Nine Secrets for Stronger Erections
Viagra and Similar Meds Are Very Effective--but Lifestyle Strategies May Be All You Need
AS MEN ENTER their 30s and 40s, their sexual performance changes, along with the quality of their erections. Even so, says Steven Lamm, M.D., there’s no reason that guys can’t continue to have strong erections—and the satisfying sex that goes with them—throughout middle age and beyond.
“First and foremost, you must realize that the quality of your erections is related to the health of your blood vessels,” he says. “Keeping your cardiovascular system healthy is just as important for your sex life as it is for preventing a heart attack or stroke. The goal should always be to address any issues when you first notice them, rather than waiting until there’s a real problem.”
Smartman Daily asked Dr. Lamm to share his strategies for ensuring that you (and your partner) can enjoy strong, reliable erections:
1. Watch your waistline. This isn’t about looking attractive—although that’s a nice side benefit. How much body fat you have is the single best marker for cardiovascular trouble—including the kind that affects erections. If your waistline is less than 34 inches, you’re virtually certain to be carrying a low amount of body fat on your frame.
2. Get enough sleep. Less than seven hours a night, and you risk disrupting the ebb and flow of hormones that govern sex drive and potency. The last sleep cycles before you wake are when you get most of your REM, or dreaming, sleep. Erections are common during this sleep phase—which means by sleeping longer, you’re getting more good, healthy blood flow to your penis.
3. Avoid common toxins. If you smoke or use cocaine or other illicit drugs, erections problems are a virtual certainty. Cigarettes, pot and cocaine damage the lining of your blood vessels, including those within your penis. And while we don’t yet know the precise mechanism, even moderate consumption of alcohol (more than one drink a day) negatively affects the quality of erections.
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About the Author
Steven Lamm, M.D., is clinical professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and an internist in private practice, both in New York City. He has been as an investigator for numerous studies on sexual health, and is co-author of The Hardness Factor: How to Achieve Your Best Health and Sexual Fitness at Any Age (HarperCollins). He lives in New York City with his wife and five children.
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