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Natural Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

What is Impotence-Erectile Dysfunction & What You Can Do About It

Simply put, erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to an inability to achieve and maintain an erection that facilitates sexual satisfaction. This compromise in function can involve sexual intercourse, masturbation, or any sexual pursuit (that requires an erection).   

The causes of ED are myriad, but basically fall into these categories:

By far the most common cause of ED is compromised blood flow to the pelvic region including the penis. This may be due to a narrowing of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol.

Approximately 5.6% of men don't make enough testosterone (male hormone), a deficiency which can cause problems in terms of achieving an erection. But while most men do have an adequate testosterone level in their bodies, this testosterone may not be in a form which is hormonally active called “free testosterone”. This is typically due to excessive binding of the male hormone to carrier proteins that divert it for use in the production of other proteins and hormones. This works against a man’s sexual responsiveness because it is only free testosterone which is the hormonally active form, able to interact with hormone receptors on tissues. Other hormone abnormalities may also cause erection problems.

Many medications can adversely affect interest in and the ability to have satisfying sex. Many drugs used to treat heartburn, high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression can interfere with a man’s ability to achieve a sustain an erection.

During a normal erection, signals from the brain and spinal cord are transmitted through nerves to blood vessels in the pelvis and genitals causing them to dilate and thus allow the penis to fill with blood and become erect. Damage to these nerves caused by diabetes, alcohol abuse, stroke, spinal cord injury and other afflictions can impede or halt their ability to transmit signals which can, in turn, lead to erectile dysfunction.

Depression, anxiety and stress can also contribute to or cause erectile dysfunction. In today’s often “performance focused” sexuality (TV, movies, books, magazines, etc.), some men will grow dissatisfied with their sexual responsiveness or penile dimensions which can lead to frustration, depression or other psychological challenges.

There are only three oral drugs approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction: Sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®) and talalfil (Cialis®). These drugs work by blocking the action of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 or PDE5, which causes the smooth muscle of the arteries in the penis to relax, allowing a set of spongy tissues in the penis called the corpus cavernosum to fill with blood

There are differences in how long each of the aforementioned drug works and how quickly they take effects. Levitra® works a little longer than Viagra®, with both taking effect about 30 minutes after ingestion. With Levitra®, the effects last for about 5 hours. With Viagra®, the effects last approximately 4 hours.

Cialis® takes effect within about 15 minutes of being taken, and can last up to 36 hours in some users.

Internet advertising notwithstanding, there is no natural medicine, herb or vitamin that has been proven to enhance blood flow into the penis in the way or to the degree the FDA approved ED drugs such as Viagra® and Cialis® do. This said, there are some natural agents that would complement the action of these pharmacologic approaches. For example, in cases in which arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries is known to contribute to ED, a form of vitamin K2 called menaquinone-7 can help shuttled calcium out of calcified blood vessels and into bone where it belongs. You can read more about menaquinone-7 in "Health Benefits of Vitamin K2"

A product called “Cardium” contains not only Menaquinone-7 but the cardioactive nutrient, Coenzyme Q10 in its most advanced form, ubiquinol. You can learn more about Cardium by clicking this link.   

Also, there is an herbal formula called Heartrol that has been shown to significantly lower artery wrecking lipids (cholesterol & triglycerides), as well as prevent platelets from sticking together in such a way as to form clots in numerous randomized controlled clinical studies. This translates to smoother blood flow. In fact, the herbal blend in Heartrol™ has been approved by the Swiss equivalent of the FDA for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (Blockage in blood vessels in the lower extremities.) The biological activity of Heartrol™ is complemented by that of another superb cardiovascular support formula called Nutracene, which lowers an artery damaging compound called homocysteine.       

Low testosterone affects about 5.6% of men, so it is not a major contributor to ED. Probably many more are, however, impacted by having their testosterone unavailable for utilization in the body. This happens when testosterone is bound up to proteins such as sex-hormone binding globulin. How does one “set testosterone free”? One way may be the oral intake of the herb Nettles (Urtica dioica), which contains a compound called 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran that is reputed to increase free testosterone by occupying sex-hormone binding globulin.

Diabetes tends to adversely impact circulation and this, in turn, impairs nerve function (A condition known as diabetic neuropathy). This nerve dysfunction can extend to those that are involved in male erections resulting in partial or total erectile dysfunction. This is a medical condition that requires the ministrations of a physician. There are, however, several natural measures that can help retard the course of diabetic neuropathy and even improve nerve function. Among these are:

Methylcobalamin – Methylcobalamin is the most bioactive form of B12, and is available in this form as part of comprehensive B-vitamin formula, Nutracene. Some initial clinical studies indicate that methylcobalamin is of benefit to those with diabetic neuropathy.

Alpha lipoic acid --  A number of published studies indicate that alpha lipoic acid in high doses (600-1800 mgs. daily) can improve diabetic neuropathy. 

"The effect of intensive diabetes therapy on the development and progression of neuropathy. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group". Ann. Intern. Med. 122 (8): 561-8.

 Sun Y, Lai MS, Lu CJ (2005). "Effectiveness of vitamin B12 on diabetic neuropathy: systematic review of clinical controlled trials". Acta neurologica Taiwanica 14 (2): 48-54. PMID 16008162