Before You Pop a Viagra: 7 Natural ED Remedies

It’s the truth: You reach a certain age where having sex isn’t as easy or satisfying as it used to be. Many factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED) — anything from smoking to cardiovascular disease to general stress — and you shouldn’t be shy about discussing any erectile problems with your doctor. If there’s an underlying health condition causing your troubles, treating the cause may get you back to top form in no time.

Of course, these days we also have a variety of medication available to help men achieve and maintain an erection. But before you pop a pill, try these natural tips for sexual health.

Smoking causes arteries to become stiff, which can have the opposite effect on your erection. Decreased blood flow to your sexual organs can make it difficult to achieve an erection.

It can’t be stressed enough — a healthy diet and lifestyle has numerous benefits, including in the bedroom. ED is linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, so eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains can reduce your chance of developing heart problems and, in turn, can alleviate your ED.

Studies have shown that engaging in aerobic exercise at mid-life may treat erectile dysfunction. While researchers continue to investigate, I can tell you that regular aerobic exercise in combination with a healthy diet will reduce your chance of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes — which is good for your sexual health.

While there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence that supports using herbs to increase sexual urges, most of these supplements won’t hurt you. Try classic libido-enhancing herbs like maca, tribulus, rhodiola, ginseng, omega-3s, DHEA, and L-arginine. But be sure to consult your doctor first if you take blood thinners or other medications for heart health.

Make no mistake: foreplay matters. Choose a setting that promotes intimacy and communication with your partner, which can reduce performance anxiety. Take time to warm up and get into the mood.

We live in a society that expects high performance in every aspect of life — including sex. If you’re having erectile dysfunction issues, practice stress-reducing techniques every day so you can relax and enjoy intimacy without worrying about your performance.

Sometimes low libido or sexual dysfunction can occur due to low testosterone levels. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a testosterone supplement. Your body usually can produce adequate testosterone, but it needs downtime to convert precursor hormones into testosterone. If you’re burning the candle at both ends, your body will convert those precursors into cortisol instead. So rest, relax, and allow your body to build up its testosterone stores.

I mentioned taking herbs and supplements to treat erectile dysfunction, so I want to add a note of caution about using so-called “natural male enhancement” pills. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls dozens (if not hundreds) of these products each year for containing the active ingredient in medications used to treat ED. When you buy those products from the internet, or even from a retail store, you have no real way of knowing what you’re ingesting. The active ingredient in drugs like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra can negatively interact with other medications, so it’s essential that you take them with medical supervision.