More than medication

Taking control

Making some simple lifestyle changes has been shown to improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) for many men. So even if you're on medication for your ED, it's worth giving these a go, too.

Lifestyle Dos and Don'ts

• Do fight your flab. Take some mild exercise - it can help relieve stress and keep your heart healthy, and losing weight has also been shown to help reduce erection problems in obese men. What's more, looking good and feeling good will give your self-esteem a much-needed lift and maybe even boost your pulling power or restore passion to your relationship!

• Do be open with your sexual partner - don't keep them guessing as to what the problem is or whether they no longer 'light your fire'. Discuss your erection problems and stay intimate with them, as this can help relieve any psychological problems.

• Do look at other aspects of your lifestyle that could be contributing to your ED. If you do a lot of cycling, for example, this may be affecting your symptoms - try a new form of transportation for a while and see if your ED improves.

• Don't clog up your arteries with junk. Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats. Find out more about what you should be eating (and what you shouldn't) if you are concerned about erection problems.

• Don't smoke. Tobacco can wreak havoc with your sex life because it interferes with the blood flow to your penis. Quitting smoking may feel like a daunting prospect but there's plenty of help available - and think of the possible benefits when it comes to your sex life.

• Don't go over the top with the drink - avoid 'brewers' droop' from too much alcohol.

Making such adjustments to your lifestyle could not only give your love life a boost but in the longer term it may also benefit your health generally, especially your heart. So it's a win-win situation.

Alternative approaches

Psychosexual counselling

Psychosexual counselling can work really well for men whose ED is caused largely by psychological triggers. This type of counselling gives you and your partner an opportunity to discuss sexual or emotional issues that may relate to your ED. The counsellor also offers practical advice about sex, such as foreplay technique to improve your sex life.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is a kind of talking therapy widely used to tackle conditions that are affected by the way we think about things. The therapist aims to turn any unhelpful or unrealistic emotions and thoughts that you may have into more positive feelings. In the case of ED, these may be to do with your self-esteem, your relationships, and your sexuality.

Surgery

You'd probably only be offered surgery for ED if other treatments haven't worked for you. There are two options:

• If the blood flow to your penis is known to be blocked for some reason, an operation could be carried out to unblock the affected blood vessels and allow blood to flow normally in and out of your penis.
• Inflatable cylinders can be implanted into your penis, which you can then pump up by hand. The advantage of penile implants is that you can create an erection whenever you want and for as long as you want.