The older you become, the more the likelihood increases of you experiencing erectile dysfunction. It is possible to avoid ED, as in most cases, it is caused by another medical condition.
ED in men over fifty is incredibly common. Some estimates state that 1 in 3 men over the age of 50 have been bothered by ED. Many men believe that being diagnosed with ED is a death sentence, but it isn’t – there is a multitude of treatments available to fix it.
ED is characterized by an inability to maintain or keep an erection for a satisfactory period. This can be defined by an erection that may be too weak or doesn’t last as long. Having ED can also have a significant impact on your libido and sex drive.
As the human body ages, the lining of the arteries loses its flexibility. This phenomenon is the most common trigger for ED in men over the age of 5. This hardening of the arteries allows less blood to flow and, as a result, only allows for a much weaker erection.
Over time there is also the possibility of plaque building up in the arteries again, reducing the much important blood flow. The reduced blood flow results in erectile dysfunction and may be attributed to other possible heart conditions. This phenomenon of reduced blood flow is called Atherosclerosis.
It has been established that diagnosis with ED can serve as an early indicator of heart disease. Men who are diagnosed as having AD are at a much higher risk of experiencing a cardiac event.
Those with ED have twice the risk of heart conditions than those without ED. The blood vessels located in the genitals are smaller than in the rest of the body. As a result, the penis can show blood flow problems much earlier than the rest of the body.
ED can be caused by a whole other range of conditions, which include obesity and diabetes or a variety of psychological factors such as anxiety and depression. It is essential to contact a healthcare professional to get to the cause of your ED.
ED can be somewhat avoided by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and engaging in aerobic exercise for 150 minutes or more per week. The importance of avoiding alcohol and drugs cannot be underestimated.
There is a range of oral tablets available for ED treatment; these include sildenafil, testosterone booster supplements, and other analogous oral pills.
Many men have since decided to try out natural remedies such as L-arginine and ginseng, which have demonstrated effectiveness in treating the condition.
What are some other causes of erectile dysfunction for men over 50?
Erectile dysfunction isn’t solely a product of cardiovascular problems.
There are many more physical and mental determinants that may contribute to ED, including the following:
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep disorders
- Relationship issues
- Sleep disorders
- Peyronie’s disease
How can older men avoid ED?
You will enjoy the most out of your erections when you’re at the best of your health. Simple lifestyle changes are so underestimated yet so effective.
These can be as simple as getting at least 150 minutes of exercise every week, sticking to a healthy diet, quitting drugs and alcohol, getting sleep, among many other things (which we will be discussing below in just a minute) – might prove to be just what you need to improve your erections.
What treatment options exist for ED?
Oral medications for erectile dysfunction have been proven to be effective for better sexual function. Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are among the most commonly-prescribed medicines for men struggling with ED.
Other men have found that a mix of lifestyle changes and taking some natural supplements for ED is effective. Studies have shown that supplements such as ginseng, ashwagandha, fenugreek, DHEA, and other natural compounds may improve ED.
Some supplements, however, are better than others – and perhaps none more so than Male UltraCore, which includes over 10 natural testosterone-boosting compounds that can raise your performance to a whole new level.
Implementing lifestyle changes
Erectile dysfunction is totally treatable, and that the physical and emotional roots of ED are the same.
For instance, you can try the following:
- reduce your weight
- stop smoking and reduce your alcohol consumption
- engage in healthy responses to dealing with stress
- communicate closely with your sexual partner
Such strategies might take a little research and trial and error to discover what works best for you. Be sure to talk to your doctor to address any potential causes of your ED.
The Top 10 Do’s and Dont’s for Erectile Dysfunction
ED is a real problem for millions men around the world, but there are oodles and oodles of approaches you can take to help minimize it. Here are 10 do’s and don’ts you can start with.
One thing you should know is that erectile dysfunction is not a regular part of aging, and should not be dismissed as such. Regardless of your age, you should still be capable of enjoying a satisfactory sex life.
That said, if you are experiencing symptoms of ED, try these 10 tips.
Address underlying health issues associated with ED
The risks of experiencing erectile dysfunction increases with age because the underlying health problems that lead to it are also increasing as you get older.
Determining the root cause of ED begins with your doctor running you through a battery of exams and knowing your health record. Common underlying medical causes of ED are hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, low T, or neurological disorders.
Quit smoking
Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, which is not what you want when you have sex. That’s because erections are caused by improved blood flow. Not only that, smoking also contributes to atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis hardens the arteries that bring blood to and from the heart to the rest of your body, including your penis. Go cold turkey, try a nicotine patch, or join a support group – anything to quit this health scourge.
Opt for a healthy diet
Obesity and high cholesterol are linked to ED, and both can be fixed by simply improving your diet.
For instance, stocking up on foods that are low in saturated fat, sugar, and cholesterol while eating more portions of vegetables, whole grains, and fruits will nourish your body the right way so you can enjoy the benefits of a better sex life.
Curb your alcohol consumption
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol doesn’t increase your libido. Rather, it quite literally does the opposite effect, since it is a depressant.
That’s why it’s hard to obtain and maintain an erection, much less perform, when you’ve had too much to drink. Moderation is key – while taking alcohol may reduce stress, it can worsen ED when overconsumed.
Exercise
Regular exercise for at least 15 minutes a day will not just improve your general health, but may also act as an aphrodisiac. Exercise, after all, boosts blood flow to all regions of your body, including the pelvis, which is where the blood vessels that your reproductive system requires for better sexual performance are located.
Plus, you build up your endurance, reduce your blood pressure, release your stress, and help you boost self-esteem and look better.
Manage your stress
Stress and anxiety lead to depression and a general lack of interest in having sex altogether.
That’s why you should find a way to get these feelings out by either participating in a stress-relieving hobby or going for counselling. Stress is not just the number 1 killer – it kills off your libido too.
Exhaust your medical options
That’s why you should work closely with your doctor to find the appropriate course of treatment such as taking natural testosterone booster supplements, use vacuum pump devices, or other more invasive or expensive options such as penile surgery or testosterone replacement therapy.
Communicate with your partner
Erectile dysfunction is an embarrassing subject to discuss for some men, and thus they hide it from their partners. This leads to either partner withdrawing from the relationship due to thinking that they are sexually inadequate and undesirable.
Please know that your partner also gets affected, so being honest about your situation should be a priority so that you can reduce the stress that ED causes on your relationship.
Be open about exploring ways to achieve satisfaction, and don’t feel helpless – there are many ways to treat ED.
Consider getting sexual counselling
Relationship problems confound erectile dysfunction greatly. That’s why counselling from a licensed sexual health consultant or a sex therapist may be an option for you and your partner to take.
This is a way couples can openly discuss their sexual problems and together find a solution to improve their sexual performance and desire.
Stop comparing yourself with others
Erectile dysfunction is common among men and can even be deemed as normal since it happens in 1 in 5 men. If you and your partner are comfortable with your sex life and you enjoy your intimate moments, then ED may not be as big of a deal than most men make it out to be.
If it is, then seek help – there are more ways to treat ED than you can shake a stick at. Regardless of your chosen strategy, we wish you all the best.