Sexual dysfunction in humans generally affects life qualify, relationships and self-esteem.
One of men’s most important body parts is the male genitalia for lovemaking, which enables reproduction and on the other hand, gives pleasure to their female partners. Women attain the highest form of pleasure when they reach orgasm during sex. Over the years, several unions have been threatened over erectile dysfunction.
Recent research by an endocrinologist from Brooklyn, New York, United States, Dr. Florence Comite, stated that consuming excess red meat or ice cream damages some blood vessels, thus making it hard to maintain an erection or reaching orgasm.
In the research, it was noted that lots of sugar, cholesterol and iron in the bloodstream have the ability to narrow the vessels and prevent blood from reaching the phallus and vagina. Comite noted that the consistency, content, and flow of someone’s blood play an important role in their sex life.
For red meat, the excess iron component in it leads to erectile dysfunction while high sugar levels destroy human nerves and blood vessels, making the blood thicker and not allowing it to reach the manhood to have an erection. A person suffering from hypercholesterolemia would also have their blood flow restricted thus hindering orgasm or an erection.
The research also stated that both genders can have a loss of libido due to consumption of excess red meat and ice cream. In fact, in men, it was indicated that it could also make erection inconsistent.
However, the research added that the blood-related bedroom problems were reversible through diet change.
Eating foods high in zinc, such as kidney beans, flavonoid-rich berries and oily fish rich in vitamin B6 can help clear out the arteries and optimise blood flow.
The Massachusetts male aging study stated that around 52 per cent of men experience some form of erectile dysfunction, noting that total ED increases from about five to 15 per cent between ages 40 and 70. A review of the global prevalence of erectile dysfunction in 2019 by BJU International found that the global prevalence of ED ranges between three per cent and 76.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, research by the National Library of Medicine, United States, stated that the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction increased with age, from 22 per cent in women aged less than 20 years to 75.7 per cent in women aged between 40 and 50 years. FSD was detected as a desire problem in 45.3 per cent of women, an arousal problem in 37.5 per cent, a lubrication problem in 41.2 per cent, an orgasm problem in 42.0 per cent, a satisfaction problem in 44.5 per cent and a pain problem in 42.5 per cent.
A population-based study at Ogbomoso, Oyo State of men between ages 30 and 80 years on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and possible risk factors among men in the South-West by the National Library of Medicine, United States, showed that the prevalence was high among male adults.
The research stated, “The general prevalence of ED in this study was 58.9 per cent. Sixty-seven (47.2 per cent), 16 (11.3 per cent) and 59(41.5 per cent) respondents had mild, moderate and severe ED respectively. Age, hypertension, use of anti-hypertensive drugs, diabetes mellitus and heart disease all had significant unadjusted associations with ED, but their adjusted associations were not statistically significant. Diabetes mellitus maintained a positive statistically significant relationship with ED after adjustment for potential confounders.”
The research, however, stated that physicians need to pay more attention to the sexual history of their patients in order to diagnose and manage ED more frequently.
Another population-based study of a university community at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, stated that female sexual dysfunction was common in the university environment, with the highest prevalence occurring in the 41 to 50 years age group.
There are other causes of erectile dysfunction in both genders which may not be given much importance but potentially dangerous.
A medical doctor at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr Owodunni Ismail, stated that the psychology of erection in men had to do with blood being pooled into the penis’s blood vessels.
He said, “It is important that the penile blood vessels are in good condition to ensure that a man has a normal erection. Without being in a good condition, there might be issues. This is why multisystemic diseases such diabetes and hypertension that affects the blood vessels are associated with erectile dysfunction”
Ismail noted that it was important that both genders take cognizance of what they consume as food before it affects their sexual lives.
He said, “People should stop or reduce the intake of red meat and eat white meat which is found in poultry produce instead. Consume vegetables and eat enough fruits. They should also consume legumes, all types of nuts, fish and plant oils.”
He noted that adding regular exercise to one’s routine and a general avoidance of a sedentary lifestyle could help both genders get back their sexual fitness.
On his part, a Consultant Urologist at the Ogah Hospital and Urology Centre, Fugar, Edo State, Dr Gabriel Ogah, stated that women should control their blood pressure, diet and their weight if they desired to attain a high level of erectile function.
He said, “Both genders should take more of a vegetable diet and do more of exercises, control weight and diabetes if they have. Hypertension should also be controlled. Once they do a lot of exercises, control their weight, and eat more vegetables while avoiding starchy foods, they are likely to have a better erectile function.
“Taking a lot of red meat is dangerous for anyone wanting to have a healthy erectile function. It is to be mediated in order to be healthy in that part.”
Ogah noted that it was not only red meat and ice cream that caused such a development in both genders, stating that there were other causes.
He noted, “When women are menopausal, when people have hormonal imbalance such as thyroid imbalance abnormality, men who have thyroid diseases and many other related diseases can have erectile dysfunction. Many of these people need to immediately see the doctor and ensure that these diseases are corrected in their bodies.”
On high cholesterol being another factor that can affect blood vessels, Ogah added that it was obvious, noting that is why he advised people to control their weight, eat a lot of vegetables, and do exercises to improve their erectile function.”
He stated, “It is well known that reducing one’s blood pressure by five per cent alone can improve one’s erectile function, Research has proven that many years ago. Attention should be given to it and people will get better.”
A nutritionist, Dr James Oloyede, noted that only a healthy diet could be recommended to combat issues around erectile dysfunction for humans.
He stated, “We are fully aware that there are some nutrients that are good for fertility and sexual issues, they can possibly help. But you see, those who are promoting one type of food or the other to aid erection, it is not about nutrition but medicine. There are some fruits and certain leaves that are medicinal that can aid this defect but it is not in the purview of a nutritionist.”
Oloyede advised taking food rich in fruits and vegetables, noting that the things many persons were promoting as capable of aiding erection were present in fruits and vegetables.
He added, “When people take a healthy diet, they will function normally including the sexual organs of such individuals. It is when people begin to eat an unhealthy diet that problems begin to come in and affect the reproductive system. We always promote a healthy diet and that will be the best approach.”
