INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Millions of men who experience erectile dysfunction (ED) each year are too embarrassed to talk about it with their doctor. ED is a very common disorder, but it is not considered to be a "normal" part of aging. ED is often a signal that there is an underlying problem that needs to be treated. Before attempting to overcome ED on your own, it's very important to make an appointment with your doctor and clear up any other issues that might be affecting your ability to sustain an erection.   Talk to your doctor about your vascular health.  If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar, it's possible that one of these conditions has damaged arteries in your body and could contribute to ED. Heart disease and diabetes are two serious conditions that often start with ED as a symptom. If you have one of these disorders, getting treatment should help you overcome erectile dysfunction. Make it a priority to get outside or go to the gym to walk, run, swim, bike, or do strength training at least 4 times a week. According to a study conducted by Harvard, walking 30 minutes a day caused a 41% drop in risk for ED. Getting regular exercise aids circulation, getting your blood pumping through your entire body. When it's time to sustain an erection, better circulation is key. Larger waistlines are associated with higher rates of ED. Putting in the work to slim down can lead to huge improvements in the bedroom. Make sure you're eating a healthy diet loaded with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.   Avoid processed foods and foods made with refined sugars and flours. Replace high-calorie drinks with water or unsweetened tea. Eat healthy snacks like nuts, carrots, and apples instead of reaching for sugar-laden power bars or fast food. Smoking can make ED worse since it interferes with your circulatory system and is linked to diseases that cause ED. If you're having trouble sustaining an erection, now might be the time to give up the cigarettes for good. If quitting doesn't seem possible right now, cut back as much as you can. If you can limit your smoking to a few cigarettes a day, that's better than smoking a pack. Alcohol is another substance that has a huge impact on erections. After a few drinks, many men of all ages find it much more difficult to stay hard. The pelvic floor helps the penis stay hard during erections by pressing on a vein that keeps blood from leaving until the erection is over. Men who exercise their pelvic floor have better results than those who rely solely on lifestyle changes to correct erectile dysfunction. Perform Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscle.  To find your pelvic floor, tighten the muscles you'd need to tighten to stop your urine flow. Tighten and release the muscle 8 times, then rest and do it 8 more times. Continue until you've done 3 or 4 sets of 8. Do Kegels every day at least once a day.

SUMMARY: Get past your dislike of the doctor's office. Exercise regularly. Keep your weight down. Quit smoking. Avoid alcohol. Exercise your pelvic floor.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Bringing your question up on a whim might not give you enough time to talk. Invite your parents to have a formal conversation. Your parents will see how serious this is for you, as well as how much you value their decision. If they say now isn't an ideal time, set up a scheduled conversation with them later on. You could say, for example, "Hey, Mom and Dad. I have a question for both of you. If you're not busy, can we talk tonight at around seven?" Look through your notes and pick one of your strongest talking points. Tell them how much you loved your first piercing and how you've thought about getting a second. Let them know how much your respect their authority, and ask them what their opinion is. A sample conversation could look like: "Mom and Dad, remember how I got my ears pierced last December? Well, I want to get my upper ear pierced, too. I think upper ear piercings look really stylish and are low-maintenance to take care of. The last thing I want to do is get pierced without your permission. What do you think?" Your parents, especially if they dislike piercings, might have a perspective opposite of your own. Don't launch into a yelling match. Instead, listen to them. Let them know what points of theirs you agree with, and show them that you understand their point. Bring up your own points in response with a level and empathetic head. If they say tongue piercings get infected easily, for example, you could say, "Thanks for thinking of my safety. I know that tongue piercings are harder to take care of, but I've taken care of my earrings for two years with no infection. Plus, I looked up proper tongue ring care for the first six months." Even after explaining your points, your parents still might feel wary about multiple piercings. Maybe they feel like piercings are expensive, or maybe they don't agree with where you want a piercing. Try to meet them in the middle and find a resolution that works for both sides.  If they're worried about the money, for example, offer to do chores around the house or babysit for the neighbors. Remember to keep your end of the bargain. If you forget, your parents may judge you as irresponsible. Even if you don't agree with your parents' decision, don't raise your voice or insult them. In most cases, your parents have your best interest in mind. If the conversation gets to heated, ask your parents if you can resume talking about it at another time. When you and your parents are upset, neither side is going to listen. Actions are just as important as words. Avoid rolling your eyes, scowling, or shaking your head at your parents.

SUMMARY:
Ask your parents to talk, when the time is right. Explain to your parents what you want and why. Validate their argument. Make a compromise, if your parents are hesitant. Stay calm and respectful.