Zinc and erectile dysfunction

Zinc is a naturally occurring metallic element. Certain types of vegetable, meats and seafood are rich in zinc.

Erectile dysfunction is a man's inability to achieve a penetrable erection. It is one of the most common sexual problems faced by men of all ages. Zinc helps the body to produce testosterone and thus the levels of zinc in a person's body may affect erectile dysfunction.

A host of factors ranging from nutritional deficiency to clinical depression can lead to the condition. In recent years, deficiency of zinc has been found to be the cause of ed. Apart from producing testosterone, zinc is used for metabolism purposes, DNA and protein production and cell division.

Most studies related to male infertility show a clear concise relationship between zinc and ed. During a study some young men were given a diet which included very little amounts of zinc and thus they developed a zinc deficiency. When testosterone levels were measured after 20 weeks of low-zinc diet it was found that the level of the hormone had drastically reduced. The study also found that in elderly men, with an increase in the uptake of zinc, testosterone levels nearly doubled.

Research on animals established the fact that relationship rats who were given 5 milligrams of zinc supplement a day, were found to be sexually active to a greater extent. It concluded that zinc had an impact in the arousal and maintaining of an erection in men.

Zinc deficiency can also reduce the sense of smell in person. A sense of smell is vital to libido, especially more in young men. Thus, it can cause a person to lose the ability to detect certain chemicals that stimulate arousal.

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Related Tip: Knowing Erectile Dysfunction. PART 2: Management and Treatment

Zinc and Erectile Dysfunction - How is it related?

Type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction may appear as different ailments but they do have a connection. Reports suggest men suffering from type 2 diabetes are likely to experience erectile dysfunction. Moreover, diabetic people suffer from erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than others.
Reason: 
The reason behind the connection between the two ailments is quite complex. The whole scenario involves deterioration in nerves, muscle functioning and blood vessels. For successful penetration of penis, body requires healthy functioning of blood vessels, nerves, hormones and sexual desire. Type-2 diabetes hamper the proper functioning of these blood vessels and nerves, thus posing a potential threat to a successful sexual intercourse. Diabetes becomes a big obstacle in obtaining a firm erection. Also, non-regulated flow of blood through these blood vessels adds up to the problem.

Factors contributing to erectile dysfunction due to diabetes
Complexities due to type-2 diabetes increases exponentially when aided with following risk factors-
1) obesity
2) unbalanced diet
3) non-regulated blood supply
4) excessive smoking and drinking
5) excessive stress and hypertension
6) lack of physical activity
7) blood pressure
8) side effects of medication taken to cure ed

Remedies: 
Given below are few suggestions which, if followed, can bring your sex life back on track.
1) consult doctor- it is better to open up about your sexual concerns and consult a doctor. Hesitating in doing so will only increase your problem. Proper knowledge regarding all your existing ailments will allow him to diagnose properly and help you to regulate your blood sugar level. You may further consult a sexologist for specialized treatment for erectile dysfunction. Through prescribed medicines and some therapies, this issue can be dealt smoothly.
2) practice a healthy lifestyle- stay fit. Reduce your extra weight. Include exercise and meditation in your daily routine. This will help a lot in improving your emotional health. In many cases psychological pressure also contribute in causing impotence. So, try to perform some stress relieving exercises to curb down this psychological factor.
3) avoid drinking and smoking. Smoking diminishes the quantity of required nitric oxide which in turn lowers down the blood flow to penis. This increases chances of erectile dysfunction to a greater extent. Excessive drinking destroys your blood vessels, thereby posing a serious threat to your sex life.
4) take a proper diet- a balanced diet pays a major role in checking and controlling the blood sugar level. This step will definitely decrease the harm done to your blood vessels and nerves.
5) get enough sleep and keep yourself astray from the harmful effects of fatigue.
6) talk with your partner- it is necessary that you discuss freely regarding your sexual problems with your partner. This will help you in gaining confidence, release stress and perform better.
Follow the above suggestions and choose a healthy lifestyle for a safe and pleasing sex life.

Type 2 Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual problems might mean you have a broken heart, literally. The most common sexual problem in men is erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction affects >30% of men between 40 and 70 years of age. There are several different causes of ED, including depression, low testosterone, neurological problems, and some medications, such as beta blocker but the most common cause is a problem with the blood vessels called atherosclerosis.
Erectile dysfunction is frequently a sign of atherosclerosis, that can be the first clue to heart disease in men. It usually comes 3 to 5 years before a heart attack, so after ED is diagnosed, there is time to treat atherosclerosis and prevent a heart attack.
Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease
Decreased sexual activity and function are common in patients with CVD and are often interrelated to anxiety and depression. In fact research has proved that there is a strong link between erectile dysfunction and heart disease. Studies have shown that if a man has ED, he has a greater risk of having heart disease. For instance, in one study, 57% of men who had bypass surgery and 64% of men hospitalized for a heart attack had had ED.
Several having ED can predict that a man will probably have heart disease symptoms within five years. In fact, having ED is as much a risk factor for heart disease as a history of smoking or a family history of coronary artery disease.
The Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Programme (SHEEP) study of post-MI patients (50% women) found that those who were sedentary had a higher risk of MI with sexual activity (relative risk 4.4) than did those who were physically active (relative risk 0.7).
How is the Heart and ED Related?
Deposition of cholesterol in the arteries causing atherosclerosis is taken as the most important reason for ED as the plaque formation reduces the blood flow in the penis, thereby affecting the erection process. However the latest studies show that ED is also due to the dysfunction of the inner lining of the blood vessels (endothelium) and smooth muscle. This causes inadequate blood supply to the heart and the penis which also aids in arthrosclerosis. Hence ED and heart disease are found to be inter related.
What to do?
If you are suffering from ED or heart disease , it is best to discuss your concerns with a specialist - for the heart a cardiologist and for the ED a urologist.

How Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiac Problems are Related

Link between Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation

Erectile Dysfunction is the inability of a man to achieve a penetrable erection while premature ejaculation is a man's inability to take control of his ejaculations during or before sexual intercourse. These conditions are two of the most common sexual dysfunctions observed among men. The prevalence of these two conditions can be found among all socioeconomic groups and among men of varying ages.

The incidence of premature ejaculation is higher and hence more common among both young and old men. Studies show that an estimated 40% of men suffer from the condition of premature ejaculation. On the other end, research also reveals that erectile dysfunction is associated with advancing age though a host of other factors like diabetes, kidney and heart diseases and certain medications can also be responsible.

How are these two conditions actually related?

It is found that in most men who have been primarily diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, the secondary concern has been premature ejaculation. The reason for both the problems is more or less the inadequate flow of blood to the penis required for a penetrable erection.

Moreover, in some cases, it was found that premature ejaculation occurred when a person was diagnosed with both mild and acute erectile dysfunction. In a similar manner, it was found that among men who suffered from ED and required constant stimulation to maintain a penetrable erection found out the instances of occurrence of premature ejaculation was high.

In some cases, it was found that the chief cause of erectile dysfunction was premature ejaculation. Because of these reasons, the two conditions are often found to co-exist and overlap one another.

In cases where both the conditions exist, treatment for ED is recommended to be sought first.

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What is the Link between Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation?

Ayurvedic Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction in men is the condition that signifies the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. Also known as impotence, it creates a great problem for a man and his partner in terms of sexual function.

The cause of erectile dysfunction can be physical, medical, or psychological in nature. Sexual prowess and libido in men are affected by various systems of the body and the mind.

Some of the most commonly occurring causes are:

- Old age
- Stress and anxiety
- Addiction to nicotine and alcohol
- Narcotics abuse
- Physical injuries
- Nervous disorders
- Diabetes
- Obesity and high cholesterol
- Cardiac disease and heart complications

How does Ayurveda provide relief from this problem?

Treatment methods used for erectile dysfunction depend on the specific cause and nature of the condition. Ayurveda provides an effective remedy to the problem of impotence through long-established healing methods. Ayurvedic treatment makes use of traditional herbal medicine that cures the condition and prevents it from reoccurring.

In Ashtanga Ayurveda, sexual dysfunction is treated through medication composed of vajikarana herbs. 'Vaji' is the Sanskrit word for a horse, which is an age-old symbol of virility and sexual potency. These herbs have been conventionally used to cure conditions related to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, lack of libido and male infertility.

A few herbs used in vajikarana therapy for treating erectile dysfunction are as follows:

- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
- The 'panchaule' orchid (Dactylorhiza hatagirea)
- Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum)
- Kali Musli (Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.)

Scientific tests and studies have shown that these ayurvedic herbs are effective in providing a remedy for the problem of impotence in men. This form of therapy takes a holistic approach  treating and curing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction by eliminating the root cause of the problem. The greatest advantage of this treatment method is that there are no side effects. Relapses of the condition also do not occur.

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Ayurvedic Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

A few physical conditions can render intense mental distress as well, and one such condition is Erectile Dysfunction in men. A majority of the men facing the problem feel uncomfortable disclosing the problem of erectile dysfunction. Affecting more than 30 million men worldwide, ED or erectile dysfunction continues to damage their sexual life. However, this condition is very much treatable and nothing at all to hide or embarrassed about.

How can you know that you have erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction refers to a man's failure of having a firm erection for having sexual intercourse. Problems with having an erection are nothing uncommon and are experienced by men half of the time. But when this male sexual problem becomes extremely frequent, then it is termed as erectile dysfunction.

The symptoms caused by erectile dysfunction can vary from one person to another. However, some of the common symptoms that can make one certain that he may be suffering from ED are reduced interest in intercourse or sex, facing difficulty in getting a firm erection and trouble in maintaining the erection for long during different sexual activities. Apart from these, some sexual disorders like delayed ejaculation or premature ejaculation and inability to achieve an orgasm, even after enough stimulation are some its symptoms too.

What causes Erectile Dysfunction?
When it comes to the causes of erectile dysfunction, there is a variety of them. For every different individual, the factors making him suffer from erectile dysfunction can be different. Some of the very common causes of erectile dysfunction are, suffering from hypertension, anxiety due to relationship problems, alcohol or drug use, excessive stress, cardiovascular disease, being overweight, any injury or damage due to cancer or any kind of surgery etc. It is not necessary that any one cause to be responsible behind ED, several factors can also cause erectile dysfunction.

Treatment options-
Depending on the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction, there are various treatment options available. From different oral medications to implants or surgeries, psychological counseling, various treatments are now available for treating erectile dysfunction. There are even different erection creating device and exercises that can put an end to erection dysfunction. There are also penile implants and alternative medications available. However, one must look for the guidance of a medical professional before opting for any of the treatment options. Because it is only a medical professional who can analyze the condition of ED, find out the exact cause behind it and suggest the best treatment that can help one in dealing with this condition.

Experiencing trouble in erection from time to time is nothing to be concerned about. However, when this condition turns into an ongoing one that happens every time one feels interested in intercourse or is sexually aroused, then the person should not hesitate anymore in seeking a consultation with a doctor.

Erectile Dysfunction- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment!

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