Many men do not know that poor blood flow and the enzyme Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) which causes restricted blood flow is the major reason for weak erection. It is not unusual to see symptoms of this condition once in a while however if it becomes persistent over the space of 4 weeks it is considered Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

What you should know however is that your habits can either cause or worsen ED. Most of these habits affect blood flow and cause erectile issues. In this article, I'll like to enlighten you about habits you should run away from if you have ED according to Healthline.

1. Excessive nicotine use.

Cigarettes, cigars, and other similar products contain nicotine which can damage your blood vessels and reduces the effectiveness of nitric acid which helps to open up the blood vessels to allow more blood to flow. If nitric acid is impaired, blood flow is also obstructed

2. Lack of sleep

No matter how busy you are, you shouldn't joke about quality sleep. Not sleeping enough especially due to sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Men who miss quality sleep may develop atherosclerosis (plaques in the arteries) which affects blood circulation and may in turn causes erectile issues. Ensure that you get 6-8 hours of sleep every night.

3. Stress.

Psychological factors like stress and anxiety are often the culprit behind ED according to research. Being stressed or anxious can make you more likely to develop other conditions that have been linked to ED. These conditions include heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, alcohol use disorder, high cholesterol, etc.