I ride my bike to work every day. Can bike riding really cause erectile dysfunction?

More and more men are relying upon bikes to get from point A to point B. While biking was seen by many as a leisure activity or a fun way to get some exercise, a new breed of urban man is substituting the dreaded bumper-to-bumper morning commute for a brisk bike ride. For these men, biking is a way to avoid the monotony of driving to work, while simultaneously helping to keep muscles active and healthy. But could all this biking be leading to problems downstairs? Do men who constantly bike have to worry about developing erectile dysfunction?

To put male bike enthusiasts minds at ease, biking is not a guaranteed death knell for your little guy. Plenty of men bike every single day of their lives and never once encounter a problem in the bedroom. But men who bike regularly and aren’t mindful of what they’re sitting on are another story entirely. For these men, biking day in and day out on a hard, unforgiving plastic seat, erectile dysfunction might be just around the corner.

This is due to the fact that biking puts a very specific bundle of nerves and blood vessels located conveniently between the buttocks and the penis. This area, scientifically known as the “perineum,” is responsible for getting the requisite pleasure signals and blood to the penis to encourage an erection. As such, it is a vital part of the erection process.

By using a hard, non-confirming seat, pressure is applied to this area, and over time this constant pressure can cause these nerves and vessels to become damaged. A damaged perineum means the penis will struggle to get the requisite signals and blood, which translates to erectile dysfunction.

But bikers worry not: Biking-induced ED is very easy to avoid. Simply invest in a soft seat that conforms to your body, and you’ll sidestep any potential erectile related issues. Biking can be a healthy, fun way to transverse the world, but if not done properly, you could be trading a neat way to get to work for your ability to perform in the bedroom.

I’ve recently entered into a new relationship, and I’m scared my erectile dysfunction will affect our sex life. How can I regulate my ED and keep a healthy sex life with my new partner?

Dealing with erectile dysfunction is scary. It can often feel like your own body is betraying you; after all, even if you’re with the most beautiful person in the world, in the most erotic situation possible, your little guy might not give you as much as a wiggle. So while you try your best to stay on top of your erectile issues, dealing with ED on your own or with a longtime partner is one thing; dealing with erectile dysfunction with a brand new partner can be downright terrifying. So how do you deal with ED and continue to have a healthy, fulfilling sex life with your new partner?

First and foremost, it’s important to explain your situation to your partner. While it might be difficult to talk about, this is a person you’ll be spending a lot of intimate moments with. Stress to your partner that ED doesn’t mean the end of sex, nor does it mean that you aren’t attracted to them. ED is simply a biological, or sometimes mental, block that makes it hard to get erect. Reaffirm that you want to engage in intercourse, but remind your partner that sex will take a little more work.

Which leads to the most important aspect of having sex with a new partner while struggling with ED: Patience. Both parties need to realize that sexual intercourse is going to take a bit more work, but by working together, sex can remain fun and interesting. Men that deal with erectile dysfunction typically rely on erectile aids to produce an erection, and this requires pre-planning, as this drugs typically take some time to get working. As such, plan ahead for intercourse, but take it slow. Focus on foreplay and enjoying each other’s company, and your erection will be ready and raring in no time.

So yes, engaging in sex with a new partner while dealing with ED is going to take a bit more work. But by tackling the problem together, your ED should be nothing more than a hiccup in a wonderful, fulfilling relationship.

I only seem to struggle with erectile dysfunction when I’m with a new partner. Could my new partner nerves be causing my erectile issues?

Sexual intercourse is supposed to be a fun, intimate moment shared between two people; two people who are slowly learning more about each other through exploration, bouts of laughter, and in-depth conversations while snuggling. Engaging in sex with someone new can be an exciting proposition, as this means getting to know a new person in an entirely different light. But, for some men, the prospect of jumping between the sheets with someone new can be downright terrifying. Where some men see a fun learning experience, these men see a potentially humiliating tryst. The man may not even be cognizant of it, but the nerves surrounding a sexual encounter with a new person are definitely there. And if left unchecked, those nerves can lead to a development of erectile dysfunction.

The brain is a powerful thing. While the erection is dependent upon a steady stream of blood and hormones to do its thing, it is the brain that signals when its time for your erection to go to work. But when the brain is distracted, this can lead to vital signals getting lost in the shuffle.

For men that struggle with new partner nerves, the feelings of anxiety and dread can overwhelm the brain, causing the sexual signals necessary for an erection to miss their mark. Thus, even if a man wants to achieve an erection, the negative feelings he has associated with the act will override any feelings of desire, leading to temporary erectile dysfunction.

But should this problem become reoccurring, what was once temporary can spiral into something much more permanent. If the brain is constantly being taught to ignore sexual signals, it can become a sort of learned skill. Thus, your brain will begin to ignore these signals on purpose, leading to the inability to achieve an erection and thus erectile dysfunction.

So when hopping between the sheets with a new person, there’s one word to live by: Relax. Don’t get caught up in your own head about the situation; rather, roll with the punches, take deep breaths, and don’t focus too much on the task at hand. Not only will it make the encounter that much more enjoyable, but it just might save your erection.

I only seem to struggle with erectile dysfunction when I’m with a new partner. Could my new partner nerves be causing my erectile issues?

Sexual intercourse is supposed to be a fun, intimate moment shared between two people; two people who are slowly learning more about each other through exploration, bouts of laughter, and in-depth conversations while snuggling. Engaging in sex with someone new can be an exciting proposition, as this means getting to know a new person in an entirely different light. But, for some men, the prospect of jumping between the sheets with someone new can be downright terrifying. Where some men see a fun learning experience, these men see a potentially humiliating tryst. The man may not even be cognizant of it, but the nerves surrounding a sexual encounter with a new person are definitely there. And if left unchecked, those nerves can lead to a development of erectile dysfunction.

The brain is a powerful thing. While the erection is dependent upon a steady stream of blood and hormones to do its thing, it is the brain that signals when its time for your erection to go to work. But when the brain is distracted, this can lead to vital signals getting lost in the shuffle.

For men that struggle with new partner nerves, the feelings of anxiety and dread can overwhelm the brain, causing the sexual signals necessary for an erection to miss their mark. Thus, even if a man wants to achieve an erection, the negative feelings he has associated with the act will override any feelings of desire, leading to temporary erectile dysfunction.

But should this problem become reoccurring, what was once temporary can spiral into something much more permanent. If the brain is constantly being taught to ignore sexual signals, it can become a sort of learned skill. Thus, your brain will begin to ignore these signals on purpose, leading to the inability to achieve an erection and thus erectile dysfunction.

So when hopping between the sheets with a new person, there’s one word to live by: Relax. Don’t get caught up in your own head about the situation; rather, roll with the punches, take deep breaths, and don’t focus too much on the task at hand. Not only will it make the encounter that much more enjoyable, but it just might save your erection.

Should I take Viagra on a full stomach?

The art of romance varies from person to person, but there’s always some reoccurring themes: Flowers, diamonds, a nice bottle of wine, and a meal at a fancy restaurant. After your both filled to the brim with wine and delicious, surprisingly expensive food, you make a beeline for home, where clothes begin to come off and things get heated. But if you’re a man that suffers from erectile dysfunction, you may be faced with a dilemma: You’re still full from that meal, so can you even take Viagra on a full stomach?

Well, despite the idle gossip about Viagra, don’t be fooled: This little blue pill is no miracle drug. True, it will help even the most ED-afflicted men to achieve an erection, but this is due complex work within the body. You see, when Viagra is ingested, it is digested in the stomach. From there, it is spread throughout the body, allowing the body to open blood vessels, thus improving blood flow. With blood flow improved, the blood needed for an erection can make its way to the penis, allowing the man to get it up and keep it up.

But like all ingested drugs, how quickly Viagra can get to work is entirely dependent on how it is ingested. If Viagra is taken on an empty stomach, allowing the stomach to digest the pill quickly, the little blue pill can start to work within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion.

However, if Viagra is taken on a full stomach, it will be a while until the drug kicks in. This is due to the fact that the stomach essentially processes food in the order it was received, so dropping the drug on top of a wall of food ensures that it will be a wait until Viagra is digested. In these cases, it tends to take Viagra around an hour to an hour and a half to get to work.

So while taking Viagra on a full stomach certainly won’t cause any health effects, it could leave you twiddling your thumbs while you wait for the drug to get to work. If you’re looking to prolong your night of romance, taking the drug on a full stomach will ensure it doesn’t kick in until later. But if you are looking for quick results, it would be wise to avoid heavy meals when using Viagra.

I haven’t had sex in a while. Am I more likely to struggle with premature ejaculation the next time I engage in intercourse?

Men often find themselves wondering just how often they should be having sex. Sure, this sounds silly, as sex is meant to be a fun, personal activity that happens when it happens, but many men see sex as a milestone meant to be achieved as frequently as possible. But for other men, sex doesn’t happen as often. No more your approach to sexual activity, it’s important to remember there is no “normal” when it comes to hopping between the sheets; how often, or how little, a man has sex is his business. But for men that don’t engage in sex quite as often, a very real threat can loom over the activity: The possibility of premature ejaculation.

“After all,” these men reason, “My body isn’t as used to sexual feelings, so I will likely reach orgasm faster next time I have sex.” But this isn’t necessarily true. A man can go years without engaging in sex, and can still have no problem lasting as long as necessary in the bedroom. When it comes to reengaging in sexual activity, especially after a lull, it’s important to remember one thing: It’s all in your head.

Oftentimes, men that haven’t had sex in a while will get so excited over the prospect of sex that it causes them to reach orgasm quickly. If a man constantly encounters this problem, it can spiral into a mental hang-up, as the man becomes convinced he is dealing with premature ejaculation, thus leading to the development of premature ejaculation.

So when it comes time to get intimate, take a deep breathe, center your mind, and focus on the task at hand, rather on the excitement of the task at hand. Focus on pleasing your partner, but don’t focus so intently that the thought of sexual pleasure becomes all-consuming. Focus your mind, take your time, and just be in the moment.

It might sound difficult, but it’s all about finding the right degree of focus in your mind. When you reach this Zen-like state, sex, no matter how exciting, will not cause you to reach your breaking point too soon. But if you come into a new sexual encounter all worked out, an early finish and disappointment is the only thing that lies in your future.

Can a glass of red wine a day help to prevent the development of erectile dysfunction?

These days, it seems as though more and more things are being classified as things that might kill you. While it might seem like all the foods you enjoy are suddenly little bushels of certain death, there is one food group that seems to be saving instead of killing: Wine. More specifically, red wine. While milk and honey might get branded life enders, red wine is being trumpeted as a miracle cure all that can help the body fight off everything from wrinkles to cavities. But can this tasty beverage help men to stave off erectile issues? Should men stock up on pallets of red wine? Men wait on bated breath for the answer to the big question: Can red wine prevent erectile dysfunction?

According to research, it just might. That’s not to say that guzzling a bottle of the red stuff will help a man already afflicted with ED; rather, it’s been found that consuming red wine in moderation can help the body to prevent from developing erectile issues.

This is because red wine is chock full of a power packed antioxidant known as the “flavonoid.” Scientifically known as anthocyanins, the flavonoid has miraculous anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to encourage healthy blood flow throughout the body. By drinking as little as one glass of red wine a day, a man can put his body at a 14 percent lower risk of developing erectile dysfunction. This is because the body uses these flavonoids to relax the blood vessels, which ensures that blood flows quickly and efficiently to where its needed the most, including the penis when its time to produce an erection.

While research is still shaky on whether red wine can reverse the effects of erectile dysfunction, men looking to prevent the development of the dreaded sexual issue should stock up on plenty of red wine. By pairing a nice red with a healthy meal every night, you can enjoy a delicious drink all while ensuring your sex life stays happy and active.

Can thinking about non-sexual things really delay my premature ejaculation orgasm?

In basically every sex comedy movie released since 1962, there always seems to be a scene where one of our plucky heroes finally hops into bed with a beautiful woman. All is well until our protagonist feels the point of no return coming on, leading to an internal monologue about how the protagonist needs to think about baseball, his grandmother, and Dick Cheney naked on a cold day. It’s a tried and true joke, but is it possibly based in reality? For men that struggle with reaching orgasm too quickly, the concept of using the mind to delay orgasm certainly is appealing. So while it might work in American Pie, can real men actually think non-sexual thoughts to delay orgasm?

Research has found that most men will reach orgasm within 3-4 minutes of penetration. For men that suffer from premature ejaculation, the moment of truth tends to arrive much faster, be it in a matter of seconds or after a minute. For men that struggle to last between the sheets, no solution or stop-gap is too crazy to explore in an effort to last just a little bit longer. But one of the easiest ways to prolong intercourse is actually entirely mental.

Yes, thinking non-sexy thoughts really can help a man to last longer in bed, but only to a point. If a man tries to turn his thoughts to abstract ideas when orgasm is already imminent, it will be too late. But used as a method to come back from the brink, it can be quite efficient. It works like this: When you feel yourself getting too excited, turn your mind elsewhere. Pick a subject that isn’t sexual, but don’t pick something that could cause you to lose your arousal entirely. Focus on the subject of your choice intently for 5-10 seconds, and then resume thinking about intercourse.

5-10 seconds may not seem like much, but it will give your body and brain a nice little “breather” that should help you to last longer in bed. Once mastered, a man can use this little tactic to bring himself back from the point of no return several times, allowing the bedroom tryst to go for as long as you want. So while it might have seen funny in all those 80’s sex comedies, this technique is no laughing matter.

Can menstrual blood cause erectile dysfunction?

As long as there has been sex, there have been silly urban legends surrounding it. After all, pretty much every man ever has heard that enjoying “alone time” too much can lead to hairy palms and death, and we all know that’s not true. But there is one oddball rumor that continues to persevere, despite sounding so wrong that its downright comical. Despite pretty much every basis of knowledge saying otherwise, there are still men that believe menstrual blood is toxic to the body, and if it comes into contact with the penis it can cause erectile dysfunction.

For most men, their partners’ “special time of the month” brings their sex life to a screeching halt. But there are plenty of adventurous couples who work around this natural road bump and continue their sexual escapades uninterrupted. The topic of “period sex” is a touchy one amongst men, as many call it disgusting while others call it natural. But there is a small subsection of men that believes that engaging in intercourse while a woman is on her period can actually contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction.

While many men turn up their noses at the concept of menstruation, the truth is that it’s a natural, necessary part to being a woman. What menstruation isn’t, however, is toxic or harmful. Of course, it’s advised that a woman utilizes a tampon or some other blood-collecting device during this time, but engaging in intercourse while a woman is menstruating will cause no issues in a man’s body.

The legend goes that because menstruation is a woman’s body purging of the lining of the uterus, the blood contains harmful toxins that can cause issues on the body.

A woman is many things on her period: Tired, crampy, and maybe a little moody. But she definitely isn’t toxic. Engage in intercourse during menstruation at your own discretion, but no man will ever have to worry about developing erectile dysfunction from period blood.

I suffer from premature ejaculation, but I’m hesitant to talk to my doctor about it. Are there any at-home remedies for premature ejaculation?

Despite modern medicine offering a wealth of new and improved ways to overcome the most basic of ailments, many men find it difficult to use this abundance of knowledge to treat the issues they have in the bedroom. While issues such as premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are increasingly common in men, those afflicted will often opt to skip the doctor and seek at-home remedies. This is due to the taboo nature of these ailments, causing men to skip professional help due to being embarrassed on speaking to a doctor about their issue. But is there any true at-home remedy for premature ejaculation?

For men that suffer from premature ejaculation, the thought of speaking to a medical professional about their issues can be downright terrifying. After all, these men reason, sharing such intimate details on your sex life will make you less of a man. And so these men try at-home techniques to attempt to overcome their issues.

For premature ejaculation, there are ways to approach sex that can help to stave off early orgasm. The most common are the “stop-and-go” technique and the “squeeze” technique.

The stop-and-go is just that: Stopping and going. Men must have sex regularly, and when it feels as though the orgasm is approaching, the man must completely disengage. This allows the man to come back from the brink, catch his breath, and get back to work. Repeat until orgasm.

For the squeeze technique, this method takes a bit more work. The man must engage in sexual activity normally until orgasm is imminent. The man must then disengage and squeeze the base of the penis, dulling the sensation and staving off orgasm. While it can help men to last longer, the timing can be tricky to master, making it difficult to use regularly.

But in the end, all of these techniques won’t be able to stop premature ejaculation permanently. This is why, even if it’s embarrassing, it’s important to speak to a health professional about premature ejaculation. With someone knowledgeable in the field of sexual health, together you can work out the root cause of the issue and figure out a way to overcome the problem permanently. Don’t let pride or social taboo stop you from finding a way to get your sex life back.