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Erectile dysfunction. In combination, those are two of the ugliest words known to man. But can caffeine help you get it up?

Science hasn't found the definitive answer to this question, but one study concluded that fewer men who consume caffeine have problems performing [1]. The study said:

Caffeine intake reduced the odds of prevalent ED, especially an intake equivalent to approximately 2-3 daily cups of coffee (170-375 mg/day). This reduction was also observed among overweight/obese and hypertensive, but not among diabetic men. Yet, these associations are warranted to be investigated in prospective studies.

The number of subjects in the study was large: 3,724 men older than 20, men who did not have prostate cancer and who had a normal diet. But Healthline says the results of the study are suspect because they were collected through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [2].

The study's authors admitted:

However, our findings differ from two previous studies that showed no association between caffeinated drinks, coffee consumption and ED

It is an important question because so many people take caffeine, about 85 percent of the population. And it is important because ED is so prevalent. The study said:

In the U.S., the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men aged ≥20 years is 18.4% suggesting that more than 18 million are affected. Among older men, these numbers significantly increase affecting their overall quality of life: at age 40, approximately 44% are affected and this number increases nearly to 70% by age of 70. The economic burden of ED is unclear, yet studies have shown that the cost of treatment could reach $15 billion if all men seek treatment.

What causes ED?

First, what is erectile dysfunction? It entails reduced sexual desire and difficulty getting or sustaining an erection.

Mayoclinic.org says [3]:

Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.

Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction. For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.

 Mayo says the causes of ED include, and we quote:

• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Certain prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
• Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
• Sleep disorders
• Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
• Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
• Low testosterone

If you have any of these conditions and are having difficulty performing in bed, treat them aggressively. Some of the conditions cannot be reversed, but some can. You don't need to be overweight, smoke, drink, or do drugs. You can get your cholesterol and blood pressure down and seek treatment for heart disease.

This doctor discusses the NHANES study we mention above.

Regular exercise is key to overcoming erectile dysfunction. Exercise gets the blood flowing, which is exactly what you need: more blood flow to the penis.

There are also psychological causes of ED, including, and we quote from the Mayo Clinic website:

• Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
• Stress
• Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns

Talk to your doctor about ED

It may be embarrassing, but a doctor really can help you with ED. In addition to working on mental and physical problems interfering with your sex life, as you are probably aware, there are three drugs that really and truly do help men perform:

1. Viagra
2. Levitra
3. Cialis

The trick to these pills is that they work only when you are aroused. GoodRx.com says [4]:

Viagra and similar ED drugs like Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) work by relaxing muscles and arteries inside the penis, which helps more blood reach the penis. When aroused—and only when aroused—the combination of relaxation and increased blood flow helps fill the penis with blood. That’s how you’re able to achieve an erection.

Just in case caffeine helps ...

You might try Viter Energy Caffeine Mints [5] or Gum [6]. Not only will they give you a caffeine boost, they will freshen your breath for your partner. Both the mints and gum give you B vitamins, are sugar-free, and are made with wholesome ingredients.

Sources:

[1] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0123547

[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/caffeine-and-erectile-dysfunction#caffeine-and-ed

[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776

[4] https://www.goodrx.com/blog/how-to-take-viagra-for-best-results/

[5] https://www.goviter.com/collections/viter-energy-extra-strength-mints/products/viter-energy-extra-strength-caffeine-mints-2

[6] https://www.goviter.com/collections/viter-energy-gum/products/viter-energy-caffeine-gum