6 habits a day

For men, genital health is the most important thing to maintain. Not only by practicing safe sex, the health of vital organs is also influenced by our daily habits. Without you knowing it, there are some habits that you might do every day, which in fact can cause erectile dysfunction, aka impotence. Of course you don't want this to happen to you, do you? What are the habits that can be the cause of difficult erections?

ALSO READ: 5 Factors That Cause Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction)

Various habits cause difficult erections

According to Salvatore Giorgianni, PharmD, scientific adviser to the Men's Health Network, men may not be aware of the risks of common daily habits, especially if these little things can be the reason your erection is difficult. Here is a list of habits you need to be aware of:

1. Eat canned food

Natural foods such as nuts or tomatoes that are sold in packaging are not necessarily healthy. These packaged foods may contain bisphenol-A (BPA), which can disrupt the hormonal system in women and inhibit sex hormones in men. In fact, a Chinese study revealed that men who work in factories that use BPA as a food ingredient, have 4 times the risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction compared to those who are not exposed to these chemicals.

BPA is also found in recycled plastics (such as plastic beverage bottles). A tip, you can look for drink bottles that are marked BPA-free or BPA-free, and avoid those marked with a number 7 on the bottom of the bottle. Don't put the plastic container in the microwave, as the heat will further evaporate the BPA material.

ALSO READ: Dangers of Refilling Used Plastic Drinks Bottles

2. Cycling

Cycling is a healthy activity. However, cycling can also cause you to have difficulty getting an erection. Past research found 1,700 men who cycled more than 3 hours a week had a higher risk of developing impotence than those who rarely cycled. In fact, researchers have found that pedaling less often can prevent erectile dysfunction.

Further research from the University of California, San Diego reveals the possibility of bicycle seats being one of the causes of difficult erections. A hard bicycle saddle can put pressure on the perineum (the area between the anus and testicles), thus putting pressure on the arteries and nerves needed for sexual function.

ALSO READ: Is it true that frequent cycling causes impotence?

But that doesn't mean you can't ride a bike. Choose a chair made of leather, which can make you comfortable, with soft pads and not jagged. Cycling is meant here not only by bicycle outdoors. When you ride a stationary bike in the gym, choose a bicycle that is on your back, so that you can ride it lying down. Plus, your weight doesn't put pressure on your bottom.

3. Snoring all night

Snoring aka snoring is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea - sleep disorders involving respiratory problems. Who would have thought that snoring could cause a person to have a hard time getting an erection? Yes, it turns out that a study presented by the American Urological Association's in 2011 found that men with impotence also usually suffer from sleep apnea. One of the most likely reasons is that sleep disturbances are a sign that the body has low oxygen levels. Meanwhile, oxygen in the blood is also needed to maintain and achieve an erection.

In addition, sleep apnea is often associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and other problems. To treat this sleep disorder, sufferers usually wear a mask that is used to supply oxygen and lose weight.

ALSO READ: Why Hypertension Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

4. Eat foods that trigger weight gain

Obesity can put you at risk for having a difficult erection. The condition of being overweight occurs due to insufficient food intake and lack of exercise. Plus when you have to tighten your belt, it can put your penis at risk of having a hard erection. Men who have a waist circumference of 99 cm are very at risk of experiencing impotence. A large waist circumference is a sign of dangerously high levels of visceral fat. Fat is associated with low testosterone and inflammation. Both are problems for your penis.

ALSO READ: Why a distended stomach is more dangerous than ordinary obesity

5. Smoking

Obviously we all know that even cigarette advertisements have warned against the dangers of impotence. Smoking can damage the lining of your blood vessels, which can affect the smooth muscles in the penis and prevent blood from flowing. In fact, men who smoke have a 51% chance of experiencing impotence compared to nonsmokers.

6. Stress due to work

Stress due to work can interfere with the production of the hormone testosterone. When working, it becomes difficult for you to leave the office. This is what causes anxiety throughout the day, so that the hormone testosterone is depleted used to think about work. When it comes to sex, it becomes difficult for the penis to get an erection.