Is it safe to exercise after taking Viagra?

Neither the Australian Viagra leaflet nor the sildenafil label warns against exercise, but sex is exertion too, which is why a doctor checks your heart before prescribing it. "Because sexual activity may place a strain on your heart, your doctor will need to check whether you are fit enough to take VIAGRA" (Viagra consumer medicine information). In a placebo-controlled exercise stress trial of 144 men with ED and stable angina, sildenafil made no clinically relevant difference to the time until angina stopped them (sildenafil label). Sildenafil lowers blood pressure mildly and briefly, dizziness is among its side effects, and the leaflet says not to drive or use machinery if you feel dizzy or your vision changes. Is it safe to exercise after taking Viagra or sildenafil? Whether it improves performance is another question: does Viagra enhance athletic performance?

Can creatine or whey protein cause erectile dysfunction?

Neither is among the causes of erectile dysfunction named by healthdirect, Healthy Male or Australian Prescriber. The substances those sources do name are alcohol, smoking and drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine (Australian Prescriber). What studies of each supplement report: does creatine cause or affect erectile dysfunction? and can whey protein cause ED? Products sold to boost erections are a different matter: why some "herbal" sex pills contain hidden medicines.

Can alcohol cause erectile dysfunction, and can it be reversed?

Yes, and stopping drinking often helps. healthdirect lists alcohol among the physical causes of ED (healthdirect), and the Australian Viagra leaflet says that "drinking alcohol can temporarily impair the ability to get an erection. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol before sexual activity." In a study of 104 men with alcohol use disorder and ED, 92 (88.5%) had better erections after three months without alcohol; younger men, and those who had drunk for fewer years and less each day, improved more (J Sex Med 2022). Can alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction be reversed?, why does alcohol affect male sexual performance? and can alcohol cause ED? The drink-by-drink questions: which alcohol helps you last longer in bed? and can red wine improve erectile dysfunction? With the tablets: can you drink alcohol with Viagra? and drinking while taking Cialis.

Can low B12, folic acid or vitamin D cause erectile dysfunction?

None of the three is among the causes of ED named by healthdirect, Healthy Male or Australian Prescriber. What studies of blood levels and supplements have found is on each page: can a vitamin B12 deficiency or excess cause ED?, does folic acid have any effect on erectile dysfunction? and can a vitamin D deficiency cause ED? The supplements with trial evidence are ranked in the best vitamins and supplements for erectile dysfunction.

Does smoking cause erectile dysfunction, and does quitting help?

Yes on both counts. healthdirect lists smoking among the causes of ED, and stopping smoking among the ways some causes can be prevented (healthdirect). In a study of 281 smokers with ED and no other risk factors, erections had improved after a year in at least 25% of the 118 who quit, and in none of the 163 who kept smoking; older men and men with more severe ED improved less (BJU Int 2004). How long does it take for ED to get better after quitting smoking?, can quitting smoking reverse erectile dysfunction? and does smoking cause ED? The sildenafil label does not mention smoking among the things that change how the medicine works: does smoking make Viagra less effective?

Do coffee and energy drinks cause erectile dysfunction?

Caffeine is not among the named causes, and in one large survey men who had more of it reported ED less often. Among 3,724 US men, those taking 85–303 mg of caffeine a day were less likely to report ED than those taking almost none — an association the authors say still needs testing in studies that follow men over time (PLoS One 2015). A 250 mL energy drink holds about 80 mg of caffeine and an espresso about 145 mg, and healthy adults can safely have around 400 mg a day (healthdirect). Does caffeine or coffee cause erectile dysfunction? and can energy drinks cause ED? With the tablets: coffee and caffeine with sildenafil and can you mix energy drinks with Viagra?

Does drinking water help erectile dysfunction?

Neither healthdirect, Healthy Male nor Australian Prescriber lists water among ED treatments, or dehydration among its causes. The lifestyle steps they do name are further down this page. Does drinking water help erectile dysfunction? and can dehydration cause ED?

Can losing weight or exercising cure erectile dysfunction?

They can improve it, and for some men they are enough. healthdirect lists obesity and metabolic syndrome among the chronic conditions that contribute to ED, and more exercise and a healthier diet among the ways to prevent some causes (healthdirect). In a two-year trial in 110 obese men with ED, 17 of the 55 given a program to cut kilojoules and move more reached normal erectile function, against 3 of the 55 given general advice (JAMA 2004). A review of exercise trials recommends 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise four times a week — 160 minutes a week — for six months (Sex Med 2018). Can obesity cause ED, and can losing weight cure it?, can exercise cure or improve erectile dysfunction?, can overtraining lead to ED? and can the keto diet lead to erectile dysfunction? Pelvic-floor training is covered in exercises to treat ED.

Does cycling affect erections?

Not in a large survey: cyclists had no worse sexual function than swimmers or runners. Among 3,932 men, cyclists had no worse sexual or urinary function, but more urethral strictures; standing on the pedals more than 20% of the time, and a handlebar higher than or level with the saddle, went with less genital numbness (J Urol 2018). Does cycling affect erectile function?

Can lack of sleep cause erectile dysfunction?

Sleep disorders can. healthdirect lists sleep disorders among the chronic conditions that contribute to ED, and says adults with untreated obstructive sleep apnoea have a higher risk of "decreased libido, and male erectile dysfunction" (healthdirect); a GP assessing ED asks about sleep, snoring and sleep apnoea (Australian Prescriber). Can lack of sleep cause erectile dysfunction? and can sleep apnoea cause ED, and can CPAP help?

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