Men’s health is an important area of healthcare that naturopathy has a great role in supporting. Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition affecting approximately 40% of men in Australia. There are a variety of potential causes that may be contributing to your symptoms which are discussed below. Booking in with one of our naturopaths can help you determine what is influencing your symptoms. There are lots of simple dietary and lifestyle changes that you can employ to see improvements, with a naturopath also able to prescribe herbal and nutritional supplements for further support. This may be a difficult topic however these is no judgement or reason to be embarrassed. Read on for some more information about erectile dysfunction.
Potential Causes
- Circulatory – poor blood flow to the penis and around the body which may be due to diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Psychological – stress, relationship issues, low mood, depression
- Sleep apnoea
- Hormonal – low testosterone levels and high prolactin
- Increasing age
- Medications
- Renal – kidney issues or complications
- Neurogenic – nerve damage, surgery, infections
- Thyroid – over or underactive thyroid function
- Smoking – causes inflammatory damage, poor circulation
- Obesity – leads to hormonal changes, poor blood flow and reduced oxygen circulation + inflammation
- Excess alcohol – this results in the inflammatory damage to penile blood vessels
Naturopathic Aims
- Nervous system and stress support
- Hormone production support
- Supporting circulation and blood vessel health
- Supporting nitric oxide release
- Enhancing overall vitality, energy and health
- Supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Improving lifestyle and dietary factors
Diet recommendations
- Increase your fruit and vegetable consumption
- Aim for adequate but not excessive protein intakes – a palm sized portion of protein rich foods with each meal is a good start – legumes, nuts, seeds, organic tofu/tempeh, quinoa
- Reduce excess caffeine
- Increase whole grains and reduce refined, processed carbohydrates (white breads, white pasta etc) and choose things like quinoa, brown rice, oats, and barley
- Include healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds
- Follow a Mediterranean style diet – this focuses on lots of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, wholegrains, omega 3’s and olive oil. Check out our blog here on this diet style!
- Eat less red meat, salt, sugar, alcohol and trans fats
Lifestyle recommendations
- Engage in regular exercise – find a form you enjoy!
- Manage stress levels
- Meditate often
- Quit smoking
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Consider counselling support for yourself and potentially couples counselling to support your relationship
Herbs and Nutrients
- Panax ginseng – this herb enhances energy levels, modulates the stress response, improves circulation and nitric oxide (NO) release (NO allows the penile arteries to relax and enhances blood flow to induce and maintain an erection)
- Tribulus – enhances DHEA hormonal levels and is hormone supporting
- Damiana – supports mood and enhances testosterone levels
- Avena – a nutrient rich herb that also offers nervous system support
- Saw palmetto – provides hormonal support and is tonifying for men
- Ginger and Rosemary – circulatory stimulants to enhance blood flow around the body
- Arginine – the amino acid is required for the body to produce NO, supports blood flow and healthy blood vessel function
- Pycnogenol – increases NO levels and is anti-inflammatory
- B vitamins – support energy levels and nervous system health
- Antioxidants – such as vitamins A, C and E, zinc, and selenium to support in reducing inflammatory damage, improving blood flow and blood vessel health and supporting hormone synthesis
- Ginkgo – enhances blood circulation, and improves serotonin release to help with triggering an erection
- Withania – offers nervous system and energy support
Book in a consult with Monique or Candace for support and to discuss if any of the mentioned herbs and nutrients are relevant for you.