How to Get Ready for Sex... or Not!
January 29, 2024
Men typically put more thought into preparing for a weekend game of hoops than they do to prepare for sex. Although some believe that a decline in sexual performance is a natural byproduct of aging, men who routinely take care of their sexual health and make better lifestyle choices are more likely to enjoy physical intimacy at every age.
The unfortunate truth is from puberty through their senior years, there’s not a lot of opportunities for most men to learn about how male sexual function changes over time. Moreover, talking about sex for most men is filled with embarrassing feelings that make them ill-prepared and often overly anxious anytime their sexual function and performance suddenly changes.
Maybe you’ve been telling yourself that you are just going through a dry spell. But, dismissing the lack of intimacy can be bad for several reasons. There are well-documented emotional and physical health benefits of regularly having sex. For starters, it is enjoyable and a great night of lovemaking can make everything in your world seem better and more manageable.
Not surprisingly, near the top of the list of things men shouldn’t do if they are planning to have sex later are eating too much of the wrong foods, drinking too many energy drinks, and consuming too much alcohol or recreational drugs. When it comes to keeping the nerves and blood vessels in the penis working in top order, making healthier choices could go a long way.
Nitric oxide is crucial for blood flow...
A penile erection is controlled by autonomic nerve stimulation that activates the release of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a chemical messenger that plays a crucial role in regulating and relaxing the corporal cavernosal muscle tissue that supplies blood to the penis. Nitric oxide has been the basis for the use of nitroglycerin in treating certain cardiovascular conditions. It keeps the arterial lining smooth and slippery, which minimizes damaging inflammation and artery-blocking blood clots.
For decades, men having problems with erectile function have relied on the “little blue pill” to increase blood flow to the penis. The PDE5 inhibitors block the enzyme that causes blood vessels to narrow and enhance the effects of nitric oxide to prolong an erection. Common factors that influence a loss of nitric oxide, which is also a signal of the onset of chronic diseases, include lack of exercise, poor nutrition, oxidative stress, and use of tobacco products.
Before PDE5 inhibitors, the ability to deliver nitric oxide to penile tissues at sufficient levels that resulted in an erection had proven difficult. Now, as an addition to pills, the FDA recently approved an over-the-counter (non-prescription) ED topical gel that works as a natural vasodilator. When applied directly to penis head, an evaporative action boosts nitric oxide. In clinical studies, the British pharmaceutical worked three times faster than early PDE5 inhibitors.
How to Improve Your Sexual Performance
Younger men typically experience sexual dysfunction due to psychological factors like performance anxiety. However, just like older males, they can experience stress-related ED by worrying over being able to please their partner. On the other hand, key lifestyle factors can contribute to sexual dysfunction at any age. Fortunately, there are a number of things men can do to help improve their sexual health and performance, such as:
Stop Smoking – If you smoke, stop. Smoking tobacco impairs endothelial function by decreasing the formation of nitric oxide while increasing degradation due to oxidative stress. Quitting smoking can help prevent arterial blockages from getting worse while improving blood flow throughout your body. Smoking eventually contributes to a decline in testosterone production, which is the primary male sex hormone that boosts libido and supports optimal sexual function.
Hit the Gym – Get your blood flowing and improve your erections with regular exercise. Incorporate a mix of cardio exercises like walking, running, and swimming along with strength training exercises like weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises. Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to shorter and less rigid erections. Since these play a crucial role in closing off veins that allow blood to drain from the penis, strengthen your pelvic floor muscles with routine Kegel exercises.
Manage Your Weight – According to an article published in the National Institute of Health, being severely overweight is a significant risk fact for erectile dysfunction due to possible hormonal imbalances, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, psychological factors, and the lack of physical activity. Erectile problems occur at a considerably greater extent for obesity than aging. By losing weight, you can reduce inflammation, increase nitric oxide, enjoy healthier blood flow and look better naked.
Eat Healthier – Lowering your cholesterol levels helps increase nitric oxide to expand blood vessels and increase blood flow while curbing the build-up of arterial plaque. For men, particularly those with diabetes, even slight spikes in blood sugar levels can hinder the release of nitric oxide, affecting sexual function. By making smart food choices, you can avoid blood sugar spikes and enjoy better sexual performance. Good nutrition benefits your overall health and plays a key role in weight management.
Reduce Stress – Stress and anxiety affect how your brain signals your body’s physical response to all phases of sexual activity. Unfortunately, cortisol hormone that is released in response to physical, emotional and chemical stressors can interrupt the chemical messaging to the penis and hinder the extra blood flow needed for sexual function and performance. Conversely, having an episode of erectile dysfunction can increase stress and anxiety. So, it can become a self-perpetuating cycle.
Limit Alcohol Consumption – Too much alcohol is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction. ED is a common condition that makes it difficult to have or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Although there numerous causes of ED, excess alcohol consumption might get you in the mood but it can leave you hanging. Proper hydration from an alcohol-free beverage like water supports sexual performance in the bedroom as well as physical activities in the gym or on the court.
For optimal men’s health and sexual performance, you need to be aware of how your body works and how it’s responding to the way you live. There are many reasons why a man’s erectile function can suffer during sexual intercourse. So, for starters, schedule an annual male sexual health exam for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment regimen. It is easy to blame your problems in the bedroom on “getting older”, while completely overlooking how certain lifestyle issues may cause your body to pre-maturely begin to break down.
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Men often notice an issue with erectile function when trying to masturbate. And no... masturbation doesn’t cause ED. But whatever is causing your problem will likely intensify under the pressure of sexual intercourse. The most common cause of ED is poor blood flow, which is often easily treated using GAINSWave’s non-invasive approach of no meds and no surgery. Schedule your appointment today with Dr. Earl Eye and launch your journey to better sexual performance.
