How to Increase Blood Flow to the Penis Naturally

How to Increase Blood Flow to the Penis Naturally

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to maintain or even achieve an erection after arousal.

The discomfort and mental stress caused by these symptoms can be overwhelming and lead to a loss of confidence, which can undermine your sexual health. Fortunately, there are a variety of lifestyle changes, therapies, and medications available to treat erectile dysfunction.

If you are struggling with erectile dysfunction, know that you are not alone. The global prevalence of erectile dysfunction is estimated to affect 322 million men by 2025.

Before considering how to overcome erectile dysfunction, it is important to understand its underlying causes. Understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction can help you identify areas of your life that require intervention.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction or impotence occurs when your body cannot supply enough blood to the penis.

When you are aroused, nerves in your brain send chemical messages that cause blood to flow to your penis.

Physical and psychological conditions may prevent you from achieving and maintaining an erection.

Physical Factors

Certain health problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, can reduce blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.

Some conditions correlate more strongly with sexual dysfunction than others. It is estimated that up to 75% of men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction. In fact, the onset of erectile dysfunction may occur 10 to 15 years earlier in men with diabetes.

Age is another big risk factor for developing erectile dysfunction. Up to 50% of men may experience some form of sexual dysfunction by their 50s.

Other physical factors that may cause erectile dysfunction include:

• High blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Brain or spinal cord injury
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Certain medications, mainly those that alter hormone balance or blood circulation

Psychological Factors

Performance anxiety can have a major impact on your ability to achieve and maintain an erection. In many cases, anxiety can snowball into a big mess. If you have had erection problems once, you may be worried that you will have erection problems again the next time you have sex. Performance anxiety is one of the most common reasons why healthy men get weak during sex.

You are probably familiar with the expression “where the mind goes, the body follows.” In the case of erectile dysfunction, this is certainly true.

Other psychological factors can also cause erectile dysfunction.

• Relationship problems
• Stress
• Lack of physical attraction to sexual partners

How is it diagnosed?

There is a strong link between obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and erectile dysfunction. If you have a health condition that is related to sexual dysfunction, your doctor or medical professional should make sure that the symptoms are properly managed, as poorly managed symptoms can have a major impact on your overall health.

If you don’t have a pre-existing condition, your GP may order tests such as blood pressure measurements and blood tests. These tests can measure your blood sugar, testosterone, thyroid, and cholesterol levels. Uncontrolled levels can cause erectile dysfunction. So, your doctor’s first job is to check them.

Your doctor will ask you a few questions to find clues to identify the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction and how to overcome it. For example, lack of morning erections or a decreased libido could indicate low testosterone levels. Frequent urination, chronic headaches, dizziness, and lethargy could be signs of diabetes. Chronic headaches can also be related to high blood pressure.

Tips to Increase Blood Flow to the Penis

Here are 10 tips to improve blood circulation.

1. Exercise

Physical activity not only increases blood circulation, but it also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (the “happy hormones”). This improves mood and helps regulate psychological factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction.

2. Stretching

Pelvic floor exercises and stretches can help you achieve harder erections. Stretching and opening your groin improves blood circulation. The more you target this area, the more control you will have over your pelvic floor muscles, which will help you control orgasms and prolong erections. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Regardless of age, there is a direct correlation between obesity and a higher incidence of male sexual dysfunction. Being overweight or carrying too much body fat can also lower your testosterone levels and suppress your libido. A decreased libido can manifest as a physical symptom of not being able to get an erection strong enough for intercourse.

Studies have shown that there is an association between weight loss and improved sexual function. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight should be incorporated into your overall prevention protocol.

3. Quit Smoking

The nicotine in cigarettes acts as a vasoconstrictor, effectively reducing blood flow in the body. Not only is nicotine carcinogenic, it can also damage blood vessels and reduce lung capacity.

Preventing erectile dysfunction requires good blood circulation, so quitting smoking can help reduce the damage. Better cardiovascular health means smoother blood flow and you can stay in bed longer.

4. Stay Hydrated

Since 90% of plasma is water, staying hydrated helps it circulate better. Dehydration reduces blood volume, which means your organs can’t receive as much oxygen and nutrients. Drinking water regularly throughout the day is a simple and effective way to prepare your body for sex.

One study looked at the impact of mild dehydration on cognitive function and mood and found that drinking water several times a day may play a key role in improving mood and athletic performance. Erectile dysfunction is both a physiological and physical enemy, so staying well hydrated can help fight it on both fronts.

5. Stress Management

Men who suffer from high stress levels and other anxiety disorders are prime candidates for developing erectile dysfunction.

When you feel stressed, it becomes harder to relax and focus on the good things in life. This situation accompanied by increased stress can promote increased cortisol production in the body, which can lead to poor cognitive responses and blood sugar imbalances.

These abnormal anxiety responses can distract you from the sexual stimuli that cause erections and impair your ability to relax and enjoy sex. When you are highly stressed, hormones are released into your bloodstream that creates a “fight or flight” response. In this instinctual state, sex takes a back seat.

6. Sleep

Lack of quality sleep can impair cognitive function and lead to the manifestation of psychological factors that cause erectile dysfunction. In addition, sleeping less than the recommended 8 hours can lead to physical weakness, such as poor circulation and low testosterone levels.

7. Eat foods that promote blood flow to the penis

You become what you eat. Therefore, eating foods that improve blood circulation and stimulate testosterone production is a way to reduce the risk of sexual disorders. Besides drug treatments, your doctor or pharmacist will likely advise you that a balanced diet is the most important way to improve erectile function.

A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients promotes blood circulation throughout the body.

Foods and ingredients that improve blood circulation include:

• Fatty fish: Salmon and other fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, contribute to healthy blood pressure.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon has a variety of anti-inflammatory properties, dilating and relaxing blood vessels, promoting blood circulation.
• Fruits: Citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. These help eliminate toxins from the body and manage the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, which help relax and dilate blood vessels.
• Spinach and Leafy Vegetables: Leafy vegetables such as kale and arugula are essential in your diet, as they are rich in nitric oxide, a chemical that helps arteries dilate and improve blood flow.
• Coffee: Many men will be relieved to know that their morning routine can improve the quality of their erections. This is because caffeine relaxes the smooth muscles in the penis and improves blood circulation. Research suggests that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of developing symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
• Nuts: Walnuts, cashews, and pistachios boost good cholesterol levels and prevent bad cholesterol from blocking blood supply to the arteries. Pistachios, in particular, are rich in arginine, which promotes the production of nitric oxide, which is beneficial for the penis.
• Spicy foods: Chili peppers, hot sauces, and other spicy foods and ingredients increase testosterone. Spicy foods boost your metabolism, and a boosted metabolism is often associated with higher testosterone levels. When you eat spicy foods, your liver converts cholesterol into pregnenolone, a steroid hormone. Pregnenolone is converted into dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is then converted into testosterone. The result? Spice up your kitchen and you might as well spice up your bed.
• Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate, rich in flavonoids, improves heart health and boosts blood circulation.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is rich in curcumin, which, when consumed regularly, helps boost blood circulation and reduce inflammation. Turmeric is a spice commonly used in curries, mustard, butter, and some cheeses.
• Garlic: Garlic breath is an ingredient to avoid during sex, but studies have shown that garlic may have a positive effect on blood circulation.
• Onions: Onions are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. Consuming these dilates the arteries and promotes blood flow to the penis.

8. Foods to avoid when you have erectile dysfunction

While some healthy foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, some can impede blood flow and promote erectile dysfunction attacks. If you have erectile dysfunction, you should avoid foods that are high in salt, sugar, and trans-fatty acids.

• Excessive salt intake can damage blood vessels and restrict blood flow to the penis.
• Eating too much sugar increases the risk of diabetes, which increases the chances of erectile dysfunction.
• Trans-fatty acids have no real nutritional benefits and can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity. Obesity is associated with a significant risk of impotence.

9. Vitamins and Supplements

A healthy diet alone may not meet all your nutritional needs.

Here are some vitamins and supplements you can take to improve blood flow to the penis.

• Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for optimal health. Some studies suggest that a deficiency may be correlated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
• Red ginseng, also known as the “botanical Viagra,” is also thought to improve blood circulation and have a positive effect on the heart.
• L-arginine stimulates the production of nitric oxide, which may improve blood flow in the arteries of the penis.
• L-carnitine improves blood circulation and promotes sperm production.

10. Medications that improve blood flow to the penis

PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, work by improving blood flow to the penis. They are the only clinically proven treatments available on the market.

Erectile dysfunction medications, such as sildenafil (sold as Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra), work by inhibiting the production of the PDE5 enzyme, which causes arterial constriction. When taken correctly as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist, these medications increase blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.

Here’s how the current mainstream prescription medications promote hard, healthy erections:

• Viagra: Also known as the “blue pill,” it is taken about 60 minutes before sexual activity and its effects last for 4-5 hours. Viagra is available in doses of 25 mg, 50 mg (recommended starting dose), and 100 mg.
• Sildenafil: Sildenafil, the generic version of Viagra, takes effect within 30-60 minutes and is available in doses of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Sildenafil is considered a safe and effective long-term treatment for erectile dysfunction. It contains the same ingredients as Viagra, so it has similar effects to Viagra and is considered a very economical alternative.
• Cialis: This medication offers two options for achieving a firm erection. “Cialis Daily” is taken in doses of 2.5 mg or 5 mg, ensuring a continuous supply of the drug. This treatment is ideal for those who value spontaneity in their sex life, as the drug is permanently present in the body. Cialis 36 hour, or “weekend tablet,” also comes in doses of 10 mg and 20 mg, providing up to 36 hours of effectiveness.
• Tadalafil: The generic version of Cialis, tadalafil, is available in doses of 2.5 mg or 5 mg for sustained effects, and 10 mg and 20 mg for sustained effects. One of the newer drugs used to treat impotence; tadalafil has quickly become one of the most popular on the market.
• Vardenafil: Available in tablets of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg, vardenafil or Levitra can last up to four hours when taken about 25 minutes before sexual activity. Vardenafil tablets are more potent than sildenafil, so a smaller dosage is needed.

Which popular erectile dysfunction medication is best for you?

Among the common medications for erectile dysfunction currently available, sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Levitra) are the most popular. But which is best for you, sildenafil or tadalafil? Tadalafil has a longer duration of action and a quicker onset of effects, but some men prefer sildenafil. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference that will determine which one gives you the best results.

In summary

There are several ways to naturally increase blood flow to the penis. The goal is to get as much blood circulating as possible throughout your body, including your lower body.

If symptoms of erectile dysfunction persist after making diet and lifestyle changes, it’s important to consult a doctor, as they may indicate an uncontrollable health problem that requires intervention.

Medications such as sildenafil and tadalafil are available that increase blood flow to the penis. Other devices, such as penis rings, are also popular. A combination of medical advice and experimentation in bed could be the perfect solution to beat erectile dysfunction symptoms for good.