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November 7, 2023

Struggling with erectile dysfunction is difficult, with countless men everywhere reaching for prescriptions medications like Viagra and Cialis for a little help in the bedroom.

But according to new research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, there’s something else you should try before reaching for Viagra. Here’s what they found.

For this study, researchers wanted to know whether aerobic exercise would improve erectile dysfunction (ED), given the condition is often linked with heart issues, inflammation, and narrowed arteries. Aerobic exercise can help with all three of those things, so the researchers thought it might help erectile dysfunction, too.

In order to find out, they pooled data on ED from 11 different studies, looking at which forms of treatment worked—whether it was an exercise prescription or a Viagra one.

Sure enough, aerobic exercise was almost as effective as prescription drugs Viagra, not to mention it’s free, accessible, and the only side effects are improved health!

More specifically, study participants who experienced improved erectile dysfunction compared to controls were doing 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise (i.e. walking, biking, jogging, swimming) three to fives times a week.

If you’re dealing with ED, these findings should come as good news; Not only is aerobic exercise as easy as stepping out your front door and going for a walk, but you don’t have to worry about any side effects that you might get with a prescription drug.

As the study authors concluded, “Health care providers should consider recommending regular aerobic exercise as a low-risk nonpharmacologic therapy for men experiencing erectile difficulties.”