HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Erectile Dysfunction
OVERVIEW: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. It is a common problem: The Massachusetts Male Aging Study found that 52% of men aged 40 to 70 years were aff ected by ED.
WHY YOU HAVE ED
Obesity
Overweight and obesity can decrease testosterone and damage blood vessels. One study found that 79% of men with ED were overweight or obese. Men whose body mass index (BMI) was over 30 (considered obese) had three times the risk of ED.
Age
The risk of ED increas- es with age. According to the National Insti- tutes of Health, a man in his 40s has about a 40% risk of ED, and the risk increases by about 10% with each additional decade.
Lifestyle Habits
People who smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal drugs have an increased risk of ED, as these habits can damage blood ves- sels, disrupt hormones, and interfere with the nerve signals needed for a healthy erection.
WHAT TO DO
Health Conditions Medicines
Diabetes has the greatest eff ect on the risk for ED, but heart disease, high blood pressure, and chron- ic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and kidney disease can also increase the odds.
ED can be a side eff ect of many com- mon medications, including blood pres- sure drugs, antide- pressants, sedatives, appetite suppres- sants, and ulcer medications.
Exercise
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that exercis- ing for 30 minutes three times a week could be as eff ective as sildenafil (Viagra) at treating ED.
No Drinks or Cigs
Alcohol can make it more dif icult to get or maintain an erection by interfering with signals between the brain and penis. Alcohol can also reduce testos- terone. Smokers are 51% more likely to have ED than nonsmokers.
Lose Weight
One study found that losing an average of 33 pounds helped over 30% of men regain sex- ual function, likely by improving blood flow, hormone balance, and overall cardiovascular health.
Try DHEA
Dehydroepiandros- terone (DHEA) is a hormone that helps the body make testosterone. DHEA levels decrease with age, which may contribute to reduced li- bido, energy, and sexual function in older adults.
Try L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body produce the va- sodilator nitric oxide, which wid- ens blood vessels and allows more blood flow to the penis. In an analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials, L-arginine significantly improved ED when compared with placebo.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS: If you continue to experience ED, visit your physician. Your doctor will take a history and order tests, including blood counts, testosterone levels, and ultrasound. You may be prescribed an oral medication such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) to help increase blood flow to the penis, or testosterone if tests show your levels are low. If your ED is determined to be caused by a medication, your doctor may recommend a diff erent dose or change in drug. Your physician may also suggest a penile implant, a surgically implanted device that facilitates erection.
SOURCES: Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic; Johns Hopkins Medicine; WebMD; Medical News Today; National Institutes of Health 94 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | SEPTEMBER 2025
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