Erectile dysfunction is one of the most prevalent sexual health problems in men. It is a condition in which a man loses the ability to get and sustain an erection for sex. According to studies, an estimated 50% of men who are in their 50s have it, and that percentage rises to 60% for men who are in their 60s.

While erectile dysfunction is much more likely to affect men who are older, it can still strike those who are under 40. There was a study that found that about one in every four adult men under the age of 40 experience it, with half of the cases being severe erectile dysfunction.

What can you do to not encounter any erectile problems? How do you reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction and enjoy many years of satisfying sex?

The following are examples of threats and dangers that you have to avoid to keep your erections firm and long-lasting:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a widespread health problem that occurs when the long-term force of blood that presses against your arteries becomes so high. Usually, it does not trigger noticeable signs and symptoms, but some people who have it have reported experiencing shortness of breath and headaches, which typically manifest when the problem gets to a life-threatening or severe stage.

Some of the risk factors linked to high blood pressure are:

Age

It is much more likely to affect men and women who are in their 60s.

Weight

The risk of having it is greater if you are overweight or obese.

Lack of exercise

People who have an inactive or sedentary lifestyle tend to have high heart rates, which means that their hearts need to work a lot harder to pump blood and have a greater risk of being overweight and obese.

Diet

Eating foods that are loaded with sodium can lead to more fluids retained in your body, resulting in a rise in your blood pressure.

High cholesterol

High cholesterol occurs when fatty deposits form in your blood vessels, restricting the blood circulation and blood flow in your body. It can affect children and adults and can be caused by several different factors, including:

Diet

Eating foods that are high in saturated fat (or fat found in animal products) and trans fats (or fat found in a number of commercially processed foods) can cause your cholesterol levels to rise.

Smoking

Substances found in a cigarette can reduce your good cholesterol or HDL levels, and cause damage and harm your blood vessels, and increase the chances of fatty deposits to accumulate in there.

Physical fitness

A lack of exercise can increase your bad cholesterol or LDL levels.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar levels are elevated, causing a variety of symptoms, such as increased thirst, extreme hunger, frequent urination, slow-healing wounds, and fatigue. Its two most common types are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and can strike men and women, young and old.

Your odds of developing diabetes depend on certain risk factors, including:

Family history

Your risk of type 1 diabetes is greater if any of your parents or your sibling has it.

Weight

In the case of type 2 diabetes, the more you weigh, the more insulin-resistant your cells become, resulting in higher blood sugar levels in your body.

Exercise

The more physically active you are, the more your body uses up your glucose reserve as an energy source and the more efficient your cells are when it comes to insulin.

Stress

Stress can negatively impact your body, feelings, behavior, and thoughts. It comes with a lot of side effects that can affect your day-to-day routine, such as headaches, muscle pain or tension, chest pain, lack of focus, restlessness, reduced libido, stomach problems, sleep problems, irritability, reduced libido, and increase in cigarette or alcohol consumption.

To manage it, medical professionals recommend doing healthy and smart lifestyle habits, such as:

Regular exercise

This boosts the amounts of happiness hormones that your body releases, keeping your stress levels down.

Relaxation techniques

Meditation, tai chi, yoga, massage, and deep breathing are a few examples of relaxation activities that you can do to calm yourself down and clear your mind.

Hobbies

Set aside time for hobbies that can keep you busy, release the tension in your muscles, and relax your entire body such as reading, music, and sports.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a disorder in which you lose control of the amount of alcohol you drink, putting your safety at risk and causing health problems. Its common signs and symptoms include strong urges to drink alcohol, not being able to limit how much alcohol your drink, and spending a lot of your time drinking.

Health professionals advise that men limit themselves to a maximum of two drinks per day, and women one drink per day, to not jeopardize their health. Otherwise, the following complications may occur:

Accidents

Driving a car under the influence puts you at great risk of accidents.

Sexually transmitted infections or STDs

People tend to be reckless when it comes to sex when they are drunk, so the risk of contracting STDs is high.

Liver disease

Excessive alcohol intake can damage your liver, and result in cancer, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, or other diseases.

Smoking

Smoking is an addiction that has negative effects on your vital bodily processes and functions. It exposes your body to nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance that can cause physical and psychological changes that can be very harmful in the long run.

Examples of the negative effects of smoking are:

Lung cancer

According to health experts, about 90% of lung cancer cases are because of smoking.

Heart problems

The substances contained in cigarettes and tobacco can clog your blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Diabetes

Smoking can increase your body’s insulin resistance, raising your blood glucose levels and increasing your risk of diabetes-related complications, such as eye problems and kidney disease.