If you frequently experience impotence, you’re not alone. One in four men under the age of 40 suffers from impotence. Depending on the cause and severity of your erectile dysfunction, your doctor will most likely prescribe medication to increase blood flow to certain parts of the body. The problem is, these medications often come with side effects ranging between problematic to potentially life threatening. Instead, why not try a natural remedy that can help your impotence without any of the nasty side effects?
What is impotence?
Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, is a condition that prevents a man from maintaining an erection during sex. It may also include reduced sexual desire. If you’ve been diagnosed with ED or impotence and it lasts longer than a few weeks, your doctor may prescribe standard meds such as Viagra, Cialis, Staxyn and Stendra. The side effects and health risks associated with these drugs are wide-ranging, and may include: Â
- Blurred vision
- Muscle pain
- Redness and flushing
- Stuffy nose and sinus pain
- Headache and dizziness
- Upset stomach and diarrhea
- Back pain
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Heart attack
- Painful erections
- Seizures
If you’re not interested in taking pills, other treatment options for impotence include vacuum pumps, implants and surgery.
Impotence may be a symptom of an underlying condition
There is no doubt that these medications and treatment options can work. However, it’s important to note that impotence may actually stem from a number of underlying conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, these conditions may include:
- Heart disease
- Emotional distress (stress, anxiety, depression)
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Substance abuse
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Injury
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Prostate cancer (including treatment side effects)
For many men, a physical exam and answering a few questions are all that is needed for a doctor to diagnose impotence. From there you can decide what works best for you. Here are some natural remedies to try: Â
Apple cider vinegar for impotence
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been popularized as a health food and a natural remedy that treats several health conditions. Yet, you’re probably wondering how ACV could possibly help impotence. Although there are no scientific studies to back the claims, some suggest that ACV is one of the best cures for impotence. The reason ACV works is because it treats the underlying causes of impotence such as high blood sugar, weight management and heart disease.
Men who have diabetes are more likely to develop impotence, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Impotence is linked to poor long-term blood sugar control, which damages nerves and blood vessels. ACV can help lower your blood sugar. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that including ACV in a carbohydrate-rich meal lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Obesity can also lead to erectile dysfunction. According to a Japanese study, acetic acid, a main component of ACV, was found to suppress body fat accumulation in animals. Further investigation found that ACV helps lower body weight and mass in people who are obese.
ACV may also help treat heart disease, which can lead to impotence. A study in Researchgate found that using ACV regularly may help lower blood lipid levels. Lowering lipid levels helps to prevent heart disease. Another study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that ACV could help lower cholesterol. Lowering cholesterol also helps prevent heart disease. By improving the underlying cause, you can treat impotence. In the long run, that may prove to be a better option than simply medicating a symptom.
Panax ginseng for impotence
Not to be confused with American ginseng, panax ginseng or red ginseng is a plant that grows in Korea, northeastern China and far eastern Siberia. The root is used for medicine. It improves thinking, concentration, memory, Alzheimer’s disease and physical stamina. It’s also an effective treatment for impotence.
Researchers reviewed seven studies with red ginseng as a treatment for impotence. Doses ranged between 600 to 1,000 milligrams, three times per day. Evidence suggests that panax ginseng extract may be an effective treatment for impotence because of the compound ginsenosides. Ginsenosides work on a cellular level to improve penile erection. It seems to be most effective for men with high lipids in their blood and metabolic syndrome, according to a study published in Asian Journal of Andrology. Like Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications, panax ginseng improves blood flow to the penis.
DHEA for impotence
DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone, is a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands, according to Healthline. It’s found in both men and women, and can be converted to both estrogen and testosterone in the body. Scientists have created a supplement made from wild yam and soy that proves to be promising for impotence.
A study from the New England Research Institute in Massachusetts found that men with impotence were more likely to have low levels of DHEA. Another study found that 50 milligrams of DHEA once a day for six months gave participants the ability to achieve or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual performance. Â
DHEA treatment is particularly effective for men who suffer from impotence due to diabetes, according to this research. Impotence commonly affects these men because of hormonal issues as well as diabetic complications, which interfere with blood flow to organs.
Acupuncture for impotence
Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old healing technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to the Center for Integrated Medicine, acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific acupuncture points. When used to treat impotence, some studies show positive results.
An earlier study found that out of 16 patients who received acupuncture, 39 percent showed improvement in the quality of erections. They also had restored sexual activity. Another later study reported that 21 percent of patients who suffered from impotence, and who received acupuncture, had improved erections. For those who are afraid of needles, acupuncture is relatively painless. The risks are low when completed by a licensed acupuncturist.
Impotence can be quite worrisome and embarrassing for a man. But if not checked and dealt with in the early stages, it could strain your relationships. Unfortunately, it’s growing more common, likely because of lifestyle choices. Before trying any remedies on your own, speak with your doctor first and obtain a proper diagnosis to rule out any serious underlying conditions.
— Katherine Marko Â
