Incidences of men suffering from erectile dysfunction are more widespread than you ever thought. Although studies throw up a figure of 40% it is estimated that the actual figure to be much higher since a lot of men would not admit on these issues. The causes could be varied form certain emotional factors like stress and depression to physical factors like age and decline in testosterone. This could also be due to adopting a lifestyle which includes smoking, drinking and use of recreational drugs. Sexual arousal leading to and beyond orgasm involves two phases. During the excitement phase the penis becomes erect and the scrutum thickens, the testes rise, the penis tip and testes swell and a ’sex flush’ appears. After ejaculation the sex flush disappears, there is a loss of erection and the penis returns to its normal state.

Anything which hampers blood flow to the penile area can affect erections negatively. It has been proved scientifically that blood flow to the penis is necessary for a hard and sustainable erection.

While asleep, the number of erections can reduce substantially, if the man is a smoker. When there is such reduction in the number of nightly erections, it is an early sign of something going wrong and that there is not adequate amount of blood flowing which can result in an erection. The Lahey Hitchcock Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts confirms that this is due to smoking going overboard. It is also proved that even stopping smoking for a day improves nightly erections.

Moreover, teenagers who smoke heavy are likely to have an extremely damaging effect on the quality of semen. Over and above the sperm volume and mobility gets affected. This drastically reduces their chance of becoming a father as well as increases the chance of having offspring with genetic disorders due to faulty DNA imbibed from either parent.

Similarly, studies have also demonstrated that heavy drinkers are more affected by erectile dysfunction than casual drinkers. Not only does alcohol inhibit performance but it also affects libido which makes erection impossible.

To make the most out of your sex life, follow a healthy way of living. Balanced diet and regular exercise keeps your sexual energy flowing and health glowing. There are effective herbal therapies available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction which acts as an aphrodisiac and pumps in more blood to the penis.