Testosterone can help with erections, but it is the last step in the journey, not the first.
Erectile Dysfunction is a difficulty that many if not most men experience as they age. Often when this begins to happen in their lives, men go to their doctor and ask for the “little Blue Pill” (Viagra or its variants).
What we are going to discuss this week is what you need to know about your health and lifestyle choices that may help you not need medicine to restore your erectile quality.
We want to talk about several examples of things that we know that contribute to the problem of ED in men and how simple changes can improve your condition without the requirement to see a physician and to obtain medications.
Usually when men come to BioBalance Health to see Dr. Maupin they often expect that testosterone pellets will solve their ED problems. While testosterone does help restore libido and can help with erections, it is the last step in the journey not the first.
For many men the first step is to check your blood pressure. If you are on Lisinopril it lowers the blood pressure in the pelvis and that will negatively impact your erections. This drug and others like it are called ACE inhibitors. They are among the most common forms of blood pressure medicines. Dr. Maupin will encourage you to discuss with your doctor whether or not moving away from ACE inhibitors and into another blood pressure regulator may help you with your erection concerns, and still regulate your blood pressure.
Your doctor will tell you that you have to look at your lifestyle: what is your caffeine intake? What is your weight? How much do you exercise? How much stress are you under? Your answer to these questions will help you figure out where you need to make changes that may solve your problem without medicines. Medicines will help you if you need them, but if you can change your lifestyle, you may no longer need the medicines. It is better to be in shape and lower your stress and watch what you eat than to take these meds which may have negative side effects.
Have these conversations with your doctor, ask them about anti inflammatory meds, ACE inhibitors, Beta Blockers, and ask about side effects. Your doctor may not think to speak to you about sexual side effects for these medicines. If they are of concern to you, then bring it up in the conversation with your doctor.
Your doctor should be able to talk to you about work arounds that will help you limit the adverse impact of the medicines and of the ED. You are an important participant in your own health care. Be aware, be involved, and be informed.
This Health cast was written and presented by Dr. Kathy Maupin, M.D., Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Expert and Author, with Brett Newcomb, MA., LPC., Family Counselor, Presenter and Author. www.BioBalanceHealth.com.
