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How to Increase Blood Flow to the Penis Naturally

Improving blood flow to the penis naturally can involve diet changes, exercise, stress reduction, and supplements.

Medically Reviewed By Mostafa Elhennawy MS, Pharm D

Blood flow to the penis can be increased naturally by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and implementing lifestyle changes. A healthcare professional should be consulted for individualized medical advice if the desired improvements are not seen.

Penile blood flow is essential for male sexual health because it enables the formation and maintenance of an erection. A healthy erection depends on cardiovascular health and is critical for reproductive function. 

When the blood flow is restricted due to a medical condition, a lifestyle habit, or the effects of the diet, it is more difficult to achieve an erection. Moreover, impairment in erection can be predictive of heart disease, as it is affected by blood pressure levels.

This article will go over a variety of natural and medical treatments for increasing blood flow to the penis.

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Exercises to Improve Penile Blood Flow

Regular aerobic exercises, ranging from activities as simple as walking and cycling to specialized pelvic floor exercises, significantly improve erectile function.

Exercises contribute by improving blood circulation, reducing stress, managing weight, and promoting hormonal balance. These improvements, however, may be short-term and require ongoing exercise to maintain benefits.

Pelvic floor exercises increase the tone and bulk of these muscles, which prevents losing erection quickly. This method is as effective as some pharmacological treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). Combined with manual therapies like friction massage, it enhances blood flow, especially in men recovering from prostate surgery.

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Foods and Supplements That Help Penile Blood Flow

A healthy, well-balanced diet influences cardiovascular disease risk factors, which are recognized as markers of a significantly increased risk of ED. The Mediterranean diet, rich in virgin olive oil, vegetables, fruits, moderate wine consumption, whole grains, nuts, fibers, and fish, represents foods that lower the risk and severity of ED.

L-arginine, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and Kaempferia parviflora are well-known supplements that increase penile blood flow and improve erectile function. They provide a natural alternative to pharmaceutical treatments for ED.

Men who are vitamin D deficient are more likely to develop ED, so this vitamin is crucial for a healthy sexual life. Vitamin E, particularly when combined with ginseng, improves erectile function while reducing side effects. Taking magnesium supplements can be beneficial since low magnesium levels are linked to ED. 

Apart from magnesium, increasing the dietary intake of other trace metals (zinc, copper, and selenium) within the upper limit is beneficial in reducing the prevalence of ED. Additionally, folic acid, B3, and vitamin C can help treat symptoms or make them less severe.

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Lifestyle Changes for Better Circulation

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and managing stress, can significantly help increase blood flow to the penis. 

Smoking reduces penile blood flow and causes ED by vasoconstricting arteries through atherosclerosis. Smoking also lowers testosterone and increases free radicals. 

Men who quit smoking for 24 hours showed improved erectile parameters, with greater benefits after 1 month of using nicotine patches, indicating other harmful chemicals in cigarettes contribute to ED.

Stress triggers adrenaline and cortisol, constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow. Managing stress through yoga, meditation, or deep breathing improves circulation and addresses ED caused by mental health issues.

How Much Blood Does It Take to Get an Erection?

During arousal, penile arteries dilate, increasing blood volume and leading to rigidity. An erection begins when nerve signals release nitric oxide (NO). NO stimulates an enzyme called guanylate cyclase. This enzyme changes guanosine triphosphate (GTP) into cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). It is cGMP that leads to increased blood flow to the penis, making it firm and enlarged.

Blood flow into the penis rises from 0.5–6.5 ml/100g/min to 15.4–57.6 ml/100g/min. On average, it takes around 130 milliliters to maintain an erection.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP, returning the penis to a flaccid state. 

PDE5 inhibitors target this process, making them the most common oral medications for treating ED.

Medical Solutions to Increase Blood Flow in the Penis

Numerous medical solutions are available to increase penile blood flow, ranging from noninvasive (oral PDE5 inhibitors) to invasive options (injections, devices, and surgeries).

Oral Medications:

  • PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are considered first-line treatments for erectile dysfunction due to their effectiveness and safety profile
  • These medications work by inhibiting PDE5, which increases cGMP levels and promotes erections
  • Sildenafil typically works within 30 to 60 minutes and has a 3 to 5-hour half-life
  • Tadalafil stands out for its longer 17.5-hour half-life and independence from food intake, making it the only option approved for daily use

Medical Devices and Other Treatments:

  • Vacuum-assisted devices are effective for 90% of patients but may not be suitable for those with dexterity issues or a buried penis
  • Penile injections deliver medication directly into the penis for reliable results
  • Intraurethral suppositories offer an alternative for patients who prefer to avoid oral medications or injections
  • The penile prosthesis, a surgically implanted device, shows the highest patient satisfaction rate among all treatments
  • Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) is an experimental treatment aimed at improving blood vessel function and promoting new vessel growth

Jaxx Solution for ED

JaXX™ is a 2-in-1 treatment that combines generic Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) for faster absorption and prolonged effectiveness. 

Dissolving under the tongue, JaXX™ works in an average of 15 minutes, faster than traditional sildenafil. Its tadalafil component remains active for up to 36 hours, enabling prolonged performance. 

Tailored dosages ensure effectiveness, but a prescription is recommended for safety. Long-term, low-dose combinations of tadalafil and sildenafil are proven to treat severe ED more effectively than either drug alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to increase blood flow to the penis?

The fastest way to increase blood flow to the penis is to take oral PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil or tadalafil. Depending on the drug and the individual’s response, these medications can take effect in 20 to 60 minutes.

Can specific exercises permanently improve penile blood flow?

Yes, Kegel exercises, when done consistently, strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Strong pelvic floor muscles improve erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Regular practice can deliver results within a few weeks to a few months.

Can poor penile blood flow be reversed naturally?

Yes, lifestyle changes, including a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and stress management, can improve blood flow to the penis. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol also help.

Key Takeaways

  • Penile blood flow is a critical component of male sexual health, affecting erectile function and serving as a marker for cardiovascular health. 
  • Improving blood flow to the penis naturally can involve diet changes, exercise, stress reduction, and supplements. 
  • If natural remedies fail to improve erectile function, erectile dysfunction medications offer a safe and effective option.

Sources

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How to Increase Blood Flow to the Penis Naturally

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Von Thesling Sweet, G., Shindel, A.W. (2014). Physiology of Erection. In: Mulhall, J., Hsiao, W. (eds) Men’s Sexual Health and Fertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0425-9_1

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Azadzoi KM, Vlachiotis J, Pontari M, Siroky MB. Hemodynamics of penile erection: III. Measurement of deep intracavernosal and subtunical blood flow and oxygen tension. J Urol. 1995 Feb;153(2):521-6. doi: 10.1097/00005392-199502000-00075. PMID: 7815637.

Kegel exercises for men

Pomeshkina, S., Barbarash, O., & Pomeshkin, E. (2019). [Exercise training and erectile dysfunction in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting].. Terapevticheskii arkhiv, 91 9, 16-20 . https://doi.org/10.26442/00403660.2019.09.000149.

Meldrum, D., Burnett, A., Dorey, G., Esposito, K., & Ignarro, L. (2014). Erectile hydraulics: maximizing inflow while minimising outflow. The journal of sexual medicine, 11 5, 1208-20 . https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12457.

Safavi, M., Niknam, H., Okhovatian, F., Baghban, A., Naimi, S., & Roostayi, M. (2024). The Effect of Physiotherapy on Erectile Dysfunction Secondary to Prostatic Adenectomy: A Randomized Control Trial Study.. Urology journal. https://doi.org/10.22037/uj.v21i.7968.

Tahvilian, R., Golesorkhi, M., Parhoudeh, F., Heydarpour, F., Hosseini, H., Baghshahi, H., Akbari, H., Memarzadeh, M., Mehran, M., & Bagheri, H. (2024). The Effect of the Combination of Ginseng, Tribulus Terrestris, and L-arginine on the Sexual Performance of Men with Erectile Dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, parallel, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 27, 82 – 90. https://doi.org/10.3831/kpi.2024.27.2.82.

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Hirsh, S., Huber, L., Stein, R., Schmid, K., Swick, A., & Joyal, S. (2017). An open label study to evaluate the effect of Kaempferia parviflora in support of erectile function and male sexual health among overall healthy males 50–70. The FASEB Journal, 31. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.636.1. 

Krzastek SC, Bopp J, Smith RP, Kovac JR. Recent advances in the understanding and management of erectile dysfunction. F1000Res. 2019 Jan 25;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-102. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.16576.1. PMID: 30740217; PMCID: PMC6348436.

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