Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects between 18 and 30 million men, mainly between the ages of 40 and 70. While it is not considered to be a normal part of aging, the process of aging can increase the risk of developing the condition, with men who are in their 60's four times more likely to have it than those in their 40's. While there are a number of contributing factors that are attributed to causing erectile dysfunction, one of the top five common causes is that of lifestyle choices and emotional issues, such as stress or performance anxiety. This is estimated to affect between 10 and 20 percent of men. While ED can be treated with a combination of medical approaches, a more holistic approach that incorporates non-traditional remedies might also be helpful.

So if you are among the men currently battling this difficult dilemma, here are a couple of suggestions that might help.

Call me a lecher

A lecher antenna or instrument does not turn you into a sex-obsessed individual. It is actually used to read the electromagnetic energy that surrounds the body and can therefore tell when these are out of alignment. Used as a diagnostic tool that can recognize health imbalances, environmental aggression and nutritional imbalances that may be contributing to the problem, it can give an indication of what factors you need to change in your surroundings, nutrition or lifestyle choices to help correct the situation. 

While this might initially appear a bit far-fetched, the fact is that the lecher instrument is used by therapists and clinicians alike who are willing to extend beyond the limitations of traditional approaches in what is known as an integrative approach - an approach that approximately 40 percent of Americans are willing to try.

Plants and things

Acupuncture is considered by Western medical professionals to help release endorphins in the body. Since endorphins are the body's natural stress fighters and pain relievers, this might be of help in addressing these forms of ED. The needles are usually implanted in the walls of the lower abdomen and may also release neurotransmitters that stimulate nerve endings and assist in reversing the problem of ED. While the results of clinical studies have been mixed, up to 39 percent of men can receive some amount of relief in using this method, and you could be one of them.

In addition, the use of such plants as Panax ginseng (red ginseng) and Rhodiola rosea may be helpful in getting the erection you desire. Both have shown evidence of being effective in the treatment of ED with as much as 26 out of 35 men, in one study, seeing effective results with the use of the rosea plant.