Erectile Dysfunction During the Holidays

Every year around this time, doctors see patients feeling the effects of holiday binging. It’s easy to fall into traps: Splurging on one more cookie or one more cup of eggnog might seem trivial, but those little decisions leave us feeling sluggish and tired.

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Though the holidays often seem romantic, all of this eating and drinking combined with short days and low temperatures can turn down the heat in the bedroom for a lot of men.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is no joke. Up to 39 percent of men in their 40s have experienced trouble getting or maintaining an erection, and almost all men over 70 are affected. The holiday season can be especially hard (or not – pun intended). Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make sure it’s truly the happiest time of year.

Lay Off The Booze

Alcohol may seem like your best friend at the office Christmas bash or the New Years’ party, but it won’t do you any favors in the bedroom and you’ll probably regret it the next morning. If you would rather spend the morning tending to your partner than your hangover, it’s best to keep your alcohol consumption to a minimum. The ball may be dropping in Times Square, but there’s no reason for others things not to stay up.

Eat The Right Foods

If you made it through Thanksgiving, you probably still remember how uncomfortable – and unsexy – it feels to be stuffed as a turkey. The foods that you eat affect the quality of your erection. Stick to heart-healthy foods such as fish, berries and veggies and steer clear of fatty and fried dishes.

But you don’t have to completely deprive yourself – dark chocolate, coffee and garlic can increase blood flow and beef and egg yolks can boost your testosterone levels.

Don’t Skip The Gym

The holidays are often a stressful time of the year and stress can make your blood vessels contract, leading to difficulty sustaining an erection. Do what you can to reduce your levels of tension: Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise. Make it a New Year’s resolution to go to the gym consistently– and start two weeks early. Your sex life will thank you.

If you are having problems with ED, the best thing you can do is consult a doctor. With any luck, you’ll be able to keep your sleigh flying throughout the night.