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It’s a tale as old as the pornography industry itself: According to legend, men that tend to watch and, ahem, “enjoy” porn more are putting themselves on the fast track to developing issues in bed. The old wives’ tale purports that the consistent viewing of porn causes the development of premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and, eventually, the loss of use of the erection entirely. But this legend can’t possibly be true, right? After all, a rumor this ridiculous has to be entirely fictional, right?

Well, you’d be 2/3 right. While watching pornography of course can’t cause erectile dysfunction or the complete loss of erectile control, it can in fact put men at a higher risk of developing issues with premature ejaculation.

But it isn’t the porn itself that causes the PE; rather, it’s how your body interprets porn and your enjoyment of it.

When a man masturbates to porn, it is typically not a sensuous, drawn-out affair; rather, it’s all about quick pleasure. Men treat masturbation as a race to the finish line, and your brain will pick up on this and translate this feeling into the bedroom.

As men rush to reach orgasm while masturbating to porn, the brain will begin to sense this habit and will bring it into intercourse. Thanks to the brain, men that regularly masturbate to porn will find it harder to last in bed. The brain will no longer interpret sex as a loving, time consuming activity; instead, thanks to constant masturbation, it will see the act as a means to reach orgasm quickly.

So, yes, constant exposure to porn and masturbation really can put your sex life at risk. It won’t cause your erection to up and stop working, but it will cause you to struggle to last between the sheets.

There is nothing wrong with the viewing of pornography or the act of masturbation, but like all things in life, it’s all about moderation. Enjoy these activities once in a while (experts suggest that once or twice every week or two is healthy), and your bodies ability to last in intercourse should come roaring back.

For some men, the morning simply cannot be faced until coffee has been consumed. While many have no problem rising from slumber to face the day, many men turn to the dark, caffeinated pleasures of coffee to get adjusted to the day. And while many are perfectly fine with a single cup of coffee, others require multiple cups to make it through the day. For these men, coffee is a delicious, totally required step to taking on the day. But could all of this coffee be putting men at risk of developing erectile dysfunction?

While many men think that regularly consuming coffee increases a man’s chances of developing erectile issues, extensive research has found the opposite to be true: In fact, men that drink coffee often may actually be at a lower risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

According to a study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, researchers revealed that extensive research has linked regular coffee intake is linked to reduced chances of developing erectile dysfunction.

In the study, researcher fond that men that consumed the equivalent of 85-170 mg of caffeine (the equivalency of 2-3 cups of coffee) a day were 42% less likely to develop erectile dysfunction. But in a surprise revelation, research found that men who drank between 171-303 mg of caffeine (the equivalency of 5-6 cups of coffee) were only 39% less likely to develop ED.

So while coffee and the caffeine it contains might be helpful to staving off erectile dysfunction, too much of a good thing can actually decrease a man’s chances of avoiding ED.

So, no, regular coffee consumption does not spell death for your sex life. Rather, a cup or two of black coffee a day may just make the difference in saving your erection.

As men age, their bodies tend to encounter a litany of problems: Creaky joints, stiff back, diminished hearing, and, yes, erectile dysfunction. It’s true: Research has found that men over 40 are 3 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction then their 18-29 year old counterparts. As ED becomes more prevalent in aging men, conversations concerning erectile woes also become more common. But just because it’s a necessary conversation doesn’t make it any easier to have; after all, talking with anyone, regardless of age, about ED can feel very embarrassing. So how is an older men supposed to tell a new partner about his erectile dysfunction?

Dating is hard enough without bringing erectile dysfunction into the mix. But for many older men, ED is a fact of life, and must be discussed with possible new sexual partners.

As such, follow the following tips when telling your new partner about your ED:

Don’t beat around the bush: Instead of holding off on telling the truth about your ED, but straight forward and honest. Discuss how often you deal with ED, and discuss how you tend to handle ED when it occurs.

Remember there are workarounds: Stress that ED doesn’t mean no sex at all; rather, you’ll just have to follow some guidelines when engaging in sexual activity. Ask your partner to be patient and understanding.

Discuss options: From pills that get to work immediately to pills that take a while to kick in, there are plenty of drug options for addressing ED. Talk frankly with your partner about how you can address ED and sex.

Remember: It can be awkward to discuss ED, but for older men, it’s a necessary evil. Be open, be honest, and be understanding, and you and your new partner should have no problem working around your ED to achieve a wonderful, fulfilling sex life.

When erectile dysfunction rears its ugly head, men tend to scramble for a solution. Many turn to medication, while others look inwardly for solutions. But for some men, erectile dysfunction is just another issue to be overcome by working out. For these men, there isn’t a body problem that can’t be solved with twenty curls or a solid set of burpees. But can erectile dysfunction really be defeated with exercise? Is there a way to beat ED by working out?

Well yes, but not in the traditional sense. You see, erectile dysfunction isn’t a problem that can be defeated with barbells and pull-ups; rather, if you want to use exercise to overcome your ED, you need to focus on a very specific muscle group: Your pelvic floor.

The pelvic floor is the collection of muscles found in the pelvis. This bundle is responsible for controlling urinary flow, the pumping of semen, the achieving of erections, and other penile-based activities. And by toning this muscle group, you can help your body to overcome ED.

This is done by pinpointing your pelvic floor muscles. While peeing, halt the stream. Feel those muscles tightening? Those are the muscles you’re interested in.

After establishing the location of your pelvic floor muscles, lay down and tighten this muscle cluster. Hold it for two seconds, and relax. From there, do 10 reps of these muscle tightens, catch your breath, and then continue to reps in sets of 10 until you feel tired.

By doing this every day, you can eventually tighten and tone this vital muscle group, which can assist your body in achieving an erection.

So, no, there isn’t an exercise set for ED that involves curling or lifting, but this simple muscle targeting exercise could be the way to save your erection.

For men that are serious about their workouts, pumping iron isn’t just a way to get in shape; it’s a way to sculpt the body into a perfect pile of muscle and mass. For these men, working out is all about the pursuit of bigger: Bigger arms, bigger legs, bigger everything. But as the body struggles to reach top physical condition on its own, workout enthusiasts tend to utilize “workout enhancers.” These enhancers, typically sold at gyms and GNC, help in a variety of ways, from serving as a protein enhancer to helping the body to stitch hurt muscles back together faster. But by utilizing these workout enhancers, could men be trading out bigger muscles for less luck achieving an erection?

Well, that depends. Utilizing workout enhancers does not mean the end of your erection. In fact, certain workout enhancers, such as Muscle Milk and other similar protein-heavy drinks, does not present any risk to the body, and can truly help a man with his workout. This is due to the fat that protein drinks simply load a man up with amino acids and similar protein-rich vitamins, which are definitely not harmful to the body, allowing the body to achieve mass quick.

But other workout enhancers, such as the popular “pre-workout enhancer” category of supplements, have been found to lead to issues with the erection. These supplements load the body up with creatine and caffeine, giving the user energy to power through a workout.

But in excess, creatine and caffeine have been found to cause issues with the erection. These stimulants can lead to issues with the heart and with blood flow, causing the penis to struggle to receive the blood necessary to achieve an erection.

So, no, workout enhancers are not a cart blanche guarantee for erectile dysfunction. But be careful what enhancer you end up using; if its one rich in elements such as caffeine and creatine, erectile dysfunction could be right around the corner.

Whether it’s a man and a woman, a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, one thing is universal about relationships: Anxiety. For many men, settling into a relationship can be nerve racking; after all, transitioning from a swinging bachelor to a committed partner can be a jarring change. And while relationships are fulfilling and rewarding in a way the single life can never be, many men struggle with settling down. In fact, many men find committed relationships so nail biting that it causes the development of erectile dysfunction.

This is due to anxiety, and the way the brain interprets extreme feelings such as anxiety. Whether it’s a new relationship or the possibility of a promotion at work, anxiety has a way of weaseling into a person’s mind, becoming an all-consuming feeling.

As a man becomes consumed with focusing on the subject that is causing anxiety, the brain will subconsciously begin to prioritize the anxiety. As the anxiety becomes prioritized, the brain will struggle to focus on other, non-anxiety related activities, including sex.

Yes, the erection depends upon brain signals to work, and too much stress can actually cause the signals needed for an erection to get lost in the shuffle. A man’s brain can become some preoccupied with anxiety that the brain actually neglects important signals for pleasure, leading to the development of erectile dysfunction.

And it isn’t just anxiety that causes erectile issues; depression, guilt, and a litany of feelings can lead to ED by becoming too important in the brain.

So, yes, a newfound relationship can lead to a lifetime of happiness, but it can also lead to anxiety-induced erectile dysfunction. If you find yourself struggling to consistently achieve an erection, seek help from a mental health professional, and you can confront and overcome these feelings.

For as long as man has struggled with the ailment, erectile dysfunction has been seen as a problem for the 50-and-over crowd. The general consensus is that erectile issues simply pop up as a man ages, and that the problem only afflicts men grappling with graying hair and aching joints. But the truth is that erectile dysfunction isn’t an issue constrained to any one age group; in fact, this ailment traditionally associated with older men can affect men of all ages. Yes, even the traditionally healthy, sexually active 20-somethings can develop ED, albeit for different reasons then older men.

While it is true that ED is much more common among older men, the root cause of erectile dysfunction is different then the cause of ED in younger age groups. This is because older men tend to develop erectile issues as a result of health problems; i.e., weak heart, clogged arteries, diabetes, etc.

On the other hand, younger men tend to develop erectile problems as a result of mental factors; i.e. stress, anxiety, depression, etc. These feelings then translate into the inability to achieve an erection.

But it isn’t just the brain that causes ED among young men; another cause among sports-inclined men tends to be physical trauma developed while playing sports. As younger men tend to be more active, they also tend to be more prone to injury. If a man incurs damage around his genitals, this can translate into the physical inability to achieve an erection.

So while the causes might not be the same, young men can develop erectile dysfunction just like older men. If you are a man in your 20’s and you struggle to achieve an erection, talk with your doctor and, together, you can fix this issue.

You know what they say: Nothing good in life is good for you. This goes double for soda, the sickly sweet beverage that millions of men across the world swear by. Whether it’s the neon green Mountain Dew or the more subdued Coca-Cola, soda drinkers drink the syrupy liquid refreshment with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But while the occasional pop never killed anyone, can the same be said about habitual soda drinking? After all, with soda chock full of sugar, all that sweetness can’t be good for the body, or for the erection. But does drinking soda cause erectile dysfunction?

Like all exceedingly sugary things in life, soda is meant to be enjoyed in moderation. This is because sugar not only packs on the pounds, but it can also mess with your heart. And for this reason, drinking too much soda really can cause erectile dysfunction.

The erection depends upon a steady flow of blood to function properly. Should blood flow to the penis falter, this can lead to missed erections and, eventually, erectile dysfunction. When a man regularly drinks soda, the sugary sweetness can actually clog up arteries and prevent proper blood flow to the penis.

This is because the small arteries in the body are always the first affected by artery clogging, and there are no smaller arteries in the body then the batch that lead to the penis. As a result, by ritually drinking soda, this cluster of arteries becomes obstructed, leading to blood struggling to reach the penis, causing erectile dysfunction.

That’s not to say that one or two sodas a week will guarantee erectile dysfunction. But daily consumption of soda can put a man on the fast track to a wider waistline, type 2 diabetes, and, yes, erectile dysfunction.

Like the worst things in life, erectile dysfunction always seems to strike at the most inopportune time, arriving without warning to totally ruin your sex life. But what if that erectile dysfunction isn’t arriving without warning? After all, many body affecting issues are precipitated by warning signs of some kind; i.e., tingling in the arms before a heart attack, numbness in the face before a stroke, etc. Working from this logic, shouldn’t erectile dysfunction have some telltale signs to alert a man that the affliction is right around the corner? If so, what are the warning signs of erectile dysfunction?

Unfortunately, as much as man wish it were true, there simply aren’t any warning signs for ED. The issue tends to crop up unexpectedly, and the body does not offer any white flags to alert the body that the issue is on the horizon.

But while ED doesn’t have any tried and true warning signs, erectile dysfunction itself can serve as a warning sign for its root cause. You see, by paying attention to your ED, a man can actually get some insight into what is causing the ED, and then seek appropriate help.

Erectile dysfunction breaks down into two categories: Physical and mental. ED that is physical in nature is typically caused by issues related to the heart; i.e. weakened blood output, blocked arteries, etc. If the ED is related to a physical issue, the man will incapable of achieving an erection even while unconscious. If the man never wakes up with an erection, this is an indication the root cause is physical.

But if the man struggles to achieve an erection during intercourse, but often finds himself waking up with an erection, this indicates the root cause is mental in nature. This means the body is physically capable of producing an erection, but a mental hang-up (depression, anxiety, guilt, etc.) is causing the men to not be able to achieve an erection consciously.

So, no, you won’t be able to look for telltale clues to let you know when ED is coming. But by paying attention when it rears its ugly head, you’ll be able to shake it off that much quicker.