Sexual dysfunction is nothing to be ashamed of — almost all men will experience it at some point in their lives. The most common types of sexual dysfunction in men include erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, decreased erection firmness, premature ejaculation, and an inability or reduced ability to orgasm.[i] Sexual dysfunction may be caused by psychological or physical factors, or a combination of both. However, if the symptoms develop slowly and worsen over time and you are overweight, over the age of 50, or struggle with other health conditions, then physical factors are likely at play. The below guide will not only help reverse many of the physical causes of sexual dysfunction, it will also maximize libido, stamina, and performance in men who are sexually healthy.
Boost Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide, or NO, is a molecule that sends signals throughout your entire body. It plays a key role in sexual arousal and functioning. It relaxes the blood vessels, helps to maintain arterial health by repairing and regenerating endothelial cells (cells that line the interior surface of the blood vessels), and helps reduce plaque build-up in the arteries.[ii] Without enough NO, the arteries can become narrowed and this prevents the flow of blood to the penis that is required for erections and orgasms. Not surprisingly, low nitric oxide is the leading cause of erectile dysfunction, especially in aging men.[iii] NO levels typically decline after 30, and unhealthy lifestyle factors can accelerate this decline. To increase nitric oxide levels, get at least 15 minutes of sunlight exposure daily, and consume nitric oxide boosting foods such as beets, dark leafy greens, raw cocoa, watermelon, pomegranate, walnuts and citrus. For a more pronounced effect, take Beet Vitality daily — it contains concentrated beetroot extract, as well as l-arginine, and other key nutrients that help boost nitric oxide production and optimize sexual functioning.
Optimize DHT Levels
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT is an extremely potent sex hormone that an enzyme called 5α-reductase synthesizes from testosterone. DHT helps create strong erections, and powerful orgasms, and it plays a key role in ejaculation. You need to maintain DHT within a delicate range however, because if it rises too high, acne, male pattern baldness, and prostate enlargement can develop. If tests indicate a deficiency of DHT, you can boost it by lifting heavy weights, reducing body fat, and increasing testosterone with an herbal supplement that also contains zinc, such as Testro Vida Pro. If levels are too high, DHT Block can help bring DHT into a healthy range, and promote a balancing of other hormones that are important for sexual functioning.
Monitor Estrogen Levels
Although men require some estrogen in order to maintain bone and heart health, estrogen dominance is a far more common problem for men.[iv] Estrogen dominance is a condition where you have too much estrogen or not enough progesterone to balance out the effects of estrogen. Common causes include prolonged stress, excess body fat, a high fat diet, poor liver function, and an overexposure to xenoestrogens (estrogen-like compounds). Xenoestrogens are found in water, personal care and cleaning products, industrial chemicals, mattresses, furniture, and plastic. They are also found in tin cans, food storage containers, pesticides, and in many foods we eat (more on this later). Estrogen dominance causes you to become less manly – you lose muscle mass, body hair becomes sparse, and you gain belly and breast fat (man boobs). Your libido and sperm count are also reduced, you may become highly emotional, and in advanced stages, erectile dysfunction and infertility develop.[v] To prevent and reverse estrogen dominance, consume a high fiber, low-fat, wholefoods-based diet and choose organic whenever possible. You should also eliminate alcohol, lose excess body fat, engage in regular aerobic exercise, optimize your liver health with LivD-Tox, and follow the recommendations below.
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Use DIM and I3C
Indole 3-carbinol (I3C) and Diindolylmethane (DIM) are two plant compounds found naturally in cruciferous vegetables. These potent antioxidant compounds have a unique ability to metabolize the toxic estrogens that lead to estrogen dominance and to restore hormonal balance. Some excellent sources of DIM and I3C that you should consume plentifully include broccoli, Bok choy, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, turnip, collard greens, and radish. If you are already experiencing the sexual symptoms of estrogen dominance or other symptoms of too much estrogen (acne, fatigue, urinary tract issues, anxiety etc.) than a concentrated DIM and I3C supplement is recommended. EstroBlock Pro is a clinical strength supplement that provides the equivalent doses of DIM and I3C as you would get by consuming 10 pounds of raw cruciferous vegetables.
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Be Wary of Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are a subtype of xenoestrogens that are from plant origin, and they function similar to estrogen in the body. Soy products are the greatest dietary source of phytoestrogens, but phytoestrogens are also found in smaller amounts in foods such as oats, barley, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds. There is a lot of controversy about phytoestrogens and their effects on the human body but consuming them in excess is undoubtedly bad for male sexual functioning and performance.[vi] One man reported in Men’s Health Magazine, “It was like my body was feminizing,” he says. “My sexual desire disappeared,” and “my penis—I won’t say it atrophied, but it was so flaccid that it looked very small in comparison with the way it used to be”. Lab tests revealed he had estrogen levels in his blood that were eight times the normal limit for men. He didn’t have any of the usual risk factors for estrogen dominance, but he was drinking about 3 quarts of soy milk a day. After discontinuing the soy milk his estradiol levels gradually returned to normal and his estrogen dominance symptoms reversed.[vii]
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Just Say No to Animal Products
Many men associate meat eating with masculinity and virility, but its effects are quite the opposite. Animals products are the highest dietary sources of estrogen and exposure to estradiol is nearly 10,000 times greater from meat than it is from xenoestrogens.[viii] Factory farming practices make the estrogen load even higher because many animals are injected with estradiol (an estrogen metabolite) in order to enhance their growth.[ix] [x] And dairy products are the absolute worst offenders — researchers have found that milk makes up 60-70% of the total estrogen consumed in the average American diet.[xi] Eliminating animal products not only helps fight estrogen dominance, researchers have found veganism also helps increase testosterone levels, and testosterone is the leading hormone for sexual desire and performance.[xii] If veganism is impractical for you, then consider reducing the frequency and portion size of the dairy, meat, and poultry that you consume, and taking EstroBlock daily to help eliminate the excess estrogens.
[i] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9122-sexual-dysfunction-in-males
[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0741521404005026
[iii] https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article/43/3/658/321047
[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12630073
[v] www.nature.com › scientific reports › articles
[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21353476
[vii] https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19539170/soys-negative-effects/
[viii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLENOIB4wEs
[ix] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834504/
[x] https://lawpublications.barry.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=facultyscholarship
[xi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524299/
[xii] https://nutritionfacts.org/2013/02/12/less-cancer-in-vegan-men-despite-more-testosterone/
