Dr. Geo Espinosa, ND, LAc, IFMCP, CNS, clinical assistant professor of integrative and functional urology at New York University and author of Thrive—Don’t Survive: Dr. Geo’s Guide to Living Your Best Life Before & After Prostate Cancer, discusses treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). A class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors—including Viagra, Cialis and Levitra—affect blood flow and can result in erections. While these drugs offer psychological benefits, they don’t treat the real causes of ED, which include underlying health conditions, poor eating habits and unhealthy lifestyles. In addition, PDE5 inhibitors have a host of side effects including facial flushing, blurred vision, hearing loss, lower back pain and delayed ejaculation. In place of these drugs, Dr. Geo recommends supplements, including L-arginine and L-citrulline, for ED. He also recommends adaptogens, or herbs that help the body adapt to stress. These include rhodiola, ashwagandha, ginseng and eEpimedium (also known as Horny Goat Weed, a natural PDE5 inhibitor).

For more valuable information from Dr. Geo, check out his newest book Bottom Line’s 1,000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrative Medicine for the Most Common Illnesses 

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