Blog

Ever since the first man slipped into his first pair of tighty whities, there was someone assuring him that his briefs were going to give him erectile dysfunction. Tight underwear causing ED is one of the oldest misconceptions about erectile dysfunction, an old wives tale that has been passed around for so long that it is now accepted as fact.

But don’t be fooled, men. Even the tightest, strangling pair of underoos won’t lead to you losing your erection.

The logic is that tight underwear puts pressure on the penis and testicles, which can lead to damage over time. It’s said that if your penis is constrained for too long in tight underwear, your ability to achieve an erection will disappear.

Extensive research has been conducted by erectile health experts over the years, and zero correlation has been found between tight underwear and erectile dysfunction. Putting pressure on the penis will not lead to constrained blood vessels, so erectile loss is impossible.

However, while your erection may be safe from tight briefs, your testicles are another story. Research has found that tight underwear can contribute to infertility, due to tight underwear raising the temperature of the testicles, leading to sperm death.

So while your erection is in the clear from tighty whities, your sperm count isn’t as lucky. If you’re hoping for kids down the line, it might be wise to switch to boxers.

When you finally decide to part ways with your partner, it can be a whirlwind of emotions. You can feel free, scared, optimistic, pessimistic, certain, confused; you’re going from certainty to a world of possibilities. You decide it’s time to dip your toes back into the dating pool, but you’ve got a big cloud hanging over your head: Erectile dysfunction. When you’re freshly divorced and saddled with ED, it can feel like it might be impossible to find someone. But here are some tips to keep in mind when dating after divorce with ED:

Don’t let it define you: While it may feel like ED is going to set the pace for your dating life, you need to remember that you are more than your erectile dysfunction. Focus on getting to know people, let your personality shine. Your ED is secondary, and it can be addressed at the appropriate time.

Don’t make it into more than it is: When you start dating again, it may feel like you need to air all of your dirty laundry right out of the gate to ensure you aren’t wasting your time. If it begins to seem like your new relationship is moving towards becoming physical, let your partner know of your affliction. Explain it thoroughly, and stress that you have ways to overcome it’s effects. 

Be understanding: Not everyone is going to understand ED. If your new partner has questions or concerns, be understanding and accommodating. Answer their questions, explain the problem, and open a dialogue. It may be embarrassing to talk about, but it’s important to be clear about your problem.

When you’ve found someone who is accepting of your problem, take it slow. After divorce, it can feel like you’re in a race against time when it comes to relationships. But get to know your new partner, and you could find yourself living happily for many years.

If you’ve found yourself lacking between the sheets as of late, you could be afflicted with erectile dysfunction. Losing the ability to regularly achieve an erection can be scary, but there are plenty of ways to overcome this problem. While medication and guidance from a doctor is the best way to fight ED, it never hurts to give yourself a little help. Here are some natural treatments you can do around the house to help combat your problem.

Panax Ginseng: A herb native to China, Panax Ginseng (or red ginseng) is commonly seen as nature’s Viagra. Research has found that daily dosages of the herb to immensely helpful in fighting the effects of ED. While it won’t cure your problem outright, it could definitely help you to overcome ED.

Acupuncture: Though the science behind acupuncture as an ED remedy is shaky, recent research has found that the art of acupuncture can help to improve the quality of your erection. Do not rely on acupuncture alone to fight your ED, but it may prove helpful.

L-Arginine: An amino acid that naturally occurs in the body, L-Arginine helps to product nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is the body’s way of relaxing the blood vessels. By taking L-Arginine pills, you can aid your body in relaxing your blood vessels, which can facilitate better blood flow, improving your erection.

Historically, erectile dysfunction has been seen as a problem for men in their golden years. The common conception is that erectile dysfunction is an inevitable problem for older men, as unavoidable as back problems and wrinkling skin.

While it’s true that erectile dysfunction may one day strike as you age, it’s a serious misconception that ED is only a problem for the elderly. Extensive research has found that ED is becoming more and more commonplace amongst the younger generation, and the median age for ED is lowering.

A study published in the July 2013 issue of Journal of Sexual Medicine revealed that ED is on the rise amongst younger men, with researchers finding that ED affected 26 percent of adult men under 40. After 40, the percentage of men affected by ED rose, with 50% of men in their 50s reporting ED, 60% in their 60s, and so on.

Researchers attribute this rise in ED prevalence to various factors, including more stressful lifestyles, higher rates of alcohol consumption, and depression.

While erectile dysfunction has commonly been seen as a problem exclusive to older men, the simple fact is that it’s affecting more and more young men every day.

Making positive lifestyle changes, eating better, and getting active can help you to avoid becoming a statistic as a younger man with ED.

Erectile dysfunction is an intensely personal problem, so it’s not unusual that most men aren’t too keen on talking openly about it. Losing your erection can make you feel like less of a man, which can be hard to convey to others. But if you don’t open up and talk about your problem with someone, you may find it difficult to shoulder your burden. If you’re looking for someone to talk to about your problem, here are some options.

Your doctor: When discussing your diagnosis with your doctor, express how you’re feeling. Your doctor may be able to put your fears at ease, or offer some insight into how to deal with these feelings.

A therapist: It may be awkward to talk about your bedroom problems with a therapist, but they are there to listen. Talk about how your ED is making you feel, and they can help you to develop methods and solutions for overcoming these feelings.

A close friend: Your friends may be the last people you want to know about your ED, but get past this fear and talk to a close friend. With a friend, you can have a frank, open discussion about what’s causing your ED.

Your significant other: If you’re in a relationship, you aren’t the only person the ED is affecting. If your love life has grown stagnant because of your affliction, talk openly with your partner. Together, you can come up with ideas and strategies to fight your ED and keep the spark in your relationship.