Erectile dysfunction is a situation in which a man is not able to maintain an erection. Having this issue sometimes is not a cause of concern but if it always happens then it can cause stress, affect the person’s mental health, lower self-esteem and hamper their relationship. The symptoms of erectile dysfunction are: –
- When you have trouble getting an erection
- When you face trouble keeping an erection
- Your sexual desire has reduced
It is a good idea to see a doctor if you are facing this issue. You should also see the doctor immediately in case you have any other health issue like diabetes or any heart condition as they may be linked to erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction arises due to medical deformity in physical structures, besides in most instances psychological abilities.
Physical structural reasons include
- Heart related disease or health condition
- High cholesterol
- High- blood pressure (HT)
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Sleep disorders
Psychological causes include
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Any other mental health condition
- Relationship issues
Erectile dysfunction can cause many complications such as unsatisfactory sex life, stress, anxiety, embarrassment, low self-esteem, and inability to get your partner pregnant. There are few ways you can prevent this condition like keeping a track of your health and doing regular physical activity. You can also stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake. One should consult their doctor for regular check-ups which can help prevent this condition. But now if a person has erectile dysfunction then they should definitely see their doctor and some studies also suggest that vitamins can also help cure this condition.
Vitamins are important for our body. They help our body to function properly. We need to take vitamins in our daily routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are few studies that suggest that there are some vitamins that can help this condition. These vitamins include: –
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B9
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin C
Now let us see what is the relationship between these vitamins and this condition and how can these vitamins help it.
1. Vitamin D
Some studies have found that there is some link between vitamin D deficiency and erectile dysfunction. Vitamin D can reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, then increasing your intake of vitamin D can help you build a stronger immunity and improve your bone health. Sunlight is known to be the main source of vitamin D. If a person gets their skin exposed to sunlight, then they can get more vitamin D however it is important to protect your skin from UV damage by applying SPF. There are some foods that are rich in vitamin D which include: –
- Egg yolk
- Cheese
- Fatty fish
- Mushrooms
- Cow’s milk
- Orange juice
- Yogurt
People who cannot take vitamin D from sunlight can definitely start including these foods in their diet.
2. Vitamin B9
This vitamin is also known as folic acid can also be related to erectile dysfunction. Some studies suggest that vitamin B9 can improve heart function which can also help in improving erectile dysfunction. A daily intake of folic acid can uplift the mood and can also help with stress which is also a cause of erectile dysfunction. Foods that are rich in vitamin B9 include: –
- Green leafy vegetables
- Legumes like beans and peas
- Eggs
- Citrus fruits
- Banana
- Broccoli
- Papaya
- Rice
- Avocado
Excess of folic acid can also cause issues like bloating, sleep disorder, and depression so one should be careful and take proper amounts of this vitamin.
3. Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 also known as niacin can also improve the symptoms of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. It helps in decreasing high blood pressure and also helps high cholesterol which is also the cause of erectile dysfunction. The foods which include this vitamin are: –
- Chicken breast
- Tuna
- Peas
- Avocado
- Mushrooms
- Peanuts
- Brown rice
4. Vitamin C
Studies suggest that Vitamin C can help in improving blood flow. It is an important vitamin for the growth and development of the body tissues. Even if it will not help with erectile dysfunction, there is no harm in taking it as it also boosts our immunity. The foods that are rich in vitamin C include: –
- Berries like strawberries and blueberries
- Citrus fruits
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
- Tomatoes
Now that we know about these vitamins, the main question is that when should a person start taking vitamins for this condition instead of medications. While there is limited evidence that vitamins are actually effective in treating erectile dysfunction, there is no harm in taking these vitamins. At times, your doctor may also suggest these vitamins to you. With the medications. Sometimes a person may not be able to tolerate the medications, then vitamins come to your rescue.
There are some lifestyle changes that are definitely required with the medication and also with the vitamins to improve this condition. These changes include: –
- Following a balanced diet and exercising
By now, we are aware that obesity is also one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. One needs to be in their normal weight range and this can happen only with maintaining a balanced diet and doing some physical activity regularly. It can help in improving this condition.
- Reducing Stress
Stress is also one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. Stress can reduce your blood flow to the penis which can have problems in erection. One needs to learn the ways to manage stress. This condition can also cause stress or anxiety. If this is the case, then a person may need professional help.
- Quit smoking
Smoking can decrease our blood flow and it can also damage our blood vessels. It is also known to be a cause of erectile dysfunction. Studies show that quitting smoking can actually improve your sexual function.
- Dealing with your relationship issues
Stress can have a negative impact on our health. It can also hamper two people’s sexual relationships. If there is some problem in the relationship, then the partners may not enjoy their sex life also. If you think that your relationship issues can be the cause of your erectile dysfunction, then it is very important to speak to your partner about the issues in your relationship. If things do not work out, you can even talk to a professional to help you with such issues.
These were some of the lifestyle changes which a person can make along with the vitamins and medications and they can help improve this condition. It may be embarrassing for some people to even talk about this condition. But if you are someone who is facing difficulty in maintaining an erection, then you definitely should consult a doctor for their advice. It is a common issue which many people face and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is just that people do not want to talk about it.
Conclusion
Erectile dysfunction can have a number of causes. There are few studies that actually suggest that this condition can be improved by taking vitamins particularly vitamin D, B3, B9, and C. All these vitamins are very important for sexual health. It is very easy to get these vitamins through sunlight or food.
These days, there are a lot of supplements also available in the market for these vitamins. Supplements have become popular over time as not everyone can include all these foods in their diet and it is not possible for everyone to get sunlight. These supplements are easily available in the market but it is still better to consult a doctor before consuming any kind of supplements.
It is also very important to know the cause of this issue before working on it. As there are so many causes of erectile dysfunction, it can be a little difficult to figure out the cause for you. In this case, a doctor can help you determine the cause of your problem. In case someone has stress or anxiety and that is the cause of concern, then one can take professional help and you may not even need supplements or these vitamins.
In case you or your partner is going through this issue, then it is really important to support the other individual. This condition can be really frustrating and cause a lot of mental health problems so it becomes very important for the other person to support their partner. This issue can also cause complications in the relationship of two people but it is important to know that this is not the end. It can be cured if some lifestyle changes are made and the instructions of the doctor are followed properly.
There is definitely no harm in taking the vitamins as vitamins are very important for our body. Vitamins are a good option if medications are not working for you or they can be taken even with the medications. However, one should keep in mind that excess of everything is also bad so these vitamins should also be taken in the right quantity. Taking excess vitamins can also cause a few health issues so it is best to consult your doctor before taking any kind of vitamins.