Causes of low testosterone

•    Obesity: Recent studies have shown that obese men are more likely to have low testosterone than non-obese men.

•    Testicle injury:  Trauma or injury to testicle may result in low testosterone level. Testicles produce testosterone. Injury to tissues of testicles can impair production of testosterone.

•    Diseases: Infectious diseases like mumps infection during puberty can affect testicles causing inflammation. Other infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB) , HIV may also affect production of testosterone. Certain inflammatory diseases like like arthritis and autoimmune diseases can cause low testosterone.

•    Increased iron in blood (hemochromatosis):  Increased iron in blood may damage testes and pituitary gland.

•    Aging: For most men, the level of testosterone start declining after the age of 30. It continue to decrease about 1% each year. By age 70, testosterone levels can decline by about 28%.

•    Chemo and Radiation therapy: Chemicals and Rays used in these therapies can damage testicular cells and diminish testosterone production. Sometimes these cells recover to function normally. Sometimes the damage may be permanent.

•    Performance boosting drugs: Performance boosting drugs like anabolic steroids, beta-2 agonists, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and various human hormones, etc can lower testosterone level.

•    Smoking:  Cigarette smoking considerably alters concentrations of the sex hormone testosterone, in men. Male cigarette smokers have low testosterone levels than male nonsmokers. This leads to lower sex drive and lower sperm counts than those with normal or high concentrations of  testosterone hormone

•    Alcohol: Studies have shown that alcohol lowers testosterone levels about 40%. Chronic alcohol abuse leads to lowered sperm counts, sperm motility and free testosterone. 

•    Marijuana:  Marijuana smoking leads to low testosterone level, erectile dysfunction and male infertility.

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Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop erectile dysfunction with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing erectile dysfunction. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors include:
Age

The incidence of erectile dysfunction rises with age, with about 5% at age 40, to 15%-25% at age 65 and older.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction, including:

    Diabetes
    Cardiovascular disease
    Arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries)
    Chronic kidney disease
    Cirrhosis
    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    Peyronie's disease (bending of the penis caused by scar tissue)
    Endocrine disorders (hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism , hypothyroidism , hyperprolatinemia, Cushing syndrome )
    Neurological disorders (such as multiple sclerosis , peripheral neuropathy , stroke )
    Myotonic dystrophy
    Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    Psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety , depression , schizophrenia )
    Psychological problems (stress, personal relationships, new partners)

Traumatic Conditions

Trauma, whether through an accident or surgery, can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction. Trauma includes:

    Vascular surgery
    Urologic surgery, such as prostate surgery
    Pelvic surgeries (particularly for prostate cancer)
    Spinal cord injury

Behaviors

Certain behaviors can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction, including:

    Alcohol use
    Illegal drug use (eg, heroin, marijuana)
    Anabolic steroid use
    Heavy smoking

Medications

Certain medications can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction, including:

    Antihypertensives
    Antihistamines
    Antidepressants
    Tranquilizers
    Antipsychotics
    Histamine blockers
    Nicotine

If you suspect a medication may be affecting your sexual functioning, talk with your doctor. Do not stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor first.

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Risk Factors Leading to Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a result of several bad habits and risk factors. Erections become protracted, weak and may take require greater tactility to occur with age. The dysfunction is more pronounced in old men who suffer ill health and consume certain drugs that reduce erections.

Chronic long term ailments of the lungs, kidneys, liver, nerves, arteries, veins and heart can cause erectile malfunction. Endocrine disorders like diabetes also produce similar effects. Erections also fail to occur when atherosclerosis hampers adequate blood flow to the penis. Low testosterone levels or male hypogonadism and obesity also cause erectile dysfunction.

Metabolic syndrome which is a state that features abdomen fat, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels also cause erection failure.

Medicines like antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers and drugs that can cure high blood pressure, prostate cancer and pain hinder neurotic impulses and blood circulation to the penis causing erection failure.

When you hurt your spine or pelvis and damage nerves that regulate erections you may suffer from erection malfunction. Some surgeries like those used to cure rectal, bladder or prostate cancer may also lead to erectile dysfunction.

Stress, mental worry and mental dejection are psychosomatic reasons for erection failure.

Riding of a bike over a long period of time causes pro-tem penile freeze and erectile dysfunction due to the pressure of the seat. This constricts nerves and reduces blood flow to the penis, weakening erections.

Bad habits like smoking limits blood circulation in the veins and arteries causing erectile failure. Alcohol and marijuana abuse leads to reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/ED-riskfactors.html

How Smoking Increases Risk of ED

Many of us know that inhaling tobacco smoke can do many negative things for our health. But something that we may not realize is that it can be keeping us from being able to get an erection. That's right, erectile dysfunction is accelerated by the use of tobacco products, specifically smoking. Lets take a look at some of the ways that smoking can heighten the risk of having problems with erectile dysfunction.

One of the first things that can happen when you start smoking cigarettes is a decrease in lung capacity, which makes your body work harder to be able to breathe. Smoking can tear away at the alveoli in your lungs. These are air sacs that help transport oxygen to your blood. If these alveoli are destroyed, then less oxygen gets transported to your blood. Your blood flow is vitally important to sexually health. If you can't get good circulation, then your erections will suffer also.

The reason that your circulation will affect your erections relates to the anatomy of arousal and erectile ability. Your penis needs blood to become hard so if you can't get good circulation, then you won't be able to get an erection. Therefore, tobacco products, particular cigarettes and other smoke-able forms of tobacco can greatly increase your risk of erectile dysfunction.

Another thing that smoking does to raise the chances of erectile problems is to make your more tired. Smoking drains your energy because of the extra work that your lungs have to do because of the damage done from inhaling smoke. Cigarettes and tobacco can cause emphysema, causing the lungs to hold in carbon dioxide. This is what makes it difficult for smokers to catch their breath. If your lung capacity is down, you will not be able to enjoy a sex life that is free from problems.

Having an erection requires blood. In the circulatory system of a smoker, blockages in arteries keep blood from flowing freely. This makes it extremely difficult for the body to establish a decent erection. Oxygen and blood go hand in hand and there must be one of each to establish a good and healthy circulatory system. Smoking hurts both of these functions in the body making it difficult to enjoy a healthy sex life.

With all of the negative effects of smoking tobacco products, erectile dysfunction is one that should be noted when you are considering your personal health. Remember that you are not only damaging your lungs, but your blood's oxygenation and therefore your sexuality and all of your other organs.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/smoking_ED.html

Temporary Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction was considered for pretty long time a condition that affect men in their mature age, generally speaking the ones that are older. However, this is not exactly like this. Impotence problem are able to happen even when a man is in college.

However, things are not that bad and most of such cases are temporary and there is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It is always hard for men, however. It hurts their self-confidence and self-assurance and puts a question mark on their whole concept of masculinity. Good news is that erectile dysfunction is not as scary as it may seem and with proper knowledge and attendance it is easily treated.

Temporary erectile dysfunction is evoked generally either by physical or psychological factors. The latter are even more frequent than the former ones. They include depression, stress and anxiety factors and interfere with having erections pretty much and even in young men. What concerns physical reasons, they can be drugs, alcohol and smoking. These three factors are responsible for the physical inability to maintain erection for the most part. Medications are also capable to evoke erection problems. A lot of drugs have got side-effect list and it is recommended to be aware of it beforehand.

Luckily, temporary erectile dysfunction is pretty easy to cure. One of the first steps to take is to get the understanding of the reasons and eliminating any factors that are able in any way to evoke problems with erection. This may mean having enough sleep and getting sufficient rest as well as avoiding any stressful situations or giving up bad habits. The latter step works in the majority of cases with 100% effect.

It is also a very common wrong belief that a man should be able and ready to perform any time, all the time, but this is really impossible. When you need good healthy sleep and your body gives you certain signs where is no surprise that you may have troubles achieving erection - your body knows better what it needs.

Once again, it is very important to get rid of all the stressful factors in life, if any problems with erection occur. Otherwise, troubles will be there no matter how hard you try. It is recommended to learn to relax and stay positive. A lot of specialists advise yoga, massage as well as any physical activity as stress-removing factors. These activities are able to distract and fill with energy and positivity and therefore improve general health as well as erection.

Read complete article by Nataly Meyers @ http://www.ayurhelp-shop.com/articles/ED_temporary.htm

Low sperm count Causes

The main cause of male infertility is low sperm count. Many biological and environmental factors can cause low sperm count in men. The causes of male infertility have been explained in texts of ayurveda. Few of these factors are discussed below.

Age: Studies have shown that the rate of fertility decreases as age of men increases. Low testosterone level and degeneration of tissues may cause lowered fertility in aged persons. Ayurveda acharyas recommend “Vajikarana therapy” to elderly men. This therapy keeps men as strong as “Vaji” ( Horse) by increasing their sexual energy and stamina.

Stress: Emotional Stress produces stress hormones which interfere in production of sperms. This results in low sperm count. Stress reducing techniques like Yoga, Meditation, deep breathing etc help to reduce stress. Hence ayurveda acharyas have included herbs like Ashwagandha in Vajikarana category.

Lubricants: Lubricants used in condoms or Vaseline can affect sperm count.

Testicular Exposure to Overheating.: Over heating of testicles due to fever, saunas, hot water bath tubs etc reduce sperm count. Persons who work with their lap tops keeping them on their thighs may encounter low level of sperms. Men who are exposed to very high temperatures at working place may also face this condition. Ayurveda acharyas recommend washing of testicles with cold water twice daily.

Cocaine or marijuana: Cocaine or marijuana reduces sperm count by 50%. They reduce the swimming ability of sperms. According to principles of ayurveda these substances are “tamoguna pradhana” . Tamoguna induces lethargy and sleep. Hence sperms lose their ability to swim when these substances are consumed.

Smoking. Studies have shown that smoking reduces sperm count and sperm motility. It also reduces life span of sperm. Apart from this it causes erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation which are also causes of primary infertility.

Nutrient deficiencies: Nutrients like as vitamin C, selenium, zinc, and folate help in production of healthy sperms and they also help to increase their count. Deficiency of these nutrients may lead to low sperm count.

Obesity: Few studies have shown a relationship between obesity and low sperm count. According to ayurveda caharyas heating of testicles due to overlapping belly may lead to low sperm count.

Trauma to testicles: Any trauma to testicles may interfere with production of sperms. Usually Bicycling, raiding motor bike, etc lead to lowering of sperm count.

Apart from these genetic factors, toxins, chemicals, heavy metals and infections may also hinder production of sperms which results in low sperm count. Exposure to X-ray and other radiations may also act as causative factors for lowering sperm count.

Varicocele : Varicoceles are found in 15% to 20% of all men and in 25% to 40% of infertile men. It is not clear how they affect fertility, or even if they do at all.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.Krishna.R.S is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda Health Care for Mencontact him drkrishnars@gmail.com .Read more at Low sperm count causes

The Effects of Smoking Cigarettes on Male Fertility

If you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant and you think that you may be causing the issue, the first thing you should consider, if you are a smoker, is how smoking cigarettes can affect not only your overall well being, but also your fertility health.

1. Smoking can cause damage to a man's sperm. Researchers believe this is caused by the tobacco's damage on the seminal plasma, which is a liquid rich in nutrients that is found in a male's semen. Not only does smoking cigarettes do damage to the smoker's fertility, but it will also increase the chance that a male conceived by a smoker will have a decreased fertility level. Additionally, it is believed that a smoker that conceives may pass on certain genetic mutations to the baby. This sperm damage continues to increase the longer you continue to smoke.

2. Smoking cigarettes has been shown to decrease sperm count. One of the main factors that results in a low sperm count is the fact that the smoker's body cannot retain the needed levels of the nutrients zinc, vitamin E, and B12, which are all essential to a healthy reproductive system. It is a fact that smoking will inhibit the body's ability to absorb these essential vitamins and minerals which could result in hormonal imbalance issues. Men who smoke could have up to a 15% lower sperm count than that of men who don't smoke. Sperm count has actually been greatly reduced all over the globe as a result of smoking.

3. A sperm's motility is also affected by smoking. The motility of a sperm is the ability of the sperm to swim fast and in the right direction in order to find and fertilize the egg. The sperm of men who smoke will have poor motility, meaning they will be less likely to get to or even find the egg to fertilize.

4. Smoking cigarettes has also been shown to affect a man's ability to maintain his erection. An erection occurs when the blood flows to the penis and creates muscle pressure that causes it to expand. Anything that interferes with this blood flow, which includes smoking, can potentially cause impotence. Most people have heard that smoking can cause a break down in the small blood vessels that deliver blood to the penis. If the blood is not able to flow to the penis freely, than an erection is harder to achieve, as well as, maintain. Therefore, it is essential that these small blood vessels are kept healthy because if the man is unable to achieve an erection than conception cannot take place.

Read complete article by Katy anderson @ http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/smoking.html

Tips to keep lungs healthy

1. Quit smoking and avoid persons who smoke.
2. Consume adequate nutritious food. This boosts the body immunity and lungs develop resistance to diseases
3. Exercise regularly for 45 minutes. This increases capacity of lungs.
4. Practice pranayam daily for 20 minutes.
5. Avoid weight gain and check obesity.
6. Keep your home free of dust.
7. Take deep breaths when you are sitting in office, bus or train. Deep breathing exercises detoxify your lungs.
8. Immunize your kids at right time.
9. Drink plenty of water.
10. Add honey to your diet. This keeps lungs free of infections.

Lung Exercise - Increase Your Respiratory Health

If you are looking for a great way to keep your lungs clean, you should try a lung exercise. This is will aid you in breathing better and just feeling better in general. When you can breathe easily you can better do the things you enjoy in life, and you'll be more confident when doing them.

One great exercise for lung, that you may want to consider include are breathing exercises. When you practice your breathing by focusing on it, you are much more likely to enjoy healthier and cleaner lungs as a result of your lung exercise.

The way to lung fitness involves exercising them, and there are many great ways for you to do this through cardiovascular exercise. By working out and strengthen your body you are also doing exercises for your lungs.

Are you aware that exercises increase lung function? If you jog, or walk briskly this is considered a lung exercise and can dramatically increase the functions of your lungs by allowing them to be stronger and cleaner than they may have ever been otherwise.

By doing a lung exercise every day or at least three times a week, you can drastically improve the quality of you life as well as your health. Being able to breathe better is a one of the best reasons to do so, and can really allow you to enjoy your life better too.

If you intend to live a long, healthy life, you'll need to have clean and healthy lungs to do so. There is no better way that can allow you the most stamina or endurance other than this, so you can see the importance of maintaining a lung exercise on a regular basis.

Now, that you have some important information on how to help your lungs stay healthy and strong through lung exercise, you may want to also consider another way to keep you body strong and you lungs clean. If you smoke, you must quit smoking to keep your lungs as strong as they can be. It's imperative to your health.

When you smoke, you're inviting thousands of cancerous toxins into your body and this can destroy all the good you may have done with your lung exercise. It's not easy to quit smoking but it's imperative to have good health and clean lungs.

By utilizing a lung exercise, coupled with a quit smoking program, you can the best lungs that you possibly can. This will allow you to have a high quality and hopefully a very long life as well.

Read complete article by Edgar Swanson at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/lungs.html

What You Eat - Curing Impotence Naturally Through Diet

It is widely understood that psychological, physical and emotional factors are the principal contributing elements of severe impotence. Impotence is categorized as a man's inability to obtain or indeed maintain an erection. This condition is frequently associated with side-effects against a wide variety of physical disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, nervous system problems, urinary tract and genital issues. Male impotence can also be attributed to excess stress levels anxiety, guilt, embarrassment or depression. The condition is worsened through alcohol consumption or by excessive amounts of caffeine and too much smoking.

Any man who suffers from impotence will benefit from cutting down on their consumption of caffeine and smoking less. Caffeine and nicotine both help to constrict the blood vessels thereby reducing blood flow. Although consuming alcohol helps to release you of your inhibitions it will not help reduce instances of impotence.

Studies have suggested that men with high blood cholesterol levels run a far more significant risk of developing impotency. Cholesterol, especially high levels, have been shown to partially block the arteries resulting in the blood flow to the penis to be reduced. To prevent yourself running the risk of high cholesterol levels and therefore a narrowing of the penile artery, your diet should include good helpings of fruit and vegetables and whole grains and contain only a small amount of lean meat. You should also ensure that you consume foods which are low in saturated fats.

Zinc rich foodstuffs, good examples are oysters, can act as powerful aphrodisiacs although evidence to suggest this is the case is very limited. It has however been shown that a diet lacking in zinc can lead to impotence in men.

Some research papers have suggested that by taking zinc supplements this can have the effect of improving male potency by raising the levels of the male sex hormone testosterone to normal amounts.

If you are therefore suffering from impotency you will be wise to include good amounts of zinc in your diet through eating good amounts of seafood, lentils, soya beans, lean meat and wheat germ. You may also find taking zinc supplements to be beneficial at the onset of any problems.

Read complete article by Jamie Noone at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/Impotence.html

Herbal Male Enhancement - Male Enhancement Without the Side Effects

Herbal male enhancement helps a man to achieve greater enjoyment of his sexual life. It helps to maintain blood flow, creating a firmer, fuller-feeling erection, leading to a heightened enjoyment of the sexual experience.

Recent studies have shown that men feel a decrease in sexual desire with increasing age. This is attributed to various reasons: professional stress and strain, the pressure of family responsibilities, lack of exercise, smoking and poor nutrition.

To address this problem there are now several natural, herbal male enhancement products available in the market, which aim to increase sexual desire in men. These herbal male enhancement products are available as pills, creams, perfume and cologne. All these are made from natural ingredients which help in improving erection by increasing size and volume, and enhancing sexual stamina.

Male enhancement herbs also help to restore the body to a healthy functionality, and have a series of health benefits. Compared to prescription drugs, herbal male enhancement products have no side effects. This is because most of the ingredients in these herbal male enhancement products are the modified form of what is found in nature. Experiments and studies have established that consumption of these herbal male enhancement products helps a man to reach full arousal by increased blood flow, enabling him to find the maximum pleasure in his love life.
These herbs have been used in very specific combinations for centuries by people all over the world. Not only are they individually harmless, but in combination, they result in a powerful enhancement of male virility and anatomy. Many of these herbs are sourced from China, Japan, Europe and South America, and some of these like Ginko Biloba, Ginseng, Dodder seed (Seman Cuscutae), Epimedium Sagittatum, Tribulus Terestris powder, and Inosine Anhydrous have been used in traditional societies from time immemorial to cure impotence, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, low sperm count and other sexual maladies.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/herbs-ED.html by Simon Kilburn

Do Cigarette Smokers With Erectile Dysfunction Benefit From Stopping? A Prospective Study

UroToday.com - Cigarette smoking has been identified as a strong risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED.) The authors of this study have attempted to identify whether smoking cessation reverses ED in men who previously smoked cigarettes. They studied men with ED who entered a nicotine replacement program for smoking termination. The men studied had no risk factors for ED other than smoking. Degree of ED was categorized by the erectile function domain (EFD) score of the International Index of Erectile Function. Patients completed the IIEF on entry into the nicotine replacement program and one year later after cessation of smoking or after one year of continued smoking. There were 118 men who stopped smoking after the nicotine replacement program and 163 men who continued to smoke.
After one year off cigarettes, ED status improved in 25% of the ex-smokers and none of the men who continued to smoke. ED status worsened in 3.4% of the ex-smokers and 6.7% of those who continued to smoke. The authors conclude that smoking cessation can result in reversal of ED "in a considerable percent of smokers."

Posted by Dr.Krishna.R.S ayurveda health care for men

Article source :http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/55831.php