belt, in addition to improving your overall health. There are a few things going on here:• Strength training can help with blood flow. 'While higher testosterone levels from strength training may play a minor role, the primary benefits are derived from improved vascular health,' Khera says. Strength training is linked with lower inflammation in the body, better function of the endothelial cells that line the inner surface of blood vessels, and more availability of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels throughout your body (including in your penis), he explains. All of these elements support better blood flow and blood vessel health, which Khera calls 'critical' for erectile dysfunction. • Having more muscle mass also increases insulin sensitivity, which is linked with better erectile function, too, points out John Sigalos, MD, a urologist at Urology Austin. That influences how well your body uses glucose for energy. "As seen in diabetes and other metabolic syndromes, we know that poor regulation of sugar leads to dysfunction of the small blood vessels that affect erections," Sigalos says. • More muscle strength may mean you're healthier in general. That means you're less likely to have issues associated with ED, including type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol, says Philip Werthman, MD, urologist and director of the Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Vasectomy Reversal in Los Angeles, CA. 'Doing more strength training may help you lose fat, build muscle mass, and change your overall hormonal dynamics,' he says. So will lifting more take down ED? Overall, Khera says it's not a bad idea to lift more to combat erectile dysfunction, although there's no specific prescription yet for how much and what kind of workouts you should do. 'Strength training can be an effective remedy for erectile dysfunction,' he says. Khera's past research has found that 160 minutes of exercise a week, including strength training, significantly improved erectile function in men. 'Notably, those with the most severe erectile dysfunction experienced the greatest improvements through regular exercise,' he says. Nutrients Might Matter, Too One more thing to consider: The study also found that L-carnitine, an amino acid found in red meat, poultry, and fish, may help work as a remedy for ED, too. 'L-carnitine plays a role in nitric oxide production, as it is a precursor to this crucial molecule,' Khera says. 'Nitric oxide is essential for vascular health, including penile blood flow." Werthman has also found that his patients have success with L-carnitine supplements. 'We've been using L-carnitine for male fertility for decades,' he says. 'It's an antioxidant that protects the sperm and it helps muscle recovery." Werthman points out that he's studied the impact of L-carnitine on sperm, and found that stronger erections happened, too. 'There were a number of men who came back after a couple of months on L-carnitine and said, 'Hey, my erections got better,'' he says. If you're experiencing erectile dysfunction, Werthman says it's important to see a healthcare provider for a full workup. Not only can a health professional help turn things around, they can also check in on what's going on behind the scenes that's contributing to or causing ED. 'Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of cardiac dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, or other conditions,' Werthman says. 'Make sure you're OK before just getting a prescription for Viagra.' You Might Also Like The Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men to Buy Now 25 Vegetables That Are Surprising Sources of Protein
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
After 15 years of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, will I ever satisfy my wife?
I am a 48-year-old man. Both my wife and I come from a conservative background; we believe that sex before marriage is a sin and saved ourselves until we got married in our early 30s. Before getting married, I masturbated but never had any real sex. Our first night turned out to be a disaster. I couldn't get an erection. However, as the days passed, we managed to have sex but not to my wife's satisfaction, because I finished within 30 seconds of penetration. I think I suffer from both erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE). My ED is not consistent – I have been prescribed Viagra and use it sometimes – but my PE continues, and is taking a toll on us. My wife is uninterested in sex because she doesn't get anything out of it. It has been about 15 years now and we have two kids but our sex life has not improved. I tried couples counselling but that was more about building a bond between us (which I believe is not an issue as we love each other and can't think about being with someone else). The only missing piece in our life is satisfying sex. I would do anything to satisfy my wife but I am feeling helpless. This may seem radical to you, but a woman does not need a penis in order to be satisfied. I recommend that you learn how to give her an orgasm before you penetrate her. There are many places to find instruction about doing this, but basically you need to learn where her clitoris is and how you can touch her in an arousing and ultimately satisfying manner. Embarking on this type of exploration may seem daunting but if you can approach it as a loving couple you may be successful. Of course, your wife will have to be willing to work on this, so you will have to talk to her first and be sure she consents. The best way forward would really be to work as a couple with a good sex therapist, who could also treat your early ejaculation. Pamela Stephenson Connolly is a US-based psychotherapist who specialises in treating sexual disorders. If you would like advice from Pamela on sexual matters, send us a brief description of your concerns to (please don't send attachments). Each week, Pamela chooses one problem to answer, which will be published online. She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Submissions are subject to our terms and conditions.
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
After 15 years of premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, will I ever satisfy my wife?
I am a 48-year-old man. Both my wife and I come from a conservative background; we believe that sex before marriage is a sin and saved ourselves until we got married in our early 30s. Before getting married, I masturbated but never had any real sex. Our first night turned out to be a disaster. I couldn't get an erection. However, as the days passed, we managed to have sex but not to my wife's satisfaction, because I finished within 30 seconds of penetration. I think I suffer from both erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE). My ED is not consistent – I have been prescribed Viagra and use it sometimes – but my PE continues, and is taking a toll on us. My wife is uninterested in sex because she doesn't get anything out of it. It has been about 15 years now and we have two kids but our sex life has not improved. I tried couples counselling but that was more about building a bond between us (which I believe is not an issue as we love each other and can't think about being with someone else). The only missing piece in our life is satisfying sex. I would do anything to satisfy my wife but I am feeling helpless. This may seem radical to you, but a woman does not need a penis in order to be satisfied. I recommend that you learn how to give her an orgasm before you penetrate her. There are many places to find instruction about doing this, but basically you need to learn where her clitoris is and how you can touch her in an arousing and ultimately satisfying manner. Embarking on this type of exploration may seem daunting but if you can approach it as a loving couple you may be successful. Of course, your wife will have to be willing to work on this, so you will have to talk to her first and be sure she consents. The best way forward would really be to work as a couple with a good sex therapist, who could also treat your early ejaculation. Pamela Stephenson Connolly is a US-based psychotherapist who specialises in treating sexual disorders. If you would like advice from Pamela on sexual matters, send us a brief description of your concerns to (please don't send attachments). Each week, Pamela chooses one problem to answer, which will be published online. She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Submissions are subject to our terms and conditions.
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
What causes pelvic floor dysfunction in men and what can be done about it?
In his early 30s, Chad Woodard spent hours cycling around New York City training for an Ironman triathlon. Around the same time, he began to experience pelvic pain and erectile dysfunction. He never suspected his workouts could be the cause. Dr Woodard, now an assistant professor of physical therapy at Hunter College, had been in practice for several years, but it was only when a urologist asked him if he treated men with pelvic floor dysfunction that he began to educate himself about the pelvic floor, an umbrella term for the sling of muscles, ligaments and nerves at the base of the torso that supports the bladder, bowels and reproductive organs. When the pelvic floor becomes either overly lax or overly tight in men, it can cause incontinence, sexual dysfunction and pain in the scrotum, rectum or groin. Dr Woodard had heard passing mentions of the pelvic floor during his training, but he had no idea what pelvic floor physical therapy was. He sought out continuing education coursework in pelvic care and discovered that he was suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction. READ MORE After he successfully treated his conditions using the exercises he was learning, he dedicated his practice to helping other men. After treatment, 'they can live their life again,' he said, now more than a decade later. Overlooked source of suffering In recent years, women's pelvic floor health has received an uptick in attention, thanks to women's health advocates, social media activism and the rise of a cottage industry of telehealth companies and products to treat pelvic floor issues. But men's pelvic floor health is often still overlooked by medical providers (According to some estimates, one in 10 men in Ireland may suffer from a pelvic floor disorder). This is in part because pelvic floor issues, such as incontinence, erectile dysfunction and chronic pain, 'can masquerade as so many other conditions,' including prostate infections, sexually transmitted infections and even cancer, said Dr Amin Herati, an assistant professor of urology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. What causes pelvic floor dysfunction in men? Pelvic floor disorders typically arise when the muscles of the pelvis become too tight or too loose. Generally speaking, men are more likely to experience issues from overly tight pelvic floors, in which the muscles are in a near permanent state of contraction, said Kimberlee Sullivan, the head of clinics for pelvic health provider Origin. This limits the muscles' range of motion and mobility, which ultimately weakens them, making it difficult to control the flow of urine and faeces and to support erections and ejaculation. One of the most common causes of tight pelvic floors is stress, which can lead to over-clenching of the pelvic muscles. Other common causes include constipation, holding in urine for long periods of time and excessive sitting. Cycling or heavy lifting can also lead to tightness, experts said. When men have overly lax pelvic floors, the cause is most often surgery to treat prostate cancer. This cohort is especially likely to experience incontinence and erectile dysfunction, since surgery can weaken the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor disorders can also be caused by damage to the pudendal nerve, which runs through the pelvic floor, as a result of injury from activities such as kick-boxing, cycling or squatting. How is pelvic floor dysfunction treated in men? If you're suffering from bladder or bowel incontinence, erectile dysfunction or pelvic pain, first see a doctor to rule out infection or disease. For many issues, physical therapy may be the solution – with a treatment programme that combines massage to release tight muscle and fascia, and stretching or strengthening exercises. Diaphragmatic breathing may also be recommended. How can you keep your pelvic floor healthy? If you don't suffer from any pelvic floor issues, there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid dysfunction down the road. Practice deep breathing: Diaphragmatic breathing, in which your abdomen fills with oxygen as your inhale, can help to keep the pelvic floor both appropriately relaxed and strong. Deep breathing is like 'a stretch from the inside out,' said Alicia Ferriere, a pelvic floor physical therapist. Stretch regularly: Stretching your hip and groin muscles, quads, glutes and hamstrings can keep the muscles of your pelvic floor mobile. This can be especially valuable after powerlifting and cycling, both of which can tighten the pelvic floor's muscles and tissues, Ferriere said. Avoid Kegels, in most cases: Unless you have been diagnosed with an overly lax pelvic floor, avoid Kegels, or intentionally contracting your pelvic floor muscles. Most people don't do Kegels correctly, experts said, which can exacerbate a tight pelvic floor. Don't suffer in silence: If you suspect you might be developing a pelvic floor issue, don't try to tough it out. Just as you would seek treatment for a pulled or cramped muscle in your shoulder or calf, Sullivan said, the sooner you start addressing symptoms in your pelvic floor muscles, the better. – This article originally appeared in the New York Times
