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.

I drink three cups of coffee a day, but I worry that all the caffeine could cause erectile dysfunction. Can drinking too much coffee actually caused ED?

For some men, the very idea of starting the day without a piping hot cup of coffee is sacrilege. For these men, coffee is more than just a delicious beverage; it is a cup of courage, there to push you out the door to face the day. But after that first cup comes the second cup when the midday slump hits at 1, followed later by another cup when you begin to burn out around 5. Repeat every day for 30 years.

Coffee is an absolutely vital part of the day for many, but could all this coffee be spelling trouble for your erection? Sure, it wakes you up in the morning, but could it be killing your sex life?

Well good news coffee fiends; regular coffee consumption has not been found to cause erectile dysfunction. Even men on a 20-cup a day habit have nothing to fear, as black coffee does not have erectile killing properties. What’s more, research has found that regular coffee intake can actually reduce a man’s odds of developing erectile dysfunction. So not only is that coffee helping you to make it to work on time; it just might be saving your sex life.

But that is only in relation to black coffee. Men who like to enjoy their coffee sweet could actually be putting their erection at risk by indulging in multiple cups a day.

This is because coffee is sweetened with sugar, and sugar is absolutely not good for a man’s body. By drinking high-sugar coffee several times a day, a man could put himself a risk of developing high blood sugar, which can spiral into full-blown Diabetes. Diabetes is tied to a litany of health issues, including, you guessed it, erectile dysfunction.

So men knocking down black as midnight cups of coffee day in and day out have nothing to fear. But men who enjoy their coffee on the sweet side could be putting themselves at risk of developing erectile issues. Men who just need their coffee should consider switching to black coffee or, at the very least, cutting down on the sugar put into the coffee. It just might make the difference in saving your erection.

Are there any foods that can cause erectile dysfunction?

Men will do just about anything to protect their erection. For many men, the very concept on not being able to stay sexually active is enough to keep them away from vices such as cigarettes and steroids. But what about the food we eat? Even the most erectile-minded man probably only gives minimal thought to the food he’s consuming. Could the food we’re putting in our bodies actually end up being the cause of erectile dysfunction?

Actually, it is possible. Research has found that consistently consuming certain kinds of food do put a man at a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Thankfully, to save your erection and your sex life, we’ve compiled a list of the three food groups you want to avoid to keep your erection happy and healthy.

Fried Foods: While fried food is delicious, it definitely isn’t good for your erection. The oils utilized in frying food have been found to be downright awful for the body, contributing to the development of heart issues, cholesterol problems, and, you guessed it, erectile dysfunction.

Soy: While soy might seem harmless, the truth is that it can cause issues internally in men. This is because consuming soy can actually have an estrogenic effect; meaning that when soy is consumed, estrogen levels rise and your hormones get out of whack. This can cause a decrease in sexual function, which translates into erectile dysfunction.

Canned Foods: Sure, canned food can be convenient, but a chemical known as Bisphenol-A (or BPA) is commonly found in canned foods. This little chemical can inhibit sexual hormones, leading to missed erections, decreased sexual desires, and a litany of sexual issues. Skip the canned variety and opt for fresh.

It might be hard to cut these foods out of your diet, but your erection will thank you. Make smart choices, eat well, and erectile dysfunction will be the last of your worries.