4 Best Practices for Boosting Sexual Function

It’s amazing what a happy and healthy sex life can do for your overall wellness. And when you struggle in this area, that connection becomes even more clear.

Sexual dysfunction, or erectile dysfunction (ED), touches the lives of millions of men. In the United States, between 30 and 50 million men have ED at any given time. 

A number of roads lead to issues with sexual function, but a few are more common than others. In this post, Dr. Robert J. Cornell provides you with four best practices for boosting your sexual function.

1. Shed excess pounds

Nearly three-quarters of Americans are either overweight or have obesity, and obesity is tied to ED.

The link between obesity and ED is often indirect, but it's there. For example, people with obesity often have atherosclerosis (blockages in the arteries) from eating fatty foods. But the penis needs good blood flow to achieve an erection.

Obesity also changes your metabolic environment, which can decrease testosterone and promote insulin resistance — both of which are major risk factors for ED.

Yet, research shows weight loss can improve ED and sexual function. It can also boost your mental health and sexual confidence, so it’s a win all the way around.

2. Stay on top of testosterone levels

We touched on testosterone levels and obesity, but testosterone deficiency isn’t only tied to excess weight. It’s more tied to age: 40% of men over the age of 45 have low testosterone levels, as well as half of men in their 80s. 

So, if you’re experiencing problems with sexual function, we’ll measure your testosterone levels to see if this is contributing.

3. Reduce stress

There’s no shortage of stress these days, and ED just compounds the issue.

We can’t say enough about the impact that stress and anxiety can have on sexual function. After all, every erection starts with arousal, and your mental and emotional health directly affects that.

Find ways to lower your stress levels through exercise, mindfulness practices, or both. You’ll function better on every level, including sexually.

4. Consider alternatives, such as penile implants

If your ED is here to stay and you’ve tried everything to address it, you might consider a penile implant. 

A penile implant helps you achieve an erection without interfering with other aspects of your sexual function, such as orgasms. Modern penile implants are subtle, effective, and can bring a good deal of pleasure back to your bedroom.

Take charge of your sexual health

If you want to get to the bottom of your sexual function issues to improve your sex life, start with an evaluation so you know where to direct your efforts. To set that up, simply contact our Houston office to schedule an appointment.