Your erectile dysfunction is probably physical. Return to the start of this selector In a 14-year, 22,086 participant study reported in Medscape, ED was most likely to arise in men who were current smokers, overweight or obese, and who lived a sedentary lifestyle. These factors are known to be linked with other conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the authors conclude that the link with ED might be a useful motivator for men to improve their health-related lifestyle choices. According to Harvard Medical School as we age, there are plenty of ways to stay in the game and enjoy it. It's as true of sex as it is of sports.

The good news is that erectile dysfunction issues can often be solved by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Click for more information:

Start walking. According to one Harvard study, just 30 minutes of walking a day was linked with a 41% drop in risk for ED. Other research suggests that moderate exercise can help restore sexual performance in obese middle-aged men with ED.

Eat right. In the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, eating a diet rich in natural foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish - with fewer red and processed meat and refined grains - decreased the likelihood of ED.

Pay attention to your vascular health. High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides can all damage arteries in the heart (causing heart attack), in the brain (causing stroke), and leading to the penis (causing ED). An expanding waistline also contributes. Check with your doctor to find out whether your vascular system - and thus your heart, brain, and penis - is in good shape or needs a tune-up through lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medications.

Size matters, so get slim and stay slim. A trim waistline is one good defense - a man with a 42-inch waist is 50% more likely to have ED than one with a 32-inch waist. Losing weight can help fight erectile dysfunction, so getting to a healthy weight and staying there is another good strategy for avoiding or fixing ED. Obesity raises risks for vascular disease and diabetes, two major causes of ED. And excess fat interferes with several hormones that may be part of the problem as well.

Move a muscle, but we're not talking about your biceps. A strong pelvic floor enhances rigidity during erections and helps keep blood from leaving the penis by pressing on a key vein. In a British trial, three months of twice-daily sets of Kegel exercises (which strengthen these muscles), combined with biofeedback and advice on lifestyle changes - quitting smoking, losing weight, limiting alcohol - worked far better than just advice on lifestyle changes.

You know or suspect that you have a medical condition that impacts your sexual performance.