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Is Diabetes Linked to ED?

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Is Diabetes Linked to ED?

 Men who struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED) find they often can’t get or maintain an erection firm enough for sex. Although it’s extremely common—as many as 30 million men in America have this problem—it can leave sufferers feeling isolated, frustrated, and discouraged.

 Among men who have diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, ED is particularly widespread. In fact, studies suggest that 35 to 75 percent of men with diabetes will go on to develop ED at some point, compared to 26 percent of the general population—and over the age of 70, about 95 percent of men with diabetes have some difficulty with an erection. Men with diabetes also tend to develop ED 10 to 15 years sooner than men without diabetes.

 So what’s the connection?

Why are men with diabetes more likely to have ED? 

Although the causes of ED are many and complex, one of the main reasons it’s more prevalent in men with diabetes is that long-term high blood sugar levels can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels—including those serving the penis. So even if a man has normal testosterone levels and his desire for sex is fine, he still may not be able to get a firm erection.

 Another way diabetes can interfere with arousal is by suppressing production of the substance that stimulates the erectile tissue in the penis to fill with blood. When a man becomes sexually aroused, a neurotransmitter called nitric oxide gets released into his bloodstream. Nitric oxide makes the arteries and muscles in the penis relax, which allows more blood to flow into the penis and causes an erection.

 When blood sugar levels get too high, less nitric oxide is produced, which can mean there’s not enough blood flow to the penis for a strong erection. For men with diabetes who struggle with swings in blood sugar level, this can be a problem.

 What’s more, having diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes), or being overweight (or both), doubles the chance that a man will have low testosterone—which itself can mean less sexual desire, and fewer and weaker erections.

What can men with diabetes do to help prevent ED? 

If you have diabetes and you’re having trouble getting an erection, first talk to your doctor. It could well be that other health problems that often go with diabetes, like high blood pressure or kidney disease, are at the root of your difficulties. Or maybe you’re taking a medicine that causes ED as a side effect. If so, your doctor should be able to help pinpoint the real cause and guide you to the right course of action.

 In any case, carefully controlling your blood sugar levels can certainly help minimize erection problems, and can even prevent them altogether, by limiting nerve and blood vessel damage. You’ll also feel much healthier (and sexier) in general!

 There’s a recent study suggesting that amino acids called l-arginine and l-citrulline may help improve erectile function. We know these amino acids increase the body’s production of nitric oxide, the neurotransmitter that stimulates erectile tissue. Since men with diabetes tend to produce lower levels of nitric acid, maybe supplementing the diet with these substances could make it easier to get an erection.

 Weight loss may also be a big part of the solution for many men. Being overweight means your body is less able to use the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar—and as we know, excessive blood sugar increases your chances of nerve and vascular damage, which cause ED. Even a small weight loss of 5 to 7 percent of your body weight can have a big impact on sexual performance. There’s evidence to prove that in men with diabetes weight loss improves testosterone levels, sexual desire, blood flow, and erectile function.

 If you’re a man with diabetes who’s struggling with ED, get in touch with us at Evolution Medical Group to about the safe and ground-breaking solutions we offer—including our personalized Body N Balance wellness and weight loss systems, which will support you through manageable and lasting weight loss.

 

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

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 Why not just sit back, relax and enjoy this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili recipe. This is great for a healthy easy weekend meal that your entire family will enjoy.  It is also great for a neighborhood pot luck.  Enjoy this fabulous time of year with this easy healthy dish!

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 6 hrs

Total Time 6 hrs 15 mins

Stage: 2 and Beyond
Servings: 6
Calories: 328

Ingredients
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil or Olive Oil extra virgin/ unrefined
• 2 Cups chopped yellow onion about 1 large onion
• 1 green pepper diced
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1 pound grass-fed beef or bison
• 1 28oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1/2 6oz can tomato paste
• 1 14oz can pumpkin puree
• 1 Cup chicken broth or water
• 2.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. pink salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper

Instructions
1. Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add oil and sauté the onions and peppers. About 7 minutes or until onions start to soften.
2. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds or until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef/bison. Use a spatula or large spoon to break it up as it cooks. Cook until meat is nearly cooked through.
4. Transfer meat mixture to the slow cooker.
5. Add remaining ingredients and stir.
6. Set heat to LOW and cook for about 6 hours
Recipe Notes
Be sure to read all labels for sugar content!!

These ED “Cures” Can Make the Problem Worse

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These ED “Cures” Can Make the Problem Worse

Men who are suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED), will try just about anything to get back the performance and stamina they used to have in the bedroom. Unfortunately, some of those “fixes” can actually make the problem worse.

In fact, some of the most popular ED treatments have effects that can last long after their effects have worn off.

Here are some of the risky side effects associated with four common ED treatments.

The little blue pill

Since 1998, when Viagra was approved for market, men have been bombarded with advertisements for ED drugs. And all those marketing dollars have worked. Just because people are popping them like candy doesn’t mean they’re safe. The three most popular medicines for ED—Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra—all have significant risks, ranging from splitting headache, back pain, upset stomach, flushing, and blurred vision to heart attack, mini-strokes, and even death.[1]

[1] Lowe G, Costabile RA. 10-Year analysis of adverse event reports to the Food and Drug Administration for phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors. J Sex Med. 2012;9(1):265-270.

There’s a reason more and more men are turning away from these drugs and looking for real, safe solutions to their ED!

Injections

If the notion of sticking a needle in your penis in order to get an erection leaves you cringing, you’re not alone. But injections pose risks beyond discomfort. Some of the most common injectible ED medications—alprostadil, papaverine, phentolamine—can cause hives, fainting, dizziness, bleeding, liver damage, digestive upset … the list goes on. And let’s not forget priapism—an erection that won’t quit and will land you in the ER instead of enjoying a post-lovemaking embrace.

Plus, as time goes on, you’re doing damage to your penis with each injection. That’s because each puncture can cause scar tissue. And that scar tissue can cause a severe curve to develop in the penis—a condition called Peyronie’s disease. In addition, scar tissue can make it difficult or impossible to get an erection.

If you have scar tissue from using penile injections, there’s a therapy that can help. It’s called Acoustic Wave Therapy, and it can help break up scar tissue, improve blood flow, and stimulate nerve endings in the penis.

Vacuum pumps

Vacuum, or pumps, use suction and constriction to help a man achieve and maintain an erection for long enough to have intercourse. The good thing about vacuum pumps is that they don’t require any drugs. That means they don’t have the same contraindications that pills and injections can have. But as with pills and injections, they come with risks.

The main issue is that an erection achieved with a pump doesn’t feel the same as a natural erection. There can be numbness, bruising, and a decrease in the force of ejaculation.

But the biggest problem is that if the device doesn’t have a “quick release” feature, the excessive, prolonged suction can cause serious injury to the penis.

Implants

The last resort for some men with ED is a penile implant. These implants can either be bendable rods or inflatable prostheses. Implants are typically used when there’s a serious medical reason for ED, but they’re also sometimes used for Peyronie’s Disease.

Before you consider an implant, make sure you’ve truly considered all other options, because once you’ve had an implant you can’t go back to normal penile function. The surgery may make it impossible to have a natural erection again. And, of course, implants come with risks. Some are standard for any surgery—bleeding or infection, for instance. Others include scar tissue, problems with the device that require further surgery, or erosion of the tissue around the device.

 

Low-Risk Help for ED

If you’re currently experiencing ED, all these risks may make you wonder whether it’s possible to have a natural, pleasurable, pain-free erection again. The good news is that there are safe and effective options available—without drugs, surgery, or clunky, mood-killing devices.

Contact us today to find out how our cutting-edge therapies can help you regain what you’ve lost and feel like yourself again.

Beat the heat this summer with our refreshing Crisp Lemon Cucumber Water recipe

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A great refreshing way to stay hydrated this summer!

 

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 4 hrs

Total Time 4 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients

  • ½ Lemon, sliced
  • 8-10 Cilantro, sprigs
  • 1 Cucumber, sliced
  • Ground Ginger to taste, optional
  • 3 quart Filtered Water

 

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients into a 1 gallon drink container
  2. Infuse for a minimum 4 hours, best if left over night
  3. Serve cold or over ice

7 Tips for Stronger Erections

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7 Tips for Stronger Erections

 

It’s a tricky topic to talk about. For many men who have trouble maintaining a strong erection, it’s just too embarrassing to mention.

 

That’s why, even though around 30 million men in the United States struggle with erection problems in some form, so many suffer in silence.

 

But in fact there are simple, safe strategies you can use that may help strengthen your erection. Here are 7 everyday tips that could help get things moving in the right direction.

Tip 1: Watch what you eat

Getting a solid erection is all about good blood flow. So anything that’s bad for your vascular system is also bad for your bedroom performance.

 

A diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish, and heart-healthy fats like nuts and olive oil, is the best for keeping cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and keeping blood vessels healthy—including those bringing blood to the penis. (And recent research has shown that men eating a ‘Mediterranean-style’ diet like this are less likely to have erection problems.)

 

Maintaining a healthy weight is also key. Obesity itself can bring down testosterone levels, and type 2 diabetes, which is linked with being overweight, not only accelerates arterial disease (bad for blood flow), it also slows down nerve transmission, which can make erections elusive.

 

If it’s too late to avoid diabetes, be vigilant in checking and controlling your blood sugar—recent Italian study, men who are careless about controlling their levels a higher chance of major erection problems than those who stay on top of things.

Tip 2: Get up and move!

Nothing encourages blood flow like aerobic exercise. Exercise also builds the body’s nitric oxide, which is what stimulates the erectile tissue in the penis.

 

Things like running and swimming definitely help with erection problems – but you might want to think twice about doing a lot of cycling. The blood vessels and nerves supplying the penis can suffer when there’s a lot of pressure on the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus)—so if you do want to spend time on a bike, make sure your saddle fits comfortably, wear padded cycling pants and be sure to stand up frequently to stop things getting numb!

 

Even walking is great—researchers have found that walking just 2 miles a day can significantly reduce ED risk.

Tip 3: Ditch the cigarettes

Researchers at the University of Kentucky asked men to rate their sex lives on a scale of 1 to 10. They found that, while men who smoked averaged a disappointing 5, nonsmokers rated their bedroom satisfaction at a super-healthy 9.

 

Smoking sabotages your performance in several ways. Cigarettes not only damage your vascular system outright, but nicotine also makes blood vessels contract, so blood just can’t pump through to the penis as it should. What’s more, smoking may make penile tissue less elastic and prevent it from stretching.

 

If you ever needed (another) good reason to quit, surely this is it!

Tip 4: Cut down on drinking

There’s no evidence that moderate alcohol consumption is bad for erectile function—but long-term heavy drinking can definitely cause nerve damage and hormonal imbalances that lead to performance problems.

 

And in the short term, a big dose of booze acts as a depressant on the nervous system—which can pull the plug on sexy-time arousal.

 

Best to keep it to two drinks a day, maximum—especially on date night—to give yourself the best chance in the bedroom.

Tip 5: Don’t give up your morning Joe

Coffee can help, surprisingly. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that men who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day were less likely to suffer from erection problems than those who chose caffeine-free drinks.

Tip 6: Decompress and destress

Stress is definitely bad news for an erection. Not only does psychological upset mess with performance from an emotional standpoint, but the hiked adrenaline levels that go with it make blood vessels contract—and, once again, restricted flow means no-go.

 

So anything you can do to ease tension and feel better emotionally is likely to give your sex life a boost. Many men find meditation, yoga (great for circulation too!) and even acupuncture help them relax enough to reduce their erection problems.

Tip 7: Get your snooze on

Did you know that every night while you sleep you have up to five erections, each up to an hour long? Those erections are ‘recharging’ your penis—keeping it healthy and well-nourished with oxygenated blood. So it seems the more shut-eye you get, the happier your penis will be!

 

And on your way to bed, have a good yawn. Yawning and getting an erection are both controlled by nitric oxide, released in the brain—so a big yawn can actually cause a bit of a lift below the belt!

 

If you’re still struggling, don’t worry. There are other super-effective treatments that could help you—without drugs, surgery or needles. Contact Evolution Medical Group to talk to one of our specialists about safe, groundbreaking procedures like acoustic wave therapy and bioidentical hormone therapy, that could transform your life.

Low Libido? 5 Surprising Causes

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5 Surprising Causes of Low Libido

Low sex drive can have far-reaching effects for men. It damages self-esteem and causes tension in romantic relationships. Unfortunately, it’s pretty common. In fact, one in five men will suffer a loss of libido in his lifetime.[i]

 

There’s good news, though. Many times there’s a clear cause of a drop in libido—and many of those causes can be addressed with the help of a men’s health expert. Here are some of the more surprising causes of low libido … and how you can fix them.

 

  1. Diabetes

When we think of the effects of diabetes, we don’t tend to think about sexual health. But if you think about it, it makes sense that poorly controlled diabetes can be at the root of low libido and sexual performance issues. After all, high blood sugar can cause nerve damage, as well as vascular problems. And don’t forget that people with type 2 diabetes often struggle with weight.

 

Nerve damage makes it difficult to maintain an erection and to feel pleasurable sensations in the penis. Vascular problems can restrict blood flow to the penis, making it more difficult to get an erection. Excess weight also increases your chances of having erectile dysfunction (ED).

 

These performance issues can make men feel stressed about sex, which is known to decrease libido.

 

Plus, type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for low testosterone, and higher testosterone levels significantly cut the risk of type 2 diabetes.[ii] When testosterone levels are low, libido plummets.

 

So one way to get to the root of low libido is to get your blood sugar under control and get to a healthy weight. You can do that with a custom-tailored health and wellness program like Body N Balance.

 

  1. Stress & psychological issues

Job woes got you down? Stressed about money? Try as you might, it’s hard to turn those worries off when it’s time to get turned on. Stress is a major cause of both low libido and ED.

 

Depression is another libido killer. That’s because when you’re depressed, you stop taking pleasure in once-pleasurable activities—like sex. Plus, it’s difficult to muster the energy for intimacy and connection when you’re depressed.

 

Antidepressants may help treat depression, but unfortunately they can make matters in the bedroom worse. Low libido is a common side effect of antidepressants.

 

So what’s the solution? If your mood or life circumstances are getting in the way of your sex life, talk to a trusted healthcare professional who looks at the whole picture, instead of just treating symptoms. A combination of lifestyle approaches and holistic treatments can help address the stress and depression at the root of your low sex drive.

 

  1. Hair loss medications

In an effort to curb or even reverse hair loss, some men make a sacrifice they never intended to make: their libido. And not just their libido, but their sexual health in general. The reason? Sexual dysfunction is right up there on the laundry list of side effects caused by finasteride (brand name: Propecia), one of the most common hair loss medications.

 

Just look at the effects noted by one study conducted on otherwise healthy men between the ages of 21 and 46 who were using finasteride:[iii]

  • 94 percent of men developed low libido
  • 92 percent of men developed ED
  • 92 percent of men experienced decreased arousal
  • 69 percent developed problems with orgasm

 

The worst part? Three months after quitting finasteride, these effects persisted.

 

But that doesn’t mean you need to choose between a full head of hair and a fulfilling sex life. In fact, there are plenty of effective fixes for hair loss that don’t come with the side effects of popular medications.

 

  1. Cardiovascular issues

Heart and vascular issues are another surprising cause of low libido in men. One reason is physiological: When circulation suffers, blood flow to the penis is compromised. That can get in the way of arousal and erections.

 

Another reason is that the medications used to treat heart disease can lower libido and cause other sexual issues. (Note that men who take nitrates for angina symptoms should not use ED drugs.)

 

Then there’s the psychological factor: Many men who have heart issues worry about having sex again. “Postsurgical discomfort, poor self-image, and the anxiety of an overprotective partner are frequently cited obstacles, according to a Harvard Heart Letter.

 

The Harvard experts stress, though, that for most men with cardiovascular disease, it’s safe to have sex. For some, it’s better to get the condition under control first, according to the Letter. “People in high-risk categories, such as those with uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, or advanced heart failure, should defer sexual activity until their condition is adequately treated.”

 

Be sure to talk openly with both your doctor and your partner about your concerns and fears. And whether you have cardiovascular disease or not, it’s important to follow a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle—for both your heart health and your sexual wellness.

  1. Obesity

Obesity is a factor in some of the other libido killers we’ve already discussed, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. That’s one of the reasons it’s a contributor to sexual problems. But obesity also can cause self-confidence and body image issues, which both make it difficult to drum up excitement for adventures between the sheets.

 

Another way obesity—especially abdominal obesity—causes sexual problems is by decreasing testosterone in the body. Low testosterone levels are a common cause of low libido, as well as erectile dysfunction.

 

The good news is that obesity can be reversed with a well-planned, thoughtful weight and wellness program like Body N Balance. And hormone issues can be addressed with tailored bioidentical hormone therapy.

 

Moving forward

Low libido can be a drag on relationships, self-esteem, and overall happiness. But the good news is that many of the underlying causes can be addressed with non-invasive therapies that have the added benefit of improving your overall health.

 

[i] https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/loss-of-libido

[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793809/

[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21418145