Erectile Dysfunction
How Can I Cure Erectile Dysfunction?
Question:
My doctor tells me that I am showing signs of erectile dysfunction and that I might have to begin using Viagra or another ED drug to get and keep an erection. Because my health insurance doesn’t really cover those drugs, I was wondering whether there were steps I could take on my own to cure this disorder. Otherwise, it looks as though my sex life is going to be fairly barren as I can’t afford these drugs every time I want to have sex.
Josh W., Walla Walla, WA
ANSWER:
Hi Josh!
The word “cure” has such a sense of finality about it that I would be reluctant to say that you could cure ED once and for all. However, if your impotence symptoms are still fairly mild, you may be able to make some lifestyle changes that will help you regain normal erectile function and hold onto it for as long as possible, conceivably for the rest of your life. Most important is a healthy diet, one that contains all the important nutrients but only moderate levels of fat. If you’re looking for a model diet, the Mediterranean diet is a solid bet, but there are others as well. Next comes a regular schedule of physical activity, ideally one that combines both cardiovascular and strength training. If you’re a smoker, kick the habit, because it sharply increases your risk of developing ED. If you’re overweight, shed those extra pounds, and keep them off. You don’t have to be a teetotaler, but it’s wise to keep your alcohol consumption within moderate levels. Certain underlying health conditions, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure, make it more likely that you’ll experience symptoms of ED. If you suffer from these conditions, work with your doctor to ensure that they are kept under control. Do all these things, and you can support healthy erectile function, but they may not provide a cure if your symptoms are already too far advanced.
Such measures include eating a healthy diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat protein, and steering clear of fast foods that offer little nutritive value and are high in unhealthy fats and calories.
Other positive steps you can take include losing excess weight, quitting smoking, making exercise part of your daily routine, and keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum. If you suffer from diabetes, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, or other health conditions that can lead to ED, you should work with your doctor to manage these conditions so they don’t interfere with your love life.
Thanks,
Who Is ED Staff