Natural ED Treatments: 7 Natural Ways To Treat Erectile Dysfunction

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on June 07, 2022

Did you know that sperm volume can result from difficulties with an erection? Additionally, experts found that several natural foods can increase sperm volume and help boost erection quality. 

Sometimes, these simple changes sound good on paper but don't pan out in the long run. You may have tried using Viagra Canada, but have you tried searching for natural ED treatments? Maybe you have come across articles that promote a single food or supplement that can make all the difference. 

Luckily, you can stop those searches. At UPGUYS, we have put together a complete guide on the most popular natural ED treatments, how they stack up against science, and whether medication is a better option long term.

Are you still interested? Keep reading on and learn more!

In this article, we talk about the following:

1. What are natural ED treatments?
2. Healthy diet
3. Increased physical activity
4. Improved sleep
5. Reduced stress
6. Psychotherapy or counselling
7. Reducing alcohol and tobacco intake
8. Adding Supplements
9. Permanent erectile dysfunction treatments
10. When natural ED solutions don't work
11. Erectile dysfunction natural treatment FAQs
12. Are permanent ED treatments safe?
13. Are natural erectile dysfunction solutions better than medication?
14. Can erectile dysfunction come back?
15. How can you afford erectile dysfunction treatment options?
16. Can you buy ED treatments over the counter?
17. Solving your sexual intimacy problems

What Are Natural ED Treatments?

Natural ED treatments are ways you can manage problems with an erection at home. Typically, these include treatments and therapies like:

1. Healthy diet
2. Increased physical activity
3. Improved sleep
4. Reduced stress
5. Psychotherapy or counselling
6. Reducing alcohol and tobacco intake
7. Supplements

Let's dive into the specifics more on these seven natural solutions. 

1- Healthy Dieting

Eating healthy reduces your risk of chronic illnesses like high cholesterol or heart disease. These diseases are precursors to many problems with erections. Implementing a healthy diet can help prevent sexual dysfunction problems or treat current ones. 

Don't neglect healthy dieting as a way to improve overall wellness!

2- Increased Physical Activity

The benefits of eating healthy and exercising regularly include:

1. Reduce risk for chronic disease and illness
2. Improved energy
3. Improved quality of life
4. And more

Being active helps lower your risk of certain cancers and chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease. In older adults, being active helps improve:

1. Strength
2. Balance
3. Coordination

Additionally, losing a bit more weight could help erection quality. 

Read more: A Comprehensive Guide To Effective Delayed Ejaculation Treatment

3- Improved Sleep

Like stress, sleep affects your mood and physical health. If you struggle with poor sleep hygiene, try switching things around. Avoid using your phone or screen time late at night, and keep the temperature cooler. 

4- Reduced Stress

Anxiety or added stress are some of the leading causes of difficulties with erections. Addressing underlying psychological causes with a skilled therapist might permanently solve your problems! Since erection quality can be multi-causal and hint at other medical issues, it is best to speak with a qualified provider. 

Read more: When Desire Falters: A Closer Look At ED & Relationship Attraction

5- Psychotherapy or Counselling

Medical experts recommend performing a psychological assessment on patients who complain of difficulties getting an erection. Many times, root causes tie back to other life stressors and factors. After initial assessments, lab work may be needed, and the recommended approach is medication.

6- Reducing Alcohol and Tobacco Intake

Alcohol and tobacco intake can make matters worse for your erection problems. Too much alcohol can lead to difficulties getting an erection, interfering with medications. If you only have a drink or two every now and again, it shouldn't be a problem. 

Read more: Can Sexual Inactivity Lead To Erectile Dysfunction?

7- Adding Supplements

If you want to hold off on medication, for now, studies are fairly limited on supplement usage. 

A current study looked at several popular supplements for sexual dysfunction. Their conclusion was more studies and investigations are needed for dosage and duration. Here are some of the beneficial supplements the researchers found:

1. Panax ginseng
2. Pycnogenol
3. Tribulus Terrestris

They also recommended that supplements should not be used independently. Always combine them with healthy lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. 

Read more: Understanding & Conquering ED: From Science To Solutions

Permanent Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Have you wondered how to cure erectile dysfunction naturally and permanently? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

Sexual dysfunction takes many forms, including premature ejaculation or low sperm count. One of those is an inability to achieve or maintain an erection for penetrative sex. 

If switching things up in your day-to-day life doesn't help, you may need something you can take daily or as needed for an extra boost. 

When Natural ED Solutions Don't Work

What do you do when natural solutions don't work? If you have tried implementing healthy lifestyle changes, don't stop now! 

Luckily, there are other treatments designed for men who have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. Some of these have controversial findings, like penile implants or pumps. Surgeries can increase your likelihood of infection and other complications. 

Another downside is these treatments are costly! Front-line treatments typically include medication. These medications fall under the umbrella term: PDE5 inhibitors. 

Read more: Understanding & Conquering ED: From Science To Solutions

PDE5 inhibitors increase the availability of cGMP, resulting in smooth muscle cell relaxation and improved blood vessel dilation. This mechanism of action primarily occurs in the corpus cavernosum and penile arteries, helping improve the chances of getting or maintaining an erection. 

These medications have been on the market for years with excellent success. You should always follow your physician's guidelines and never increase dosages or add other medications and supplements without first talking to a medical provider. 

Read more: Prolonged Erections: Causes, Risks, And Remedies For Men

Erectile Dysfunction Natural Treatment FAQs

Many questions are circulating the internet on natural ED treatments. Many of these questions compare natural remedies to medications and which is superior. At UPGUYS, we have compiled the top five most FAQs regarding these two treatments. 

1- Are Permanent ED Treatments Safe?

Natural treatments will vary on safety. Supplements are not regulated like prescription medication. This makes it challenging to determine whether every treatment is safe.

However, cutting back on alcohol and tobacco or changing lifestyle habits are usually safe and effective. Implementing healthy eating and regular exercise are two options that are cost-friendly, safe, and effective for more than sexual intimacy. 

PDE5 inhibitor medications have undergone extensive testing by regulatory agencies. After a drug has completed clinical trials, it is submitted for federal review in Canada. Clinical trials alone can take years. 

Canada's federal review process takes between one to two years. All these steps ensure a drug is safe for human consumption, as listed.  

2- Are Natural Erectile Dysfunction Solutions Better Than Medication?

Some causes are harder to solve with medication than others. For example, if you have gone through a recent job loss, you may have too many worries on your mind to focus on sexual intimacy with your partner. 

Therapy or finding a secure job could easily help solve this problem. If you struggle with obesity, exercising more and incorporating healthy foods could improve your erection quality. Studies found that healthy dietary changes resulted in fewer erection problems. 

Read more: The Worst Foods For Erectile Dysfunction

Unfortunately, natural solutions might not help with blood vessel dilation - a crucial component of maintaining an erection. Talk to a qualified doctor first about lifestyle habits you can change. 

If these solutions don't pan out, medications will have good success. Studies show that approximately 60% of men have success with PDE5 inhibitors.

Patients with diabetes reported positive results at nearly the same number. Only 14% of patients on placebos resulted in similar outcomes. 

3- Can Erectile Dysfunction Come Back?

Yes, difficulties maintaining or getting an erection can return. There are several causes of difficulties with an erection, such as:

1. Psychological
2. Physical
3. Emotional

In most cases, emotional and psychological problems resolve once the stressor subsides. Physical causes result in impaired blood circulation and include diagnoses like:

1. Heart disease
2. High blood pressure
3. High cholesterol
4. Diabetes
5. Obesity 
6. And more

Younger patients are more likely to have psychological issues associated with erections. Older men have greater risks for some chronic illnesses listed above, putting men at risk for reoccurrence. 

4- How Can You Afford Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Options?

If shopping for prescription ED medications, you will first need a physician's script.

Once you have a script, you can select the medication and dosage. Generic medications can cost 70% less than brand-name drugs and contain the same active ingredient. Natural ED treatments will vary in cost.

Initially, you may save money on over-the-counter supplements. These have many hidden dangers (more on that below). Additionally, you may pay more down the road versus addressing underlying medical causes. 

5- Can You Buy ED Treatments Over the Counter?

Natural ED treatments are cost-friendly. However, weight loss programs, dieting, and managing other comorbidities are best monitored by a physician. While you can purchase natural supplements over the counter, you should exercise extreme caution. 

Over-the-counter sexual enhancement drugs have hidden active ingredients that can cause various unwanted side effects. Some ingredients have been removed by federal agencies because of their risk factors. 

Other over-the-counter remedies incorporate PDE5 inhibitor ingredients. Without physician monitoring, you could unknowingly create more health risks such as priapism. 

Priapism is a painful and long-lasting complication. It is a medical emergency and, left without treatment, can cause permanent erectile dysfunction. The use of PDE5 inhibitors encompasses nearly 25% of priapism cases. 

Solving Your Sexual Intimacy Problems

Have you struggled with maintaining an erection for penetrative sex?

Many men turn to natural ED treatments. If you haven't kept up with physical activity and have started adding a few pounds, these methods can help! Not only could it benefit you in the bedroom, but it will boost your overall health and wellness. 

Yet, supplements promoting a solution for all erectile dysfunction causes should make you pause and reconsider. Instead, schedule an appointment with a physician and talk about safe and effective options for you. 

Read more: Gabapentin & Erectile Dysfunction: Unraveling The Connection