Erectile dysfunction is such a common problem among men that the world has come up with dozens of remedies. Some of these solutions are much more effective than others. In some instances, there’s no evidence whatsoever that a certain approach will work.
It’s a common belief that having more sex is one of the best options for improving the quality of your erections. Is this really so?
The Theory Behind The Claim
To figure out whether sex helps prevent erectile dysfunction, it’s first important to pay attention to some of the most important factors that contribute to the condition.
ED is a complex sexual issue. Its main causes could be both physiological and psychological. A few of the most common reasons why men find themselves incapable of getting an erection include the following:
- Cardiovascular problems that impair the flow of blood to the peripheral vessels
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Parkinson’s disease
- Prostate gland enlargement and other prostate conditions
- Cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Multiple sclerosis
The theory behind the “use it or lose it” method is simple to understand. ED is a more common problem among aging men. Age changes many physiological processes. Thus, having sex frequently is a way to exercise and keep everything functioning properly.
Frequent erections keep the penis healthy. They have a positive impact on the nerve endings and they also keep blood vessels in the region in a good condition.
Needless to say, this doesn’t apply to the guys who are experiencing ED as a result of a serious medical condition. In these instances, having a talk with a physician first will be very important. A doctor will determine whether a medical problem is to blame for the poor erectile response and whether a treatment should be sought.
Evidence
It all sounds great in theory but is there any evidence proving that men who have sex more frequently are less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction?
In 2008, the results of one experiment were published in the American Journal of Medicine. The study sample consisted of 989 men aged 55 to 75. Researchers did a five-year experiment, during which they tracked frequency of having sex and frequency of ED among the participants.
Due to their age, some of the men in the sample group did suffer from various medical conditions linked to higher incidence of ED. These conditions included high blood pressure, heard disease, diabetes and other cardiovascular problems.
In the end of the five-year period, researchers concluded that the men who reported having sex less than once per week were two times more likely to suffer from ED than the ones that had sex once per week or more frequently.
A Different Point Of View
While having sex or masturbating frequently is like exercise for the penis, some urologists have a different point of view.
According to some medical professionals, infrequent sex is associated to ED but it’s still not certain whether it causes ED. It’s not necessary for all men to go out and have sex in order to keep their erectile response healthy. Some guys simply enjoy strong erections later on in life without having to do anything.
Having sex and engaging in other sexual activities is definitely a good idea due to the wide array of physical and psychological benefits these bring. Sex, however, shouldn’t become a goal in itself, especially when it comes to maintaining reproductive health.
According to some urologists, infrequent sex may actually be the result of ED and not the other way around. Men who have experienced such problems are more likely to suffer from performance anxiety, which will make them unwilling to engage in sexual activities.
The bottom line is that having sex is definitely a good thing. Sexual activities will keep you youthful, help you stay in a good physical shape and boost the production of feel good hormones. If you are experiencing problems with ED, however, it may be a good idea to seek adequate treatment and supplementation. This approach will usually be the one that will deliver the best results.
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