What works against erectile dysfunction

omega3

Senior member
Feb 19, 2015
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Have hit 40 and strong erections aren't what they used to be, so was wondering what works and what not cause there is so much (des)information out there.

So not a problem to get aroused (libido), I'm talking about getting and holding strong erection.

Please also mention which dosage to use and side effects.

I've listed a couple of things here:

- Tadalafil (Cialis), Avanafil (Stendra), Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) and Sildenafil (Viagra).. which dosage, side effects, if you tried or know about multiple.. comparison

- L-arginine: is it true you need like 5000mg a day for this to work? side-effects?

- panax ginseng? dosage, side-fxs?

- caffeine good or bad?

- other things you can recommend and what to avoid for sure?

Thanks for all good feedback.
 
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Zivic

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2002
3,505
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91
go to your endo and have him give you a script for test and viagra
 

omega3

Senior member
Feb 19, 2015
616
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How is your overall health/weight/bp?
Condition is ok, just a bit overweight.. i'm 40 so i don't think it's that strange to have some ED.. just wanted to hear what stuff people have tried.. is cialis still the most popular over viagra and the others?.. and what about natural things like certain dosages of arginine etc..
 

ArchAngel777

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
5,223
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Quit looking at pr0n. Seriously. Time magazine even recently has an issue on this. This will cure ED, especially since something like 80-90% of men are pr0n users.
 
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pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
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i don't think it's that strange to have some ED..


For a healthy 40 year old, there is nothing "normal" about ED.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/basics/causes/con-20034244
Physical causes of erectile dysfunction

In most cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include:

Heart disease
Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Obesity
Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
Parkinson's disease
Multiple sclerosis
Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
Certain prescription medications
Tobacco use
Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
Sleep disorders
Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction

The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement. A number of things can interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. These include:

Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
Stress
Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns
 
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omega3

Senior member
Feb 19, 2015
616
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For a healthy 40 year old, there is nothing "normal" about ED.
Don't know how old you are, but are you saying that at 40 you can perform just as easily as when you were 20?

Also, that list seems to pretty much include everything, like where do you start?

Will see my endo soon though.
 

Ban Bot

Senior member
Jun 1, 2010
796
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- L-arginine: is it true you need like 5000mg a day for this to work? side-effects?

- panax ginseng? dosage, side-fxs?

- caffeine good or bad?

Arginine is broken down in the kidneys so you get very little into your blood stream. L-citrulline results in a higher plasma concentration l-arginine. 2,400mg/day to 3 grams per day of l-citrulline is what I have seen in some studies.

Other supplements with some pro side effects; I have found examine.com a good way to sort through these. Panax ginseng is listed as having a mild effect, the first two below may be better and can be purchased cheaply in bulk powder on Amazon (have not tried either).

Epimedium (horny goat weed; contains Icariin which are mild PDE5 inhibitors)
Tongkat ali (longjack)
Yohimbine
Maca
Tribulus terrestris

But as others mentioned: talk to your doctor first.
 

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,133
5,072
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Don't know how old you are, but are you saying that at 40 you can perform just as easily as when you were 20?

Also, that list seems to pretty much include everything, like where do you start?

Will see my endo soon though.

I'm in my mid 40's.

You need to decide for yourself if you actually have dysfunction or if you chasing some "idea" of what you think should be happening. You do not want to start relying on stuff like that if everything is in proper working order. You don't want to end up with a psychological dependence on drugs to get things going.
 

SP33Demon

Lifer
Jun 22, 2001
27,929
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Quit looking at pr0n. Seriously. Time magazine even recently has an issue on this. This will cure ED, especially since something like 80-90% of men are pr0n users.

This. Plus if you want to really increase your libido, try some Tribulus terrestris (a gram a day). And also I've heard L-Arginine helps with hardness but never tried it.
 

Ban Bot

Senior member
Jun 1, 2010
796
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This. Plus if you want to really increase your libido, try some Tribulus terrestris (a gram a day). And also I've heard L-Arginine helps with hardness but never tried it.

If he wants to go the Arginine route he should look at L-citrulline as I noted above. As examine.com notes on L-arginine:

L-Citrulline is another supplementation option because it is converted into arginine in the kidneys. It also has a better absorption rate. Citrulline is able to increase levels of plasma arginine more effective than arginine itself. For long-term health-related supplementation, L-citrulline may be a better supplementation option than L-arginine.
 

LetsDoWellness

Junior Member
Apr 17, 2016
3
1
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Try a plant based diet

Your penis is an organ and much like your heart can be affected by cholesterol and a high fat diet based on animal products (containing saturated or trans fats). A plant based diet should help lower cholesterol, thus improving blood flow to all areas resulting in possibly bigger and harder erections. Along with this comes a slew of added health benefits such lower heart disease risk, lower cancer risk, lower type 2 diabetes risk, and many other things.

Sidenote: ED can be an early sign of heart disease
 
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magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
10,973
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Try a plant based diet

Your penis is an organ and much like your heart can be affected by cholesterol and a high fat diet based on animal products (containing saturated or trans fats). A plant based diet should help lower cholesterol, thus improving blood flow to all areas resulting in possibly bigger and harder erections. Along with this comes a slew of added health benefits such lower heart disease risk, lower cancer risk, lower type 2 diabetes risk, and many other things.

Sidenote: ED can be an early sign of heart disease

Ding Ding. In many instances ED is simply the coalmine canary of heart disease.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQuJxN9uP7w
 
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Adam595

Member
Jul 29, 2016
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I saw a UK documentary thing where several people with erectile dysfunction were told to take several raw garlic cloves after every meal (swallowed whole with water). It seems too good to be true but it worked for them. I saw it ages ago and can't remember many of the details but it blew my mind that it worked. If it's true then it should be common practice for people with ED. They didn't need to change their diet (apart from adding the raw cloves) or do any exercise or anything.

Edit: I think it was a BBC documentary. This is from their website: "We took eight willing volunteers with erectile dysfunction and fed them four cloves of raw garlic every day for three months to see if we could improve their chances of maintaining an erection, and, in the long-term prevent more serious risks of disease."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/healthy/erectiledysfunction.shtml

It doesn't mentioned the outcome though on their site but I remember clearly that it worked.

Edit: I found a reference to the documentary on another forum, for the sceptics ;) "A few years ago I watch a great BBC documentary about an experiment done with people suffering from erectile dysfunction. The results were great, all of them recovered. Tried to find the documentary on the web but couldn't."

http://www.thedaobums.com/topic/43089-raw-garlic/
 
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SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
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Are you on any antidepressants? I'm particularly thinking about SSRIs like Lexapro or Celexa. Those are notorious for impacting sexual function.
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
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Exercise and get healthy. Change your diet to include more vegetables, raw foods, less carbs and cut down on alcohol.

Those things will make a difference.

What you really need to do is figure out how to help your body generate natural testosterone. That's what you're lacking....we all start losing it more rapidly in our 30's and 40's... Hitting the gym and proper diet are what it takes.

http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/07/27/increase-testosterone-levels.aspx

You don't want to take supplements because your body will start to depend on them and maybe create a real problem for you down the line. Exercise and eat right....there's sadly no quick fix, but you'll see results faster than you think. Take your progress 6 or 12 weeks at a time.
 
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Micrornd

Golden Member
Mar 2, 2013
1,279
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You should also look into any medications you take.
The meds they give you after having heart problems to prevent any future problems often cause ED.
A good urologist will work with your other doctors to solve med related problems.
 

DonPapotti

Junior Member
Aug 14, 2019
5
0
11
Hi, I'll summarize my story for you. Autoimmune diseases. When I was 23 years old they detected venous leakage in my penis. They suggested me to use a pump and even to operate with prosthesis (very expensive).
I tell you what improved me:
1. No gluten, milk or soy.
Only water, if it is from a spring better.
Avoid artificial blue light through blueblockers lenses.
Sunbathe to have vitamin d and d3.
Eat more omega3.
Try to sleep before 22,
7.Move
8.Have healthier social relationships .
Avoid as much as possible antennas, wifi, etc..
Hug, weight that helps you.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator