5 Common Habits That Fuel Erectile Dysfunction

Having erection troubles every now and again is a normal part of having a penis. But when these issues are ongoing, they can interfere with the enjoyment of your life inside and outside of the bedroom.

Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED, is defined as the persistent inability to attain or sustain an erection long enough to have sex. It’s a condition estimated to affect as many as 30 million men in the United States.

In the past, erectile dysfunction wasthought to have primarily psychological causes. Now, experts say it’s actually more common for ED to be caused by physical health issues. These include conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and vascular disease, among others.

Erectile dysfunction can sometimes be an early warning sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment. So it’s crucial to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing continued erection problems.

Some prescription drugs — such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications and sedatives — can also be a culprit. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety and stress can cause or contribute to ED as well. And in some cases, a combination of physical and psychological factors may be at play.

Here, we’ll focus on the everyday habits that can make erectile dysfunction worse. Below, urologists share the lifestyle factors you should be aware of.

1. Drinking too much alcohol.

A drink or two here and there may not have a big impact on ED issues, but excessive alcohol consumption can lead to erectile problems in the short- and long-term, Dr. Kian Asanad, urologist and University of Southern California’s Fertility & Men’s Sexual Health Center, told HuffPost.

“Alcohol is a depressant that can interfere with the