Sexual Dysfunction

IMPOTENCE AND LACK OF SEXUAL DESIRE

Impotence and other sexual dysfunctions have a number of causes.This article discusses important nutritional and biochemical causes and how to correct them using nutritional balancing science.By the use of this method, most cases of impotence, low sexual desire and other sexual dysfunctions have improved in my nutrition practice.

LOW ENERGY AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Especially as we age, the energy level declines.This may manifest itself as fatigue, but in many cases one of the early signs is a reduced sexual desire and/or impotence in men.Sexual function is not an essential function and if biochemical energy production declines, sexual function can cease or diminish.

I have helped numerous men, and women as well, with this situation.Age is a factor, but it can also happen in young people, especially young women.A nutritional balancing program based on a properly interpreted hair mineral analysis identifies the tendency for low energy, usually due to reduced adrenal and/or thyroid hormone activity.At times, other cause for low energy are present, such as a high level of a highly toxic metal such as mercury or cadmium.

The nutritional balancing program can help reverse these imbalances, often within a few months.This is far superior than using stimulants such as ginseng or drug therapy, as our approach also improves general health as well.

ZINC, COPPER AND POTENCY

Sexual potency, particularly in men, has much to do with the mineral zinc and its availability to the body.Low zinc impairs prostate function and this alone can affect sexual desire and sexual potency.Zinc is critical for male sexuality, although it is also needed in women as well.

Most people in our society are deficient in zinc today.The soils are depleted so the food is low in zinc.Zinc is mainly found in red meats, and much of the population has reduced its intake of these foods.Also, stress depletes zinc rapidly, causing hidden deficiencies in many people.Alcohol and smoking cigarettes also tends to lower zinc levels by introducing toxic metals that compete with zinc.

Copper toxicity, for example, is a factor in some cases of sexual dysfunction.Copper has profound effects on the female and male reproductive system.Cadmium, mercury and lead can also lodge in the sexual glands and replace zinc in critical enzyme binding sites, causing sexual difficulties.This occurs more and more as people age in most cases.The result is often sexual dysfunction of varying types such as erectile dysfunction or ED.

HORMONE IMBALANCES AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Sex hormone dysfunctions are another cause of erectile and other sexual disorders in some cases.Testicular activity in men, as well as sex hormone production in women, are closely linked to the function of the adrenal and thyroid glands.The testicles and ovaries in women produce steroid hormones, but so do the adrenals.

Some physicians are quick to recommend the use of supplemental hormones such as testosterone and estrogen for sexual problems.However, we find this entails significant costs and often side effects.Instead, why not attempt to rebuild the body and restore normal hormone production.This is possible in many cases with the use of glandular supplements along with the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and adjunctive therapies.

Once again, these hormone imbalances are due to nutritional depletion and toxicity with metals and chemicals.By correcting the causes, the hormone imbalances can improve and with it, sexual problems often abate.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS AND SEXUAL FUNCTION

Another cause for impotence and possibly low sexual desire in men and women involves arterial spasms and/or hardening of the arteries leading to the genital organs.Excess sympathetic nervous system activity is one cause for arterial narrowing and spasm.This restricts the blood supply to the pelvic organs.

Hardening of the arteries that go to the penis, vagina and uterus is another common cause of age-related sexual dysfunctions.The cause can often be identified and corrected through a nutritional balancing program using a properly performed hair mineral analysis.Causes include zinc deficiency, copper excess, elevated levels of cadmium, mercuryor the presence of other toxic metals.The toxic metals replace the vital minerals in the arteries, leading to inflammation, plaque formation to prevent aneurisms and other arterial problems.

Another pattern seen on hair mineral analyses of those with hardened arteries is a very high calcium level, often with an elevated calcium/magnesium ratio of above 10:1.This pattern is associated with calcium deposition in the arteries as well as in other soft tissues, organs and glands of the body. If the problem occurs in the pelvic areas, it can certainly affect sexual function.

Other causes of hardening of the arteries with plaque formation that narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow are deficiencies of many common nutrients such as manganese, copper, zinc, bioflavinoids, B-complex vitamins and other needed for the health of the arteries and cardiovascular system.The most common cause for this is alcohol use, although poor diets, improper eating habits, drug use and other causes may all contribute to nutritional depletion of the body.

MEDICATIONS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

A growing cause for sexual dysfunction is the taking of many medications that are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks and many other conditions.These medications can block blood flow to the sexual organs, reduce sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve impulses from reaching the sexual organs and interfere in other ways as well.Always consider the effects of drugs when evaluating sexual dysfunction.

Many prescription and over-the-counter remedies, as well as alcohol and recreational drugs interfere with commonly needed nutrients.Most often the nutrients affected include B-complex vitamins, zinc and magnesium.However, the interaction between medications and nutrients are so complex that one cannot predict all the consequences of drug and alcohol use.

PSYCHOLOGICAL  ASPECTS OF IMPOTENCE

Medical science is well aware that emotional and psychological factors can have much to do with causing impotence, low sexual desire, painful erections, painful intercourse for women and other sexual problems.However, one should always consider physical and biochemical causes first, as these are simpler to correct.Also, if they are not corrected, the psychological therapies will be less effective, if they are effective at all.