Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

What is known, what is speculative, and what helps: porn-related erection difficulties are supported mainly by case reports and surveys linking heavy, novel porn use to desensitization and problems during partnered sex, while large controlled trials proving causation or universal timelines are still lacking. Improvement often comes from a structured porn break or reduction, CBT or couples therapy, mindfulness, exercise, good sleep, limiting alcohol, and medical evaluation for other causes with possible short-term meds, but the best plan depends on your situation. There are several factors to consider, including psychological contributors, tracking progress, and when to seek care; see the complete details below.

Several medical conditions can cause sudden sleep episodes, including primary sleep disorders (narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, obstructive sleep apnea), neurological diseases (Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, brain lesions), metabolic and endocrine problems (hypothyroidism, hepatic encephalopathy from liver disease, uremia from kidney failure), as well as medication or alcohol effects, circadian disruption, chronic sleep loss, mood disorders, and vitamin deficiencies. Key red flags and the tests and treatments that guide next steps, like when cataplexy, near-miss accidents, new sedating medicines, or worsening sleepiness with liver or kidney disease appear, are explained below and can change how urgently you should seek care.

Seeing things as you fall asleep is usually a benign hypnagogic hallucination caused by a brief overlap of wakefulness with REM dream activity, often triggered by sleep loss, stress, irregular schedules, or certain medications. There are several factors and red flags to consider, since frequent or distressing episodes or symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, or confusion can signal conditions such as narcolepsy or liver disease; for practical ways to reduce episodes and clear guidance on when to seek care, see the complete answer below.

Sleep paralysis plus daytime sleepiness is most often linked to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, idiopathic hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorders or sleep debt, and can also occur with PTSD or anxiety, migraine, and substance use or withdrawal. There are several factors to consider; red flags include cataplexy, loud snoring with breathing pauses, and safety-impairing sleepiness. See below for the specific signs, tests, and treatments that can guide your next steps.

There are several factors to consider: most chest pressure during sleep paralysis arises from REM-related muscle atonia blending with vivid hallucinations, with anxiety often triggering or amplifying episodes, though sleep loss, shift work, substances, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea can also contribute. See the complete guidance below for red flags that need urgent care, how to tell anxiety or REM physiology from medical causes, and actionable steps to prevent episodes and know when to talk to a clinician.

Pelvic floor muscle training is the number one workout change for improving ED; targeted Kegels done about 3 times per week for 12 weeks strengthen the muscles that trap blood in the penis and have been shown to raise IIEF scores and improve rigidity and control. There are several factors to consider, like learning the proper technique, combining PFMT with aerobic and resistance training, and knowing when ED may signal a health condition; see the complete details below to guide safe next steps and maximize results.

A 5-minute daily pelvic floor Kegel routine is an evidence-backed, drug-free way to improve erectile quality by strengthening the muscles that help trap blood in the penis, with trials showing many men notice meaningful gains in 2 to 3 months. There are several factors to consider, including how to find the right muscles and follow the step-by-step sequence, who is most likely to benefit, when to seek medical care for red flags, and how to combine this with medications or devices for best results; see complete details below.

A 60-second breathing exercise can improve erections: inhale for 5 counts and exhale for 5 counts, about 12 breaths total, to shift your nervous system toward relaxation, reduce performance anxiety, and enhance nitric oxide and blood flow. There are several factors to consider for lasting results, including lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, combining with medications, and knowing when to seek medical care; see the complete how-to, benefits, and red flags below.

Hip dips are natural inward curves or indentations along the sides of the hips just below the hip bone, shaped primarily by your pelvic structure and how muscle and fat are distributed. They are normal and not a health problem, but appearance can vary and there are ways to soften their look as well as warning signs to watch for if pain or sudden changes appear. There are several factors to consider. See the complete details below to decide what next steps, if any, make sense for you.

Mucinex contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that thins and loosens thick mucus so your cough is more productive and chest congestion is easier to clear; it does not suppress your cough and instead helps you expel mucus. There are several factors to consider, including different versions like Mucinex, Mucinex DM, and Mucinex D, who should avoid or first ask a clinician, proper dosing, side effects and interactions, and warning signs that require medical advice; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Farxiga 10 mg is used to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, to lower the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and reduce kidney or cardiovascular events, even in people without diabetes. There are several factors to consider, including who should not use it, potential side effects like genital or urinary infections and rare ketoacidosis, drug interactions, and needed monitoring. See the complete details below to guide your next steps and know when to contact a clinician.

Farxiga is used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces hospitalizations and cardiovascular death in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and slows chronic kidney disease progression, with benefits seen even in many people without diabetes. There are several factors to consider, including potential side effects and who should not use it; see below for safety details, monitoring, and how to decide next steps with your clinician.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is a prescription SGLT2 inhibitor that helps the kidneys remove sugar through urine and is used for type 2 diabetes, to reduce hospitalizations in heart failure (especially with reduced ejection fraction), and to slow chronic kidney disease. There are several factors to consider, including who should avoid it, possible side effects like genital infections, dehydration, and rare ketoacidosis, dosing and monitoring needs, and interactions with diuretics or insulin. See the complete details below to guide your next steps with your healthcare provider.

Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle, light-pressure technique that follows lymph pathways to move fluid, reduce swelling, and support immune function and detoxification, often used after surgery or for lymphedema. There are several factors to consider. See below for safety warnings and who should avoid it, what to expect in a session, evidence and costs, how to choose a qualified therapist, and guidance on next steps in your care.

Tdap is a single-shot vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, boosting waning immunity and recommended for preteens, adults who have not had it, and during each pregnancy to help protect newborns. There are several factors to consider, including timing in pregnancy, 10-year Td boosters, common mild side effects, and rare reasons some people should not receive it. See below for complete details that can guide your next steps and a conversation with your healthcare provider.

There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Taking Metamucil right before bed can cause nighttime bathroom trips and gas that disrupt sleep, raises a small risk of choking or blockage if you lie down without enough water, and can interfere with other bedtime medications or worsen dehydration; below you will also find guidance on ideal timing, how much water to use, spacing it from other meds, starting doses, warning signs, and special precautions for conditions like liver disease.

Cinnamon may help with erectile problems indirectly by improving metabolic health drivers like blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and endothelial function, but there are no large trials proving a direct ED cure. There are several factors to consider; see below for how to pair it with exercise, weight management, and diet, plus why Ceylon cinnamon is safer for regular use. Typical food-level use is about 1 to 4 g daily, with medication interactions and liver cautions to note, and ongoing ED or red flag symptoms should prompt medical care. Key details that could change your next steps are outlined below.

There are several factors to consider. Excessive internet porn can contribute to erectile difficulties by desensitizing arousal pathways and conditioning arousal to specific porn cues, but ED also has common medical causes that a clinician should rule out with basic heart, hormone, and metabolic checks. A calm, blame free talk using I statements, a 4 to 12 week porn break, therapy such as CBT or couples counseling, healthy lifestyle changes, and short term ED meds when appropriate can help; see below for detailed steps, timelines, tests, and when to see a urologist so you can choose the right next move.

For women supporting a partner with ED, encourage a balanced routine of aerobic exercise, 2 to 3 days of strength training, and daily pelvic floor exercises, plus gentle stretching to reduce stress; these approaches have evidence for improving erections. Avoid pushing through pain, unsupervised heavy lifting, and sudden extreme endurance, and seek medical care for red flag symptoms or serious conditions. There are several factors to consider, including specific time targets, motivation strategies, and when to see a clinician, so see the complete guidance below.

For women supporting a partner, garlic can be a small part of a heart-healthy routine that may aid blood flow, but direct proof it improves erectile dysfunction is limited and much weaker than proven treatments. There are several factors to consider. See below for how to use it safely, who should avoid it, lifestyle changes and medications with stronger evidence, and when to seek medical care, as these details can shape your next steps.

Ginger can help some men with ED by supporting blood flow through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but it is not a cure; try fresh-root tea or a reputable standardized supplement paired with lifestyle changes, and skip proprietary male enhancement pills, DIY mixes, and ingesting essential oils since results build over weeks. Side effects are usually mild but include heartburn and a higher bleeding risk with high doses or blood thinners, and ED can signal hidden heart, metabolic, or hormonal problems. There are several factors to consider; see below for exact dosing, what to avoid, timelines, safety interactions, and when to seek medical care.

Cold showers are not proven to help ED; they constrict blood vessels, reducing penile blood flow, and they are not recommended in major ED guidelines. They can also spike heart rate and blood pressure or cause numbness, so men with heart disease, Raynaud’s, or advanced liver disease should be cautious or avoid them. Safer, evidence-based options include exercise, weight management, PDE-5 medications, and counseling; if he still wants to try, keep it brief and mildly cool, and see below for specifics, warning signs, and when to talk to a doctor because these details can affect the best next steps.

Kegel pelvic floor exercises can meaningfully improve erections and confidence, and you can support him without awkwardness by keeping communication positive, practicing together, setting simple reminders, and celebrating progress. There are several factors to consider, including proper technique, consistent 3 to 6 month practice, lifestyle support, checking for medical causes, and knowing when to speak with a doctor if symptoms persist or are severe; see below for step by step guidance, research highlights, and next steps.

Pelvic floor exercises can improve female arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain, with progress often starting in 1 to 2 weeks, becoming noticeable by 7 to 12 weeks, and building into longer term gains at 3 to 6 months. There are several factors to consider. If there is no improvement by 12 weeks, consider pelvic floor physical therapy and medical evaluation, and seek prompt care for severe pain or bleeding; see below for the step by step routine, progress milestones, tools that can accelerate results, and guidance on next steps.

Ashwagandha may help mild, stress-related erection problems by lowering cortisol and sympathetic drive through HPA-axis modulation, supporting testosterone, and possibly improving nitric oxide signaling, but direct, high-quality trials on erectile outcomes are still limited. There are several factors to consider, including small short studies, variable product quality, potential side effects and interactions, and the need to pair any 2 to 3 month standardized regimen with lifestyle care and medical evaluation; see details below for evidence, dosing, safety, and when to seek professional help.

Yes, magnesium often makes you poop by acting as an osmotic laxative that draws water into the intestines; common forms like citrate, hydroxide, sulfate, and oxide can work within about 30 minutes to 12 hours depending on the dose. There are several factors to consider, including starting with the lowest effective dose, potential side effects like diarrhea and cramps, staying hydrated, and special cautions for people with kidney or heart issues, during pregnancy, in children, and older adults; see the complete details and red flags to watch for below.

Folic acid can support erections by lowering homocysteine and preserving nitric oxide availability, and small trials show modest improvements in erectile function, especially in men with elevated homocysteine or when combined with PDE5 inhibitors. There are several factors to consider; see below for optimal dosing and duration (typically 1 to 5 mg daily for 8 to 12 weeks), when to check folate, B12, and homocysteine, potential B12 masking and drug interactions, lifestyle steps, and warning signs that warrant medical evaluation.

Most healthy adults digest and pass food in about 24 to 72 hours, though it can be as quick as 12 hours or as slow as several days; typical stage times are roughly 2 to 4 hours in the stomach, 4 to 6 hours in the small intestine, and 12 to 48 hours in the colon. There are several factors to consider, including diet, hydration, activity, medications, and medical conditions, plus warning signs like persistent pain, blood in stool, or unexplained weight loss that may change what you should do next, so see the complete details below.

Normal bowel-movement frequency ranges from three times a day to three times a week, and stool consistency, ease, and predictability matter as much as how often you go. There are several factors to consider, and red flags like blood, severe or persistent pain, black stools, or sudden lasting changes should prompt medical care; see below for details, self-care tips, and guidance on next steps.

Systematic reviews show Korean red ginseng can modestly improve erectile function versus placebo, based on 7 randomized trials with about 370 men, using 600 to 3,000 mg daily for 4 to 12 weeks, with benefits often appearing by weeks 4 to 8. It is generally well tolerated, with mild headache, insomnia, or digestive upset reported, but interactions and product quality matter; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below to guide dosing, safety, and next steps with your clinician.