Your Erection, Your Health
It is normal for men to have trouble with their erections from time to time, and it is not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, if it becomes an ongoing problem, ED or erectile dysfunction can cause stress, affect a man’s self-confidence, and contribute to issues in his relationships.
About one-third of men between the ages of 40-70 have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection that is firm enough for having sexual intercourse. While a man may think that his problem is psychological or the result of aging, one of the most common causes of ED is underlying coronary heart disease, which also puts a man at risk for other serious medical problems.
High cholesterol levels in the blood can create fatty deposits that build up inside the lining of blood vessels and restrict blood flow. These deposits can cause ED because they limit blood flow to erectile tissue within the penis. In fact, in many cases, difficulty with erections is the first clue that a man has underlying heart disease.
ED can also be linked to Type 2 diabetes since high blood sugar can damage the nerves that control sexual stimulation and response and impede a man’s ability to achieve an erection that is firm enough for penetration. Reduced blood flow from diabetes-damaged blood vessels can also contribute to ED; in fact, some studies have found that half of all men with diabetes have ED.
Some men can be so embarrassed by ED that they fail to mention it to their doctor, or they focus so much on their problems with sexual performance when they visit their doctor that they fail to mention the other symptoms of cardiac diseases, such as shortness of breath; weakness or coldness in legs or arms; or pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back.
The early signs of Type 2 diabetes are also crucial for a man to mention to his doctor; they include frequent urination, feeling thirsty or hungry even though a man is eating and drinking normally, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, wounds or bruises that are slow to heal, as well as tingling, pain or numbness in the hands and feet.
The good news is that whatever the cause of ED, healthy lifestyle decisions can make a big difference. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol, or recreational drugs; controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar—all can reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke while at the same time improve sexual function in men.
It is vital to address erectile dysfunction early since treatment can be very effective in restoring erections and improving a man’s sense of wellbeing. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments can include acupuncture and herbs to address weakness or blockages developed around the Liver and Kidney energy channels, strengthen Liver Qi, relieve stagnation, and clear dampness.
Your TCM practitioner can also help you clean up your diet and help you make lifestyle choices that will help optimize your sexual health. Not only does a good sex life feel good, but it is also good for your heart because it counts as exercise, eases stress, and improves sleep.