Right or wrong, sex is often at the very center of how a man defines himself. When a man suffers from impotence, premature ejaculation, or infertility, feelings of inadequacy swell and he no longer “feels like a man.”  The mere mention of the word impotence is enough to send a shiver down the spine. The thought of being unable to perform is simply at direct odds with our image of what is “manly.”

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

The first step in solving the problem, of course, is to discover its source. Some of the most common causes for ED are atherosclerosis, diabetes, low testosterone, and prescription drugs such as those taken for high blood pressure, depression, and allergies. Atherosclerosis of the penile artery is the primary cause of ED in more than half of men over 50, and is a major red flag for impending heart attack or stroke. Drugs such as Viagra and Cialis temporarily mask the symptoms because they improve blood flow to erectile tissue, but the long-term solution is to improve the health of the arteries through diet, lifestyle changes, and proper supplementation.

Are There Any Nutritional or Natural Remedies For Erectile Dysfunction?

For optimal sexual function, we need optimal nutrition. A diet rich in whole foods—particularly vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds—is extremely important. So are some basic supplements including high-potency multivitamin/multimineral formulas, greens drinks, and pharmaceutical-grade fish oils. Beyond these basics, there are some key natural remedies for erectile dysfunction  that also deserve special mention:

Zinc is concentrated in semen, and frequent ejaculation can diminish the body’s stores. In response to a zinc deficiency, the body may reduce sexual drive in order to retain this important trace mineral.

L-arginine increases the formation of nitric oxide within blood vessels. As it relates to ED, L-arginine may improve blood flow to erectile tissue—the same net effect as the one produced by Viagra. In one study, 31 percent of those who took L-arginine reported improvement in sexual function compared to only 11 percent of control subjects.

Grape seed and pine bark extracts were shown to increase the benefits of L-arginine in one double-blind study, presumably by enhancing production of nitric oxide to an even greater degree than L-arginine alone.

Herbal treatments for ED include longjack (Eurycoma longifolia Jack), Tribulus terrestris, and Testofen, an extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).

In Asia, longjack has been traditionally used to enhance virility. Tribulus terrestris has also been used traditionally to improve sexual function in men. Animal studies indicate that tribulus may affect testosterone levels, but human studies haven’t produced consistent results. Testofen, on the other hand, has shown impressive results in improving libido and testosterone levels in human clinical trials.

On an average most women will have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. You might be amongst the many who end up on the lower end of the scale. A “missed” or irregular period is very subjective as it needs to be looked at in terms of what is normal for the individual. Menstrual periods are often irregular during the first few years after menstruation starts. It may take several years for the hormones that control menstruation to reach a balance.

Common Causes For Irregular Menstrual Periods

Irregular menstrual periods could be due to numerous reasons such as:

• Unevenness of the female hormones estrogens and progesterone for some years after sexual maturity.
• Hormonal discrepancy prior to the stoppage of menstruation.
• Poor nutrition especially a diet deficient in the mineral zinc and vitamin B6.
• A diet rich in carbohydrates.
• Anemia due to Iron deficiency.
• Excessive weight loss or gain (obesity).
• Too much exercise.
• Excessive intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, colas, etc.
• Constant worry and nervous tension due to psychological, emotive or bodily stress, leading to production of the hormone cortisol which in turn affects the production of the female hormones estrogen, progesterone and DHEA. The imbalance of all the aforementioned hormones serves to induce irregular menstrual cycles.
• Usage of a device or agent meant to prevent conception(contraceptive device).
• Miscarriage.
• D and C (dilatation and curettage).
• Recent delivery of a baby.
• Breastfeeding.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (development of fluid filled pouches in the ovaries).
• An unplanned pregnancy.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• An early still birth.
• Other problems within the uterus or ovaries.
• An abnormally active or an inadequately active thyroid.
• Usage of certain medications (prescribed or over the counter).
• Inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis, liver disease, and diabetes can also lead to irregular periods.
• Illegal drug (medications and banned substances) use.

Natural Ways To Maintain A Regular Menstrual Cycle

Do not get stressed out if you miss a period once in a while. Unless pregnant, your body will get your cycles back on track within the next month. Most important is to get your physical and psychological strength and balance right to support the body in this endeavor.

Nature has provided many natural herbs, seeds, and other alternatives that can help regularize menstrual cycles. Some of these are listed below:

• Fresh raw carrots or grapes juice is one of the most potent yet low-cost remedies for irregular menstrual cycles.
• Drinking ginger tea with honey on a daily basis serves to regularize the menstrual cycles.
• Add two teaspoonfuls of Parsley leaves in boiling water, let it stand for thirty minutes, filter through a sieve and enjoy this rich tea.
• Turmeric, the amazing herb is very beneficial for treatment of this malady.
• A juice mix prepared from fresh parsley, beet, carrot and cucumber.
• Recurrent intake of decoction prepared from leaves of bamboo tree is an ancient remedy for this ailment.
• Consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt and lean protein on a daily basis is recommended for regularization of menstrual cycles.
• Mint in powdered form, integrated with honey needs to be taken several times throughout the day is a tried and tested home remedy.
• Fennel seeds in water, works wonders.
• Concoction of Radish seeds blended with buttermilk can be taken daily.
• The distillate or essence from the bark of Ashoka tree not only incites the uterine walls but assists in stabilizing the menstrual cycles.
• The Chinese herb  Dong Quai or female ginseng regulates the menstrual current

The aforementioned herbs can assist in stabilizing hormones which is the most common cause for an irregular menstrual cycle. Usually, the herbs are taken two weeks prior to the start of your monthly cycle.

Apart from all this, reducing the consumption of refined carbohydrates, indulging in moderate regular exercise /yoga/meditation etc. goes a long way in getting the body, mind and soul all synced up to help overcome this condition.

Sex is a great form of exercise as you burn 7500 calories if you have sex for 15 minutes thrice a week and it makes you look younger. During sex, the body produces endorphins which act as painkillers, it aids in prostate protection, helps prevent erectile dysfunction and is a very effective stress reliever. It can heal your body and mind and prevent many diseases, Lets see in these  6 ways.

1. Pain Relief

The “Honey, not today, I have a headache” cannot be an excuse any more. During sex, both male and female bodies produce endorphins, hormones that act as weak painkillers. A study conducted by Gina Ogden showed that during sexual stimulation and especially during orgasm, we don’t feel pain. If she finds another excuse, remind her that sex is good for her entire reproductive system, because it trains the PC muscle, which keeps the reproductive organs in shape. In women, sex can also increase fertility, postpone the menopause and relieve PMS symptoms.

2. Prostate Protection

Most of the fluid you ejaculate is secreted by the prostate gland. If you stop ejaculating, the fluid stays in the gland, which tends to swell, causing lots of problems. Regular ejaculation will wash those fluids out and ensure the well being of your prostate until old age. Problems may also occur when you suddenly change the frequency of ejaculations.

3. Prevents Erectile Dysfunction

Fifty per cent of men older than 40 suffer from erectile dysfunctions and all young men fear the moment when they won’t be able to get it up any more. The best medicine against impotence is…sex. An erection keeps the blood flowing through your penile arteries, so the tissue stays healthy. Plus, doctors compare an erection to an athletic reflex: the more you train the more capable you are to perform.

4. Stress Relief

It’s a scientific fact: sex can be a very effective way of reducing stress levels. During sex your body produces dopamine, a substance that fights stress hormones, endorphins, aka “happiness hormones” and oxytocin, a desire-enhancing hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.

5. Great Form of Exercise

Making love is a form of physical activity. During intercourse, the physiological changes in your body are consistent with a workout. You must have noticed that the respiratory rate rises, which means you get tired. Hence, you burn calories. If you have sex three times a week for 15 minutes (but we know you can do better than that) you’ll burn about 7.500 calories in a year. That’s the equivalent of jogging 75 miles! Heavy breathing raises the amount of oxygen in your cells, and the testosterone produced during sex keeps your bones and muscles strong.

6. Makes You Look Younger

Making love three times a week can make you look 10 years younger, claims a Scottish researcher. “It’s good for you to have good sex,” says David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, whose study on the effects of sex on aging appears in his book, Secrets of the Super young.

To solve a difficult problem, give it to a lazy person. They will find the easiest way out – so goes the word on the street, with even people like Bill Gates echoing this wisdom! So are lazy people smarter or do they just do the bare minimum to scrape through situations? Let’s find out.

Lazy Or In Deep Thought?

One group of researchers in Florida were intrigued by what laziness really meant. Why do some people prefer a more inactive lifestyle, seemingly “deep in thought”? They administered a classic questionnaire-based test to two sets of candidates – thinkers and non-thinkers, on the basis of the trait of “need for cognition.” (The “need for cognition” is a psychology term to indicate a personality type that is more inclined toward effortful cognitive activities.) The participants were given activity trackers to wear for the following week. Results showed that the thinkers were far less active than the non-thinkers. The thinkers preferred to spend time on their own thoughts while the other group probably got bored more easily and needed physical activity to stay alert and engaged. The study did have some gaps (like weekend data not showing any difference between the groups and the impact of candidates’ occupation on activity levels not being factored in), but it gets us thinking alright. Is having the trait of “need for cognition” a direct reflection of intelligence or a decoy for laziness?¹ Although the study may have given lazy people a reason to celebrate, it appears to be early days to take it too seriously. And, in the meantime, arguments stack up on the other side!

Output Failure

In his seminal book The Myth of Laziness, Dr Mel Levine writes about how laziness is really a myth. He starts with the theory that mankind was not originally wired to be lazy. We are programmed to act, achieve, grow, and progress. We constantly seek actions that will move us forward and give us recognition and self-satisfaction. We have a basic drive to be productive. In some of us, when the actions don’t produce results, an output failure leads to low achievement, and, subsequently, lower effort – which is viewed as laziness. This is the way lazy people are wired, he explains. They need help to remove the obstacles and achieve their objective. But being branded lazy – and thus getting some validation for their laziness – doesn’t help. It just gives the mind an excuse to rationalize underachievement and be ok with it!²

Extreme Laziness?

What if laziness was not just about bunking a class or sleeping in to skip a long to-do list? What if it was much bigger than failing to try harder? A British Medical Journal report pointed out that certain people may actually have a medical condition involving extreme laziness called motivational deficiency disorder (MDD). Citing an Australian study, it suggested that the “overwhelming and debilitating apathy” can even be fatal – because a person with MDD may even lose the motivation to breathe.³ Turned out the report was an April Fool’s Day hoax! Yes, a prank, but one which sought to raise awareness against “disease mongering,” that is, over-sensationalizing common conditions such as laziness and giving them undue importance.

What Laziness May Actually Mean

Even with researchers who are at loggerheads, one consensus emerges – laziness, if overlooked, can impact your life detrimentally. Hiding under the garb of laziness can only lead you to a hugely unfulfilling life, spiraling into other health issues like obesity, low motivation levels, and depression.⁴ If your laziness also translates to a general lack of energy and fatigue that bogs you down, a vitamin or mineral deficiency (such as magnesium, B12, or iron) may be to blame and will need immediate attention. In fact, in her book The Vitamin Complex, Catherine Price points out how “scurvy [as a result of vitamin C deficiency] starts with lethargy so intense that people once believed laziness was a cause, rather than a symptom, of the disease.”⁵ Inactivity may also be the subconscious choice of a weak heart that tires quickly, while depression may compel you to be lazy, anti-social, and reclusive.

Ancient sciences like Ayurveda too refuse to condone laziness, suggesting simple and natural routines to keep the various doshas in balance and avoid the sloth bug. Ideally, we should be able to enjoy the creativeness of vata, the intelligence from pitta, and the steadiness from kapha. Excess kapha dosha can manifest in laziness and lethargy, and you can undo this by spending more time outdoors and through exercise and movement.⁶

Don’t Glorify Laziness

Researchers have tried but, for now, there isn’t any conclusive proof to suggest that lazy folks are actually much more intelligent and just prefer a thoughtful and inactive life. On the other hand, laziness can point to physical, mental, and motivational issues that may require immediate intervention. Remember, humans are wired to be active and productive. So do watch out for excessive laziness and sort out the root cause