In the early 1970’s, erection problems were thought to have an underlying psychological problem.  Nowadays, it is well recognized that approximately half of all impotent men have a physical or structural problem as a cause of impotence.  Some of the possible organic causes of impotence include poor circulation to the penis due the atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, anemia, diabetes, medications, recreational drugs, and socially accepted poisons.  Some of the possible psychological causes include fatigue, negative emotions, and stress.

Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment

1. Eat as close to nature as possible.  In general, this means avoiding refined foods (e.g., white sugar), processed foods (e.g., white flour), and animal fats.  Pumpkinseeds and bee pollen or royal jelly are good items to include in your diet.

2. To rule out physical causes, try the stamp test.  Place a roll of stamps around the penis before going to bed at night.  If you wake up in the morning and the stamps are broken, you know that you had an erection during the night.  Men will naturally have several erections while they sleep as well as in the morning when they wake up.

3. Reduce your intake of alcohol.  Studies show that alcohol reduces testosterone levels in men.  This not only increases their risk of heart attack, but reduces their sexual function as well.

4. If you smoke...stop.  (See “Smoking Addiction.”)  Tobacco and recreational drugs (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, etc.) may reduce sperm count as well as decrease circulation to the small blood vessels that supply the penis.  Stimulants such as coffee and chocolate also decrease penile blood supply by increasing the production of adrenaline and should be avoided.

5. While regular exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, exercise before sex will direct blood to other areas of the body, making it less available for the penis.  Vigorous exercise, like pain, will increase the body’s production of opiates, which shut off sexual stimuli.

6. Negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and disappointment can result in decreased libido.  Try talking out your feelings with your partner.  This will help you release the stress you’re feeling inside and hopefully, bring you closer to the one you love.  It’s important you learn to relax at lovemaking.  Otherwise, your stress increases production of norepinephrine, a sympathetic hormone released by the adrenals, which will counteract an erection. (See “Stress.”)

7. Consider the possibility of heavy metal toxicity.  (See “Chelation Therapy.”)  Any heavy metal in excess (e.g., aluminum, cadmium, lead, mercury, etc.) can result in hormonal dysfunctions as well as hardening of the arteries.  A hair analysis is only a screen for heavy metals. A 24-hour urine collection, after oral or IV challenge with a chelating agent, is more specific for toxicity from heavy metals.

8. Re-evaluate your drug regimen.  Some medications cause impotence.  This is particularly true of tranquilizers (e.g., Valium), blood pressure medications, antihistamines (e.g., Sudafed), and anti-ulcer medications (e.g., Tagamet and Zantac).  If possible, under the supervision of your physician, these should be gradually reduced and/or eliminated.  Yohimbine, a medication made from the bark of the yohimbine tree, is known to increase penile circulation, as well as sexual desire, by increasing parasympathetic activity.

9. Check your hormone levels of testosterone, DHEA, and/or Pregnenolone.  Generally speaking, your levels should be close to mid-range for your age.  If hormone levels are low, these hormones can be made from natural sources and taken until improvement is noted either physically or by laboratory testing.  (See “Hypothyroidism.”)

10. Supplements found to be useful in this condition include vitamins A, C, and E, B-complex, the mineral Zinc, male glandular, GH3, and the amino acid L-Arginine.  These help with the stimulation of sex hormones, circulation, and increasing sperm count.

11. Herbs known to be of benefit include ginseng and gotu kola.

12. Homeopathics to be considered are:  Agnus Castus (in early cases where desire is absent), Argentum Nitricum (where there is fear of intercourse), Conium (if impotence is worse from anger), Lycopodium (in persistent cases), Phosphoric Acid (where erections are weak), and Sabal Serrulata (especially in the elderly or when there is enlargement of the prostate).

To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to www.NewHopeMedical.org or call NEW HOPE MEDICAL CENTER at (702) 476-0000 (direct line) or toll free (866) HEAL-NOW!