A study suggests that drinking two cups of coffee a day could dramatically decrease your chance of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions. Pharmaceutical companies have put tremendous effort into providing a solution for the millions of men who suffer from ED. A new study suggests that simply drinking two cups of coffee a day could decrease the likelihood of ED by 42 percent!
According to researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, men who drank between 85 and 170 milligrams of caffeine a day (the equivalent of two cups of coffee) were 42 percent less likely to report ED. Men who drank between 171 and 303 milligrams a day were 39 percent less likely to report ED (in comparison to men who didn’t consume caffeine at all).
It is important to mention that the men were asked about consuming caffeine from other sources, such as tea and soda, as well.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Numerous factors can lead or contribute to erectile dysfunction:
- Diseases that cause blood flow issues, such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis, can block blood flow to the penis and contribute to ED. Research from the caffeine study suggests that caffeine improves blood flow to the penis by relaxing penile helicine arteries, thereby reducing the occurrence of ED .
- Damage to the nervous system could also lead to ED. For example, Parkinson’s disease and stroke can lead to ED.
- Hormonal issues and a lack of testosterone are also responsible for erectile problems.
- Many men are unaware that erectile dysfunction can also be caused by performance anxiety, a condition known as psychological erectile dysfunction. While it is hard to say what percentage of ED cases are psychological, this research paper cites a number of studies that claim that psychological issues, such as stress, anxiety and relationship problems, could be responsible for most cases of ED.
- ED can also result as a side effect of different drugs.
What to do if you experience erection problems.
If you begin to experience ED, you should see a doctor. The first line of treatment usually includes medications such as Viagra, Levitra or Cialis. If you believe your erectile dysfunction is psychological, you can try relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery and sensate focus. You can also schedule an appointment with a sex therapist.
About the author
Andrew Wilkes is a health writer for the Between Us Clinic, which offers the PE Program, an online home exercise program for treating premature ejaculation. You can read more of his work on Between Us Clinic’s blog.