By LILIAN U. OKORO

A Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Ayodele Ademola, says people should be more conscious of what they eat as diet and lifestyle can contribute to potency problem.

Ademola, also the Medical Director, StrongTower Hospital and Advanced Fertility Centre, Lagos, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

NAN reports that potency problem also known as Erectile Dysfunction occurs when a man cannot get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

The consultant stated that diets high in saturated fats were linked to heart diseases, adding that men with heart disease were more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.

He said that changes to diet, exercise, reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption could reduce the risk of developing conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases that could lead to erectile dysfunction.

“Healthy lifestyle habits like getting regular exercise, eating a varied and nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco use should be maintained,” Ademola said.

The medical doctor noted that erectile dysfunction, which could be in form of weak erection and premature ejaculation, could lead to depression, thereby making it complicated and resulting to high blood pressure.

According to him, erectile dysfunction can occur as a result of physical, neurological or psychological condition, adding that it can cause stress, relationship strain and low self-confidence.

He said that counselling and services of an experienced medical practitioner were required in the treatment/management of erectile dysfunction.

Ademola said there were available medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, warning that they should be taken under strict medical prescription and supervision.

“Patients suffering from erectile dysfunction should first be evaluated for any underlying physical and psychological conditions.

“If treatment of the underlying conditions doesn’t help, medication and devices that can be used such as pumps, can be prescribed,” he said.

The consultant, therefore, advised people with potency problem to desist from self-medication or usage of enhancement drugs, but to seek proper diagnosis and treatment.

He said the usage of sex enhancement drugs could cause cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart failure and other related diseases.

According to him, there are many instances where people who use sex enhancement drugs ends up losing their lives.

“I have had a situation where two elderly couple, who take erectile dysfunction drug simultaneously, had heart attack and died.

“Also, a young man of about 45 years, who take an overdose of tramadol with the aim of enhancing his sex performance, also died in the course of having sexual intercourse.

“If anyone has potency problem, it is advisable that such person seeks medical attention rather than using enhancement drugs.

“This is because of its many underlying side effects which may result in complete loss of life,” Ademola said. (NAN)

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