Integrative Ayurveda & Yoga for Men’s Sexual Health

3 main factors:

Hormones, Circulation & Neurology

Hormones

account for only 3-6% of sexual dysfunction

  • Testosterone: more is not necessarily more esp. for young men

    • Primarily influences desire rather than arousal and exists in a delicate balance with other hormones including estrogen

Circulation

blood flow is most common cause of sexual dysfunction, 60-70%

  • Smoking of any kind can impact genital circulation

  • CVD, HBP, anatomical obstruction i.e. excess pelvic floor tension  esp. for young men

Neurology

Dopamine is the biggest neurotransmitter:  technology, porn, prescription or recreational drug use all affect dopamine levels

Sunlight shines through a tree and it's intricate pattern of branches and their leaves. The roots are undulating and connected.

Relational factors

  • Communication

  • Consent 

  • Context 

  • Age appropriate

  • Species appropriate

Microbiome

  • Oral microbiome: impacts systemic circulation and NO production

  • Practices: flossing and nose breathing esp. while sleeping are key

  • Estrobolome: regulates reproductive hormone balance

    • Increase prebiotic plant fiber diversity in the diet

    • Limit processed foods

Diet

  • Key foods are ones that naturally encourage nitric oxide production and contain lycopene

    • Beets, garlic, chocolate, bitter greens, citrus fruits, pomegranate, nuts and seeds, watermelon, guava, tomato, papaya, red bell pepper

  • Prostate disease is directly linked to the western diet and a lack of whole plant foods in the diet

    • flax seeds are particularly potent for the prostate gland

A glass with a thick beet puree and garnished with mint rests on a table.

The Marvin Gaye Puree

Ingredients:

1 quart of water

1 beet

1 fennel bulb

1 carrot

2 celery stalks

¼ cup pumpkin seeds or pistachios

1 red bell pepper or a ripe tomato

½ bunch fresh or 1 tablespoon of dried dill 

¼ cup lemon or lime juice

Optional: 1 Habanero pepper

Directions: Chop all the vegetables coarsely and simmer for 5 minutes. Using a blender, puree the cooked veggies and the dill. Add lemon or lime juice at the end. 

Drink two cups per day.

Yoga practice and movement

  • Nitric oxide is produced by novel movement and nasal breathing

  • Key practices: both tone and relax pelvic floor muscles

    • ujjayi breathing, joint mobilization warm-up, mālāsana, sūrya namaskāra, baddhakoṇāsana, jānu Śīrṣāsana, “Happy Baby” Pose, aśvini mudrā

Meditation

  • Sexual fixation is connected to the fear of death and suffering

  • Getting intimate with anger and grief

  • 100 days of celibacy 

Āyurveda

  • Fear dries up Śukra dhātu

  • Forcing seminal retention is toxic to both body and mind

  • Marma massage

  • Daily AM sunshine for both prostate & sexual health

  • Herbs 

    • Methikā, Epimedium: regulates sexual hormones

    • Śilājit: hot nature is inappropriate for younger men

    • Gokṣura and Āmalakī: for circulation

    • Ghee with Aśvagandha: for rejuvenation