The free habit that came close to ED pills in 11 trials
The one thing
Do 30 to 60 minutes of cardio, three to five days a week.
Aerobic exercise improves the lining of blood vessels, including the ones that fill the penis.
Do it today
- Pick something that raises your heart rate: brisk walking, cycling, swimming, jogging.
- Aim for 30 to 60 minutes, three to five days a week.
- Keep it up. The trials ran for weeks to months, not days.
What the study found
Across the trials, erectile function scores rose by 2.8 points on average. Men with mild ED gained 2.3 points, moderate ED 3.3, and severe ED 4.9. The researchers called the effect close to that of ED medication.
- Who
- Men in 11 randomized trials of aerobic exercise.
- Type of study
- Systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Keep in mind
- Trials were mostly small, and exercise routines varied between them.
Check first: ED can be an early sign of heart disease. If it’s new for you, it’s worth a checkup.
Source: Khera, Miller et al., Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2023
Educational information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.