My job requires me to sit in an office chair 8 hours a day. Can consistently remaining stationary cause erectile dysfunction?

Ah, office life. After battling through traffic, you pour yourself a cup of coffee, plop down into your reasonably comfy office chair, and then remain in that reasonably comfy office chair for eight hours, all before you punch out, head home, and do it all over again tomorrow. Plenty of people have jobs that require they stay seated throughout the day, and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If a man has an office job that requires a lot of sitting, but he continues to eat well and make positive lifestyle choices outside of the cubicle farm, the sitting should have no bearing on his ability to perform in bed. But men that sit professionally and don’t look after their bodies outside of work are a totally different story.

When it comes to your heart, nothing does it a better service than staying active. Doing as little as walking for 30 minutes a day can ensure that your heart stays healthy and active, allowing it to perpetually pump the necessary blood to your body. But living a sedentary lifestyle, compounded with eating poorly, can lead to heart issues.

If you stay in that office chair for 8 hours, and you decided to indulge of a large cheeseburgers and some cheese fries, you won’t be doing your heart any favors. Poor eating habits and skipping on exercise has been found to lead to heart issues, which causes restriction of blood flow to spread throughout the body. It is typically the smallest arteries that are affected first, and some of the smallest arteries in the body are responsible for supplying blood to the penis. This means when your heart and arteries begin to have problems, your erection will be one of the first things affected.

So if you professionally sit, make sure to eat well and incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Something as simple as setting aside 10 minutes a day at the office to engage in crunches or squats could seriously help your heart, and, by association, your erection.

Can acupuncture help with erectile dysfunction?

It sounds crazy on paper: A person slowly pricks your body with specially constructed razor-sharp needles until whatever health issue you have been dealing with is defeated. While it might sound akin to torture, the ancient art of acupuncture is an honest-to-goodness form of medicine that helps to heal the body with stabbing. This Chinese medicinal field has been utilized as an alternative to traditional medicine for generations, and more followers of the ways of acupuncture are popping up every day. But can this Far East practice help a man to overcome erectile dysfunction?

Well, to be clear, acupuncture is not, in fact, based on any particular field of scientific knowledge. The teachings of acupuncture derive from what is known as the TCM theory, which many researchers dub as pure pseudoscience. So whether or not acupuncture really can help medicinally is up for debate.

But there are thousands of people around the world that swear by the ways of acupuncture. Experts in the field claim that by pricking the body with needles in specifically designated areas, stress that causes arteries to shrink and reduce blood flow to the penis can be dissipated, allowing the arteries to open up once more and get the blood necessary for an erection.

While the science behind acupuncture is not agreed upon by all in the world of scientific medicine, that’s not to say that exploring alternative avenues of treatment such as acupuncture is a bad idea. Feel free to introduce acupuncture into your battle against ED.

But do not rely solely on acupuncture to overcome erectile dysfunction. It is advised to speak to a doctor about the best methods of treating ED, and it would be wise to invest in ED medication. But as long as you see acupuncture solely as a helping hand, rather than the cure-all some purport it to be, it can certainly help you to beat erectile dysfunction that much quicker.

I’ve heard red wine can be very helpful for the heart. Can red wine help to prevent erectile dysfunction?

While it used to be known as the perfect pairing for a delicious Italian meal, in recent years red wine has taken on a new a label: Miracle cure-all. According to a variety of studies, red wine has strong restorative properties, and can be used to aid in a variety of health ailments. Depending on who you ask, red wine has been said to help with health issues ranging from crow’s feet to cancer. With all the medical hubbub surrounding the delicious drink, men surely wonder: Can it help my erection?

The assumption that red wine can help with erectile dysfunction isn’t as misguided as you might think. After all, red wine is full of the antioxidants resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, which have been aid the body in numerous ways, including keeping the blood vessels open and healthy. Could these miracle antioxidants help defeat erectile dysfunction?

Well, polishing off a bottle of the red stuff every day will likely just lead to cirrhosis of the liver and no positive erectile benefits, but when enjoyed in moderation, red wine can actually aid in keeping the erection healthy.

Research has found a glass of wine every other day helps keep the heart and blood vessels working properly, which ensures blood flows through the body unimpeded, which means sections of the body that require blood to function get all the blood they need, which means, you guessed it, better erections.

That’s not to say that a glass of wine will be able to overturn the effects of erectile dysfunction singlehandedly. Rather, think of red wine as an aid to defeating to ED. Continue to make positive lifestyle choices and follow the directions given to you by your doctor, and mixing red wine into the equation could just give you the helping hand you need in beating ED.

I haven’t had sex in a while, and I’m worried I’ll have erectile dysfunction issues next time I have intercourse. Can not having sex often cause erectile dysfunction?

When it comes to the erection, it’s move it or lose it. At least, that’s what a rumor that is seemingly as old as time itself claims, and it’s a rumor that has only grown among the male populace. No one knows where this old wives originated from, but there are men that swear by the adage. According to these men, if you don’t stay sexually active, your brain can translate any sexual feelings, be it intercourse or masturbation, into jitters and nerves, leading to the body being unable to achieve an erection.

Obviously, this claim sounds ridiculous, as how often you engage in sexual activity should have no baring on your erection. But, in actuality, the rumor isn’t as wrong as you would think; rather, there is a kernel of truth in the claim, but its not entirely accurate.

To clear things up, no, not engaging in sex does not cause the body to develop erectile issues. However, studies have found that men that stay sexually active tend to not develop ED as frequently as men that do not have much sex.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, European scientists found that infrequent sex can increase the chances of developing erectile dysfunction. The study tracked 989 men over 50 for five years, charting their sexual history. The study found that men who reported having intercourse less than once a week are twice as likely to develop ED as their sexually active counterparts.

The science behind this phenomenon is understandable: Regular sexual activity helps to keep the nerve fibers and blood vessels responsible for regulating erections active and healthy, which translates into lessened chances of ED.

But, again, this doesn’t mean not having sex is a guarantee of erectile issues. While regular sex can lessen ED chances, men who having sex daily are just as likely to develop erectile dysfunction as men who never have sex.

At the end of the day, your sexual history doesn’t matter. Simply make positive lifestyle choices, eat well, and get active, and your erection should be just fine.

How can I tell if my erectile dysfunction is caused by a mental or physical issue?

When erectile dysfunction rears its ugly head, it can be easy to resort to panicking. After all, you suddenly find yourself unable to achieve an erection, effectively killing your sex life and potentially driving a wedge between you and your partner, so it’s easy to fall right into panic. But by keeping a level head and taking note of the factors of your erectile issues, you can better understand the root cause, allowing you to better fight it and regain your erection.

There are two causes of erectile dysfunction: Mental and physical. While erectile dysfunction manifests in the same way for either cause, how the ED develops differs radically for each cause.

If the cause of your ED is mental in nature, it has typically developed as a result of a recent jarring change in your life. If you developed erectile issues after experiencing stress at work, or having money troubles, or breaking up with your partner, odds are the ED is mental in cause. Additionally, if your body retains the ability to achieve an erection through masturbation or while you are sleeping, then it is a mental hang-up that is causing your erectile woes.

For physically induced ED, the erectile issues affect you both during sex and while you are alone. If you find yourself incapable of achieving an erection no matter the situation, it is likely that your ED is being caused by a physical issue, i.e., an artery blockage, heart issue, or growing waistline.

No matter what the root cause, erectile dysfunction is not an issue you should take lightly. Figure out the cause, speak to your doctor, and work on beating the issue. Only with hard work will you be able to recover your erection.

I typically don’t floss, but I hear poor oral hygiene can cause erectile dysfunction. Is this true?

Whenever you visit the dentist, there is one remark you’re almost guaranteed to hear: “You need to floss more.” It doesn’t matter if you floss after every meal; to a dentist, you’ll always need to invest in more floss. But while the dental chiding can be obnoxious, your dentist isn’t wrong. Flossing can be a pain in the neck, but it’s the cornerstone of good oral hygiene. With it, you can have a winning smile. Without it, you just might lose your erection.

Yes, while flossing and your erection seem as unconnected as humanly possible, the truth is that regularly flossing just might save you from developing gum-related erectile dysfunction.

Brushing and flossing regularly are surefire ways to avoid oral issues such as gum disease. But by skimping on brushing or skipping on flossing, gum disease can develop. Gum disease cause the gums to become inflamed, which can lead to bleeding when brushing. Internally, this gum disease can lead to tooth decay, as immune cells in your mouth attack the gum disease pathogens, leading to the spreading of bacteria.

This bacteria then seeps into the bloodstream, leading to damage to the blood vessels, starting with the smaller blood vessels first. This includes, you guessed it, the blood vessels leading to your penis. With damaged blood vessels, your body cannot supply the necessary blood to the penis, leading to erectile dysfunction.

And this isn’t just conjecture either; Turkish researchers have found that men with gum disease are three times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction.

So, while it’s certainly not a fun activity, regular flossing could mean the difference between an active sex life and a dead bedroom. So look after your teeth and gums and your erection will thank you.

I regularly ride my bike to work. Can regular biking cause erectile dysfunction?

Sure, it’s hard to be the convenience of a car, but sometimes you just want to get out and enjoy the fresh air. Bicycling to work is becoming increasingly prevalent among urban dwellers, leading to more and more men spending their commute on a Schwinn. Surely there can’t be any negatives to this biking craze; after all, regular biking is great exercise that helps to keep you healthy. But can all that bike riding actually be causing issues with your erection?

While the connection might sound flimsy, don’t scoff just yet. It might sound like an old wives tale, but it’s actually true: Regular biking can lead to erectile dysfunction. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw out your fixie just yet. It’s not bike riding itself that causes ED to develop; rather, it’s the bike seat.

Having a good bike seat is paramount for staying comfy on your ride, but it can also play a vital role in your ability to perform in the bedroom. This is because the bike seat puts a lot of pressure on the perineum, a bundle of nerves and arteries found smack-dab in the middle between the anus and the scrotum.

A hard, narrow bike seat can make this perineum pressure downright dangerous, as having constant pressure on this area can lead to nerve and artery damage, which translates into the body struggling to achieve an erection.

Thankfully, the work around here is easy: Invest in a better bike seat. A cushy seat that contours to your body is recommended, but something as simple as a softer seat can definitely help. If you regularly bike, ditch that old unforgiving seat and invest in something that will ensure your ride is smooth and your erection stays healthy.

Can smoking too much marijuana cause erectile dysfunction?

With the country making strides towards being more accepting of offbeat and alternative lifestyles, the drug known as marijuana is slowly transforming from a socially stigmatized narcotic into a medicinal alternative that also functions as a relaxant. But while marijuana may be becoming more openly accepted, the drug is still saddled with its fair share of misconceptions. There are still plenty that think of marijuana as nothing but a mind erasing, laziness-encouraging devil weed. In addition to being a good-for-nothing drug, many people are under the impression that smoking marijuana can lead to health complications, such as the dreaded erectile dysfunction.

The association at least makes some kind of sense: The rationale is that marijuana causes the body to become sluggish, which translates into slowed blood flow to the penis, leading to ED. But let’s clear the air here: No matter how often someone partakes in marijuana, they are at no higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction than men who do not smoke marijuana.

While it’s true that marijuana does have its side effects (after all, partaking in anything too often, including marijuana, can lead to issues within the body), rest assured that erectile dysfunction is not one of them.

But that’s not to say smoking marijuana makes a man immune to developing erectile issues. Marijuana-enthusiast or no, all men are susceptible to developing ED. So no matter where you fall on the marijuana enjoyment spectrum, make positive lifestyle choices, stay active, and keep your your erection healthy.

What are the warning signs of erectile dysfunction?

Like a thief in the night, erectile dysfunction creeps up on you and suddenly makes your sex life much more complicated, and you didn’t even see it coming. While many health complications are saddled with red flags that allow a perceptive person to realize that something is amiss, it feels as though erectile dysfunction just strikes without warning. But is that the case? If a man knew what he was looking for, could he potentially spot developing erectile dysfunction and actively prevent it?

Well, unfortunately, ED is not the kind of health complication that is kind enough to give you an early warning. But that’s not to say that ED is completely unreadable. While it is true that erectile dysfunction cannot exactly be anticipated, you can learn a lot from how the erectile dysfunction afflicts you.

Erectile dysfunction comes in two forms: Temporary and long lasting. To the common man, any erectile issues whatsoever may cause them to assume it’s a permanent issue, keeping track of how your ED develops can tell you just what form you’re dealing with.

If you suddenly find yourself consistently unable to achieve an erection, perhaps after an event that could have affected you mentally (i.e. stress at work, moving houses, a fight with your spouse), this is temporary erectile dysfunction. By working to get to the root of the issue, it can be overcome.

But if the erectile dysfunction starts out relatively unobtrusive (i.e., only able to achieve a partial erection) but slowly gets worse, this indicates that the cause is likely physical in nature and puts your ED into the long term category. This form of ED can also be overcome, but it will likely require consultation with a doctor, medication, and serious work.

So, no, there is no way to tell when ED will up and strike. But should you develop ED, pay attention, as the signs of your erectile problems may just help you to regain your sex life.

I recently suffered a groin injury and now struggle to achieve an erection. Could these two issues be related?

If you were to grab a dozen men off the street and ask them what their most valued, protected asset is, you’d likely get the same answer every time: The penis. While the heart keeps us alive, and the brain keeps us thinking, it’s the penis that men seem the most attached to. That’s why when an injury befalls the penis, it can feel like the end of the world. As you sit there with a bag of ice on your bits, you may find yourself wondering what comes next. Will you still be able to urinate properly? Will it shrink? Does this mean no more erections?

While its easy to go into “worst case” scenario when it comes to groin injuries, the honest truth is that penile and groin damage does not necessarily mean that you’ve got ED looming in your future. In fact, much like any other injury, if treated and looked after properly, there’s no reason your little soldier shouldn’t be up and operational soon afterwards.

But that’s not to say that men can shrug off all penis-related injuries. The penis is a sensitive area, and it is possible to damage it in such a way that erections become more difficult. As the penis requires blood to achieve erections, should an injury harm the blood vessels and slow blood supply, or even damage vital nerves within the penis, ED can become a serious reality.

So it’s a mixed bag; if you receive a groin-related injury and begin to have erectile issues, it’s possible its purely in your head and you should be fine. But on the other hand, there exists the possibility that your ED could be due to a physical issue within your penis.

If you suffer an injury downstairs and begin to have erectile issues, be safe and speak to your doctor. Together, you can find out if it’s a serious issue or just your brain playing tricks on you.