Our Nervous System and Great Sex

When we think about sexual function, it is easy to see the importance of the vascular system, which houses the blood that fills our genitals.  What is often overlooked, is the importance of the nervous system.  Without proper nerve conduction, our genitals will not fill with blood, and orgasm is impossible.  Most people don’t realize, for example, that a large percentage of women^⁠1 and men^⁠2 with sexual dysfunction have weaker nerve signals and slow nerve conduction velocity.  This means that their nerves send signals at a slower rate than they should.  

For example, in one study of 105 guys with erectile difficulties, nearly all had either a.) vascular issues, b.) nerve conduction problems, or c.) both vascular and nerve conduction problems.  Very few could attribute their erectile issues to other causes. In total, they found that half of the guys had sluggish nerves^⁠1! Research suggests that sexual pleasure and function for women is also dependent on the nervous system.  Studies have found that when nerves fire slowly, women too experience less pleasure and more difficulty achieving orgasm^⁠2.  

The food we eat affects how well our nerves send signals to and from the genitals and to other parts of our bodies.  We always want the free flow of qi (nerve impulses) and blood to and from the genitals.  We must eat foods that nourish that which carries qi and blood.  Certain foods make nerves send signals more quickly and with a stronger magnitude. They generally do this by protecting them from oxidative stress, and helping to rebuild and repair damage. For this reason, it is important to include abundant antioxidants in our diets found in colorful fruits and vegetables. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc are also important for the nervous system and for great sex, as are B vitamins. Research has shown that these nutrients actually increase the speed and intensity of nerves to and from the genitals.

¹ Garcia de Gurtubay Galligo I, Morales Blanquez G, Navajas Carasa D et al. (1999). Neurophysiologic Techniques in the Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction: Study of 105 Cases. Arch Esplanade’s Urol.  Apr;52(3):262-8

² Cortelazzi D1, Marconi A, Guazzi M, Cristina M, Zecchini B, Veronelli A, Cattalini C, Innocenti A, Bosco G, Pontiroli AE. (2013). Sexual dysfunction in pre-menopausal diabetic women: clinical, metabolic, psychological, cardiovascular, and neurophysiologic correlates. Acta Diabetol. Dec;50(6):911-7

¹ Kazem M. Azadzoicorresponding author and Mike B. Siroky. (2010). Neurologic Factors in Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction. Korean J Urol. Jul; 51(7): 443–449

² Valles‐Antuña, C., Fernandez‐Gomez, J. and Fernandez‐Gonzalez, F. (2011), Peripheral neuropathy: an underdiagnosed cause of erectile dysfunction. BJU International, 108: 1855-1859