There are many ways men can improve their sex lives, and not all of them require a visit to the doctor’s office. Here’s a list of just five simple things men can do to fire up their time in the bedroom.

1. Get Plenty of Exercise
It sounds cliché, but that’s because it’s true. A healthy heart correlates to a healthy penis, and staying active is the best way to ensure heart health. We’re not saying you have to become a gym rat, either. 30 minutes of daily exercise that causes you to break a sweat is the key.

2. Reduce Stress
Stress can affect various areas of your body, and it can keep you from being able to get an erection. The stress hormone adrenaline directs blood flow away from your penis and puts it in places that need it if you were running or frightened. Look for ways to reduce the stress in your life. Some things you can do include exercising (see #1), talking to your partner or close friend about things that are bothering you, meditation, or even a punching bag.

3. Please Your Partner
Your partner’s desires are just as important as yours. When you take the time to please your partner, you will find that your own experience is more enjoyable, and you will want to slow down to make the experience last even longer. Your partner may find some extra motivation to do the same as well.

4. Help motivate your partner to be healthy and think sexy
Encourage your partner to follow the above advice. Couples that take their physical and emotional health seriously are most often the ones that fare best in the bedroom. Talk to your partner about your sexual fantasies and desires and ask them about theirs. Add these fantasies or role playing ideas into your sexual menu.

5. See a sexual health specialist.

Let’s face it, many men and women face sexual health issues that need to be addressed by a specialist. Whether ED or Low T for men; low libido, or menopause side effects for women — seeing a qualified specialist can mean the difference between living with sexual problems or moving beyond sexual dysfunction and returning to the sexual activity you desire.

Paul Gittens, MD, FACS is a Philadelphia-area board certified urologist and former assistant professor in OBGYN — fellowship-trained in sexual medicine and male reproductive health. He is an expert in the treatment of sexual dysfunction for men and women, and a specialist in male and female menopause and male infertility. Request a consultation today if you are concerned about your or your partner’s sexual health.