Do you want to enjoy many years of pleasurable and satisfying sex? Penis health is a key aspect of any man’s overall health and wellbeing. It has to be a priority so that it can function well at all times and avoid infections and diseases that can lower not only the quality of your sex life but also other aspects of your life.
When talking about penis health, it refers not only to the ability to achieve erections and sustain erections, but also semen volume, ejaculation and orgasms, and reproduction. If you have any underlying health condition that may be making any of those things difficult, you have to go see a doctor as soon as possible. Take the signs and symptoms seriously before your condition worsens.
Things that can negatively affect penis health
There are lifestyle habits, environmental elements, health problems, and other factors that can harm and damage your penis. Your penis health can decline if it is exposed to certain things, such as the following:
Having unprotected sex
Failure to practice safe sex, such as not using a condom when having vaginal, oral, or anal sex, increases your risk of Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections.
Heart disease
If your heart is unable to pump enough blood for the different parts of your body, your penis may not receive sufficient blood to make erections possible. As a result, you may experience difficulties getting and maintaining erections.
Diabetes
Having blood sugar levels that are higher than the ideal values not only raises your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other complications, it can also contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Certain medical procedures
One example of this is prostatectomy — which is a surgical treatment method where the prostate gland and surrounding tissues are removed to get rid of prostate cancer. Some negative side effects that come with it are trouble urinating or achieving quality erections.
Hormonal imbalances
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone that plays a crucial role in several important bodily processes, including muscle and bone development, production of sperm, body fat distribution, development of the male genitalia, regulation of libido or sex drive, and erection quality.
Neurological problems
Stroke, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and other neurological conditions can seriously harm and damage the nerves that allow communication between your penis and your brain, causing erectile issues. Suffering injuries in the spinal cord can negatively impact your sexual health too.
Mental health issues
If you have depression, anxiety, or some other mental health problem, you may have reduced libido or sex drive, making getting and maintaining erections for pleasurable sex difficult to happen.
Old age
Aging is a natural phenomenon that comes with plenty of health issues, including increased risk of heart disease, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone levels and libido, and others.
Bad habits
Drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and drug abuse are examples of bad habits that can make you prone to penis issues. They can introduce harmful and dangerous substances into your body, causing erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm count, low testosterone levels, and other complications.
Common penis problems that men should know
Around the world, there are millions of men that live with penis health problems that have made their sex lives unhappy and unsatisfying. The following are examples that you and other men have to watch out for:
Reduced libido or sex drive
Losing interest in sex can be caused by a variety of factors. In many cases, it is because of having low testosterone levels. If your body is not able to produce sufficient testosterone, it not only can negatively affect your libido, but also your sperm count and quality, and other vital sexual and reproductive functions.
Erectile dysfunction
If you are having trouble getting an erection or sustaining an erection that is firm and long-lasting for pleasurable sex, you may have a condition called erectile dysfunction. It is caused by different factors, such as heart disease, diabetes, poor mental health, and stress, and can severely hurt your self-esteem, intimate relationships, sex life, and others.
Sexually transmitted infections
Caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms, sexually transmitted infections are usually spread through unprotected sexual intercourse. Some examples of common sexually transmitted infections are Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV.
Tips to improve your penis health
For optimal penis health, you should be ready to commit to change your lifestyle. You have to start making smart and healthy decisions when it comes to the foods that you eat, the activities you partake in, and others.
Observe good personal hygiene
You have to wash your genitalia every day to keep it clean and fresh. Use gentle soap and water to avoid the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other diseases. Do not go days without bathing or showering as sweat, dirt, and other impurities can accumulate and cause infections. Remember to change into clean underwear and clothes regularly too.
Practice safe sex
Using condoms every time you have sex can hugely lower your risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. You have to use them when having vaginal, oral, or anal sex, as these harmful bacteria and viruses are usually passed on during the exchange of bodily fluids, and skin or membrane contact.
Exercise on a regular basis
There are many health benefits to regular exercise. It can strengthen the different muscle groups in your body, boost your stamina and endurance, improve your mood and brain function, and enhance your immune system. It can also promote testosterone production, sex drive, sperm production, and other sexual and reproductive functions.
Eat nutritious foods
Your diet also has a role in your penis health. You have to eat lots of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals so that your sexual functions and other bodily functions can occur without any problems. Examples of nutrient-dense foods that are good for the penis are spinach, which is rich in folic acid and can lower the risk of erectile dysfunction; avocados, which are an excellent source of potassium and healthy fats, and can enhance sex drive; and tomatoes, which contain lycopene and can help protect against prostate cancer and infertility.
