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.

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 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.

Can smoking marijuana cause erectile dysfunction?

In this big, crazy thing we call “life,” it takes all types to make the world go ‘round. For some men, a cold drink after a hard day is the best way to unwind. For others, a muscle-burning workout is the preferred way to shake off stress. But for others, it’s marijuana that is turned to when its time to relax. While laws related to the little green leaf are changing, utilizing marijuana is still something of a taboo topic. But that doesn’t stop thousands of men from partaking in the illegal drug every day, be it as a way to relax or a way to enhance other activities. But much like having a drink every day, men who constantly partake in marijuana must find themselves thinking: Could this give me erectile dysfunction?

In the same way that consistent drinking can cause issues internally that spiral into erectile dysfunction, weed users find themselves wondering if the constant smoking could be setting them up for problems in the bedroom.

Well, marijuana aficionados have one less thing to worry about: Despite years of research, no connection has been found between smoking marijuana and developing ED. But that’s not to say that weed is great for your sex life, either; rather, daily marijuana use might affect a man sexually in other ways.

Namely, studies have found that men that smoke before engaging in sexual activity can often have difficulties reaching orgasm. For some, this might not sound so bad, but the inability to reach conclusion during sex can be downright frustrating and upsetting.

So daily marijuana enjoyment won’t lead to erectile dysfunction, but it isn’t exactly a miracle drug that will help your sex life. Like all things in life, if you enjoy marijuana, do so in moderation.

Can creatine cause erectile dysfunction?

In the world of sports, sometimes an athlete needs an outside force to help get that extra little push. For many, this means to turning to creatine supplements. Sold in powders, energy bars, drink mixes, and more, this natural substance is said to help enhance muscle mass and to help the body push past its natural limits. Every athlete seems to swear by creatine, but could this supplement be causing long-term problems for athletes in the bedroom?

Creatine helps athletes because it is chock full of a substance called adenosine triphosphate (or ATP). ATP works with the body to produce extra energy that is necessary for muscle contractions, allowing the user to utilize the muscles longer without running into muscle fatigue. As creatine is an efficient supplement for building muscle, it has become incredibly prevelant in gyms and in the bodybuilding world. But while occasional creatine usage might not be anything note worthy, it turns out that reliance upon the supplement might be creating problems internally that can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Research has found that daily long-term usage of creatine in consistently high dosages can actually overload the detoxification systems in the kidney and liver, causing the body to produce less of the enzymes found in the liver and kidney that are responsible for synthesizing hormones. When hormone production slows, the body will not only struggle to send the proper brain signals needed to produce an erection, but the afflicted may begin to lose his sex drive. With a lessened sex drive and a lack of hormones, erectile dysfunction is all but inevitable.

But that does not mean utilizing creatine is a death sentence for your erection. Experts advise creatine users to either use creatine sparingly or at the very least lowering the dosages. Otherwise, all that creatine may help a man get bigger muscles, but it won’t help in the bedroom.

My partner tells me I snore really loudly whenever I fall asleep. I’ve heard persistent snoring can cause erectile dysfunction. Is this true?

For some men, sleep is a time to lay in silence, reflecting on the day before drifting off into peaceful slumber. But for other men, sleep is an excuse to compete in a “What’s louder: A taking off airplane or my snore?” contest. Yes, many men grapple with snoring, whether they know if it or not. For some, snoring is an occasional annoyance; a weird little quirk that pops up after a night of drinking to bother your partner. But for other men, snoring is a daily occurrence. Men that struggle with snoring might have a diagnosable issue: Sleep apnea. And for men with sleep apnea, all that snoring could be a sign that erectile issues are looming in your future.

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes the afflicted to stop breathing temporarily during sleep. This is typically due to the throat muscles relaxing incorrectly, causing air intake to halt, leading to snoring. For many, it’s an annoying issue that simply means a full night’s sleep sounds like a backfiring car engine. But this diagnosable issue can affect men’s life in an unexpected way: Men with sleep apnea are more likely to develop sexual issues.

This is because sleep apnea decreases the amount of oxygen circulating throughout the body, which is vital for various body functions, including erections. This consistent deficiency of oxygen can cause oxygen dependent functions, such as erections, to suffer.

Research has found that sleep apnea can be a real issue in the bedroom, and not just because all that snoring is going to annoy your partner. In 2009, German researchers found that 69% of men that suffer from sleep apnea reported a reduction in sexual desire, while over 46% reported experiencing erectile issues.

Sleep apnea-induced erectile dysfunction is a real issue. Thankfully, it’s an issue that can be overcome. If you suffer from sleep apnea and you regularly struggle to achieve an erection, talk to your doctor about potential solutions for your sleep apnea. With work, you should be able to regulate your sleep apnea and get your sex life back to normal.