Erectile Dysfunction- natural solutions
By Melissa Bridge

This is one of those articles that you might want to read in private. I expect that as you scan the title you are thinking of the excuse you will give, if anyone sees you reading it. " A friend mentioned he had a problem." "I'm just interested.' You really don't need to be so self-conscious, every tenth person could have reason to be looking at this article as studies have found that about one in ten men over eighteen suffer from impotence at some time and the incidence increases with age. There is also a great deal of help available, not just the much talked about Viagra or those awkward looking gadgets.

Nowadays impotence is known as erectile dysfunction or ED. We imagine that we live in sexually liberated times but self consciousness and embarrassment are a side effects of ED and despite it being common, men may be reluctant to seek help. Whilst it is men who experience ED, it is not only them who are affected. Partners may suffer distress too and unless the couple are able to discuss the condition, their relationship may suffer or even end altogether. A woman with a partner who experiences ED may feel rejected, that she is not sexually attractive or that she it to blame for the problem in some way. If a man is reluctant to admit, even to his partner, that he is affected by ED, she may feel that he is no longer interested in her and he may find it more comfortable to go along with that idea than to admit to himself that he has a problem. In addition worries over sexual performance may affect a man's overall confidence and capability at work and ability to form relationships in general.

Why does ED occur? ED at any age can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes or a problem with blood circulation so it is of utmost importance that men with any concern of this kind should discuss it with a qualified medical practitioner. Amongst men with more than a temporary difficulty, 70% are found to have mainly physical cause and 30% a mainly psychological cause but most men find there is a combined effect partly because worry about sexual performance will make the problem worse.

However, an occasional inability to perform is not a serious issue and will happen to just about any man at some time. Any of the usual suspects may be involved, work stress, family worries, relationship problems or lack of sleep can prevent any normal man from being the sex machine he dreams of, at least until life becomes easier. Perhaps the most common cause of a temporary inability to get an erection has been known for at least four hundred years. Alcohol 'provokes the desire but takes away from the performance' as William Shakespeare said. So cutting down drinking and other recreational drugs, trying to get more sleep, eating a balanced diet, taking exercising and reducing stress levels will all help. If stress has become a permanent problem rather than a temporary response to a difficult situation then it is worth thinking about stress relieving therapies such as cranial massage, reflexology and meditation, to learn how to control those fight or flight responses.

The incidence of ED increases with age, so that 10% of men in between twenty and thirty experience this problem but this increases to around 50% between the ages of forty and seventy. In the past many people would have accepted this as a natural part of ageing, just something to put up with, but nowadays people expect a better quality of life past their mid years. People expect to be able to have a full sex life at least until the final decade of their life and there is help available.

Once you have eliminated the possibility of an underlying medical condition the next step in deciding how to approach the problem is some self-diagnosis. You need to decide if the problem is low libido or inability to perform; to put it more colloquially, can't get it up or just not interested? Many herbal remedies contain mixtures, which can help either problem but you will be better able to choose if you know what help you need.

One of the herbal remedies that has been studied widely and found to be helpful is Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) from Brazil. It is made from the bark of a tree found in the Brazilian rainforest that has been used by indigenous Brazilians to treat many conditions as well as to increase sexual potency. It is also known as potency wood. It has been used in Europe since the nineteen twenties and recent studies have found it to be effective for 60% of men with low libido. An important point to note about this herb is that the active ingredients are most effective taken as a tincture, rather than in tablet form. It has fewer side effects than many other effective herbs and acts as a general nerve tonic.

Yohinbe extract is another herb that has been commonly used to treat ED. This African root has been used widely and was used as a prescription drug in the United States but it does have serious side effects in some people so cannot be used by everybody. It is thought to be effective in some cases but as there are some doubts over its safety and there are a number of other useful herbs, it may not be the best first choice.

Have you ever wondered where the phrase 'sowing your wild oats' came from? Apparently, stallions fed on wild oats were seen to be more sexually active. Another herbal remedy is Avena Sativa, an extract of wild green oats, which is though to be especially useful in stimulating sexual responsiveness in older men and has no side effects.

Guarana, Ginseng and Ginko Biloba are both used to some effect, often with more specific remedies, to act as a general stimulant. They are thought to be effective partly because of these herbs ability to improve blood circulation.

Similarly the Peruvian tuber Maca seems to act on the body in a similar way and was used by the Incas in ancient times to continue their quality of life into old age. It is rich in minerals and essential fatty acids and modern trials suggest it may help ED by improving general health and boosting the body's functioning.

Many natural remedies contain essential fatty acids and amino acids such as linolenic acid, which operate on the body by ensuring that it is functioning effectively and that the erection process can take place. L-arginine in particular is an amino acid, often found in herbal compounds, which helps the production of nitric oxide, needed to produce an erection. There are few recorded side effects of taking supplements of L-arginine but it is not recommended for people with a pre-existing medical condition. The Chinese herb Schizandra has been used as a general tonic to increase vigour and has been found to increase the production of nitric oxide and thus improve sexual performance.

You would expect that an herb known as Horny Goat Weed would be used to increase sex drive. This plant is otherwise known as epimedium, gardeners may recognise it as a common garden plant, and it has been used by the Chinese as a medicinal herb since 200 BC. As you might guess it was given its name because people noticed that goats grazing on this herb became (let's call a spade a spade) hornier. Recent scientific studies have shown it to be effective and it has few side effects when taken at the correct dose.

Saw Palmetto is also recommended as an herbal treatment for sexual difficulties and has been used by North American Indians for centuries. Recent studies have found that it is particularly effective in dealing with prostrate problems, helping to prevent prostate cancer. It is also effective in treating a number of more minor complaints of the urinary tract and testes so may have an overall toning effect on sexual performance.

Another herb that has been studies and found to be effective in treating ED is Tribulus Terrestris, a thorny climbing plant that is commonly known as puncture weed. It is found in many parts of the world but particularly in Australia. This herb works in a unique way. It encourages the production of Lutenizing Hormone, which in turn encourages the production of testosterone and studies have shown that it does this more effectively that some manufactured compounds. It has been particularly successful in treating people with diabetes, one cause of impotence as well as increasing male fertility.

Few side effects have occurred from taking this herbal medicine but it should always be taken on a full stomach to avoid stomach upsets. So there is no need to despair. There are a lot of people in the same boat and a range of alternative treatments available. The first step is not to suffer in silence but to talk to someone so that you avoid the vicious cycle of worrying making the problem worse. Once you've made that step, there is a world of help just waiting for you.