How To Increase Blood Flow To the Penis Naturally

February 03, 2022

4 mins

Nearly 30 million men in the U.S. experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their life. There are many prescription medication options for improving erectile function, but there are also lifestyle changes that may help.

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to reach or maintain an erection. Other symptoms of erectile dysfunction are low testosterone, stress, and anxiety. A big part of having a successful erection is uninterrupted blood flow to the penis.

While the following adjustments may not cure erectile dysfunction, they may gradually increase blood flow to the penis and improve overall health.

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Why is Blood Flow to the Penis Important?

When a man is sexually aroused there is a rush of blood flow to the penis. Disruptions in blood flow to the penis can lead to erectile dysfunction complications like delayed ejaculation and retrograde ejaculation.

Health conditions like diabetes and hypertension can cause changes in blood flow to the penis. High blood sugar levels can cause low testosterone levels because of insulin resistance caused by type 2 diabetes.

Part of keeping your sexual health intact is taking steps to improve your overall health. It’s important to be mindful of what goes into the body and get enough physical exercise to stay healthy.

1) Improve Your Diet

Health experts recommend avoiding processed foods, sugary beverages, and foods with a lot of trans and saturated fats. Foods with high sodium content can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). 

Men with hypertension are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction because of a decreased flow of blood and oxygen to the nerves. This can make it more difficult for blood to flow to the penis.

Nitrates are commonly used as preservatives in meats and processed foods. Eating high amounts of nitrates can lead to atherosclerosis — a build-up of plaque in the arteries.

A few foods and drinks that health experts recommend avoiding for better health include:

• French fries

• Salted pretzels

• Sodas

• Energy drinks

Foods to add to your diet

A well-balanced diet is key to improving your overall health and reducing the chances of developing ED. A well-balanced diet includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Healthy fruits to add to your diet include:

• Bananas

• Pomegranates

• Watermelons

• Citrus

• Grapes

• Apples

• Berries

Vegetables, nuts, and lean protein that can be a part of your diet include:

• Fish

• Spinach

• Onions

• Beets

• Peppers

• Walnuts

2) Get More Exercise

Health experts recommend keeping a consistent workout routine to benefit the heart and other organs in the body. A strong heart helps to maintain efficient blood flow throughout the body. Something as small as walking for 30 minutes a day can improve your heart health.

Another option is making a weekly workout schedule for yourself with at least 40 minutes of exercise. Cardio workouts and weight training can help improve your health. 

You may want to consider adding the following workouts to your routine:

• Jogging

• Running

• Rowing

• Swimming

• Weight lifting

• Cycling

3) Try to Reduce Unhealthy Habits

Changes to erectile function won’t happen overnight. As you improve your diet and exercise habits, it’s important to consider letting go of harmful habits as well. 

Smoking tobacco is one of the top causes of erectile dysfunction in men under 40. Chemicals from smoking cigarettes can cause damage to your heart, brain, and lungs. Nicotine can also harden and constrict blood vessels. This can cause permanent damage to the lungs.

While it’s possible to achieve an erection when drinking alcohol, it may be difficult to maintain one. Men who drink excessive amounts of alcohol may experience short and long-term ED. Alcohol can cause drops in blood pressure that make the heart work harder.

4) Take Care of Your Mental Health

Making drastic changes to your lifestyle can take a toll on your mental health. If you find yourself struggling with stress and anxiety, reach out to a licensed healthcare provider about options for mental health support.

Stress can contribute to complications with erectile function from constantly engaged blood vessels, tissues, and muscles.

5) Maintain a Healthy Weight

Men who engage in physical activity and eat healthy can more easily maintain their weight. Severe obesity is one of the main causes of ED in men. Some studies have found that men with a BMI over 30 may have an increased risk of ED.

Health experts recommend cooking your food in olive oil and other healthier alternatives that may stimulate blood flow and lower your chances of obesity. Nuts and olive oil may help improve the overall quality of sperm. Chili peppers, jalapenos, and cayenne have high concentrations of capsaicin which may also improve blood flow.

How Rex MD Can Help

It may take time to see the results of all of the changes you make. If you continue to experience ED, Rex MD does have options to improve erectile function. ED does not have to be a burden on your relationships and overall quality of life.

Rex MD offers access to a variety of erectile dysfunction treatments like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) to get back to a satisfying sex life.

Get started on exploring medications that may work for you today.