Remember, "You are what you eat." A good diet equals a good sexual health. If you want to keep up with your sexual urges, here are very simple do's and don'ts:

"DOs" - Here's a list of the ideal foods for better sexual functioning:

"DON'Ts" - Here are foods you better avoid:

Too much alcohol and caffeine - These lead to narrowed blood vessels and ruins circulation which is essential for proper sexual functioning.

Nicotine (from cigarette smoking) - Smoking is known to lower sperm count.

Certain medications (do consult your doctor) tend to hinder sexual performance.

Avoid sugar, food additives, preservatives and processed food. Take chocolate, soft drinks, candy, coffee, frozen dinners, doughnuts, pastries in moderation. Avoid bingeing on foods that you know are bad for your health.

Nutritional solutions for sexual problems:

Premature Ejaculation
Recent studies reported that high blood histamine levels are related to premature ejaculation. Calcium and Methionine (an amino acid) lower histamine levels in the blood.

Impotence
Impotence has often been related to deficiencies in minerals like Magnesium or Zinc. Zinc is vital to the male reproductive system; it is needed to produce testosterone and for the prostate gland to function well.

L-arginine, the foundation of Nitric oxide, is recommended for better blood flow to the penis to have better erections. This amino acid is available in protein rich foods such as chicken, beef, and turkey.

NOTE: Foods that contain high levels of L-arginine are NOT recommended for someone who suffers from Herpes virus, as these foods have been shown to speed up outbreaks of Herpes.

Fitness

Everyone wants to be fit. We have tons of excuses to delay and add fitness to tomorrow's agenda, but we end up gaining weight and simply living in denial. You have to summon your courage to fight what's lurking in the shadows, and remove that mental block and add fitness into your daily plans. Once you start, you'll get used to it, and your body will show the effects.

Self-esteem and confidence is included in the fitness package. You'll see that it makes you more attractive to the other sex, as well. Men between the ages of 30 and 50 usually gain one pound every year, and where does it go? Straight to the waist! Joking about your sign of prosperity is not going to make you look good. A general aerobics workout can help keep your bulging waistline tucked out of sight. Start with a 20-30 minute workout three times a week, and work on it gradually up to 30-40 minutes 4 to 6 days a week.

Some simple, healthy and effective tips for fitness:

NOTE: Consult your physician before beginning a fitness plan. Do activities that you would ENJOY

Join a fitness center ONLY if you CAN dedicate at least 3 days every week for it.

Contraception

Making love is a magnificent experience for both partners, but only if done properly. But when you think of unwanted pregnancy, both you and your partner might be worried. It is smart if you both consider the different types of birth control available. You must choose a method that will protect both of you. Never think that contraception is just your partner's problem.

Common methods of Contraception

Abstinence: Abstinence is the decision to refrain from having coitus. This does not mean to stop from all other sexual activities, only vaginal intercourse.

Condoms (for men): A condom pertains to a thin rubber which suits perfectly over the erect penis of the mail just before the coitus. The male undergoes ejaculation into the condom, therefore prohibiting sperm from going inside the vagina.

Female Condoms: A female condom contains only one end open and the ring at the closed end is to make the placing more comfortable and to guarantee that the condom does not get out of place during coitus. The male undergoes ejaculation into the condom, therefore prohibiting sperm from going inside the vagina.

Ovulation method: The Cervical Mucous produced near ovulation (fertility sign) is important for the travel of the sperm and nourishment and only happens for a week or so every cycle. Outside this fertile duration the person can have coitus without delays and very minimal chances of pregnancy.

Birth Control Pill: These drugs function to induce changes in the uterus making the implantation of an egg virtually impossible and also making it hard for sperms to transfer in the female reproductive system.

The Morning-After Pill: This is a high-dose mixture of the female hormones estrogen and progestin. This type of contraception should only be utilized in an emergency situation for females who have had unsafe coitus or when the selected contraceptive method did not function well.

Diaphragm and Cervical Cap: The diaphragm (a soft rubber dome) and Cervical Cap (thimble-shaped latex cap) are used in the same way, by placing it over the cervix. Spermicidal jelly or cream is held in both against the cervix. This destroys sperms as they travel toward the uterus.

Intrauterine Device - IUD: This is a small T-shaped device, with a string at the base of the T, implanted in the uterine cavity. A copper IUD can remain useable up to 10 years.

Progestin Implant: This implant system is made up of small capsules made of plastic tubing, which contain a synthetic Progestin. It thickens the cervical mucous and changes the endometrium lining of the uterus. These are useful up to five years.

Vaginal Spermicides: A spermicide is a chemical which destroys sperms.

The Shot: Injectable contraceptives of the hormones estrogen and progestin hinder ovulation in the same way as Progestin implants.

Vasectomy: This is the surgery done for male sterilization. It stops sperms from moving from the testes to the penis.

Withdrawal: The man withdraws his penis before he ejaculates. If the man does not do this carefully and in time, this method will be a failure.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are, apart from unwanted pregnancies, another major concern for sexually active adults. Also known as sexually transmitted infections (STI,) venereal diseases (VD,) or social diseases, these diseases have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual contact, vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and/or anal sex.

This is especially true when adults participate in sexual activities with new partners. It is absolutely crucial to use some form of protection that will help minimize the likelihood of contracting an STD. If you are exhibiting any symptoms that are similar to what we will describe later on in this section, or if you believe you might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, please see a physician immediately. Your physician will be able to diagnose your condition, give you accurate information, and prescribe the correct medication for your particular health problem.

The United States has the highest rates of STDs in the developed world. An estimated 15.3 million new cases of STDs are reported each year in the US alone. In comparison with men, women suffer more frequent and more severe complications from STDs.

STDs and their symptoms:

If you develop symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it is important to be evaluated by a health professional soon after your symptoms start.

Symptoms of an STD include:

Painful urination is very often the first symptom anyone with STD may encounter, and in most cases, it may also be the only one to manifest.

Many STD symptoms tend to go away or change in a while, but this does not mean that the disease has gone away as well. A delay in being diagnosed by a physician may lead to more serious complications.

If you suspect you may have symptoms because of STD, it is not advisable to have sexual relations with another until you have been properly diagnosed, treated and declared free of the disease. This will reduce the possibility of infecting your sexual partner.