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If you keep losing an erection during sex, you are not alone. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common and occurs for a wide variety of reasons, from psychological to physical
If you keep losing an erection during sex, you are not alone. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common and occurs for a wide variety of reasons, from psychological to physical.
Erection problems often resolve on their own. However, if you struggle to get or maintain an erection more than 25% of the time, you should consult your doctor.
13 reasons why you may keep losing an erection
- Smoking: Chemicals in cigarettes can cause damage to penis blood vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow. This can make maintaining an erection more difficult.
- Alcohol: Alcohol reduces blood flow to the genitals. Drinking right before sex can increase the likelihood of losing an erection.
- Illicit drugs: Drug use can impair your ability to maintain an erection while under the influence.
- Medications: Medications used to treat certain conditions can have side effects that affect your erections. These include antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and antipsychotics.
- Obesity: Being overweight can reduce blood flow and restrict your ability to maintain an erection.
- Chronic diseases: Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cerebrovascular disorders can increase your risk of erectile dysfunction.
- Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal imbalances such as low testosterone levels can cause erection problems.
- Premature ejaculation: If you suffer from erectile disorders such as premature ejaculation, this will obviously impact your ability to sustain an erection.
- Stress: Stress or depression can hinder you from being aroused or staying hard.
- Performance anxiety: If you are anxious about your sexual performance, it can make it more difficult to maintain an erection.
- Aging: Erections become less consistent as you age.
- Cycling: Cycling can put too much pressure on the area around your penis and lead to erection problems.
- Trauma: Trauma, surgery to reproductive organs, or nerve damage can all cause erection problems.
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
- General: Treatment of underlying health conditions (high cholesterol, diabetes management, and high blood pressure) along with lifestyle changes such as weight loss may help treat ED.
- Counseling: Doctors may recommend counseling, especially if stress, anxiety, and marital conflict are contributing to the problem.
- Medications: There are different drugs available in two different doses. Before increasing your dose or changing medications, your urologist will encourage you to try different doses of each prescription.
- Hormone treatment: This may be effective if your erection problems are due to low testosterone levels.
- Self-injection therapy: This treatment involves injecting a medication into the side of the penis every time you want an erection. The injection relaxes the muscle, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. Injection therapy should be administered no more than 1 times a week and no more than once every 24 hours.
- Vacuum erection assistance devices: This involves the use of devices to obtain and maintain an erection. The penis is placed inside a cylinder with a small pump attached to the other end. The pump creates a vacuum, which draws blood into the penis, resulting in an erection. A constriction ring is then placed around the base of the penis to capture the blood and maintain the erection.
- Penile implants: This procedure involves surgically implanting two rods, one on each side of the penis. They can be semi rigid or inflatable.
Do male enhancement pills work?
Male enhancement pills are intended to boost blood flow to the penis. However, many of the claims made by manufacturers are not supported by scientific evidence.
The FDA has approved the following drugs for erection and ejaculation problems:
- VIAGRA® (sildenafil)
- Adcirca and Cialis (tadalafil)
- Levitra and Staxyn (vardenafil)
- Stendra (avanafil)
- Priligy (dapoxetine)
These medications may cause side effects such as:
- Headache
- Facial blushing
- Upset stomach
- Mild and temporary visual deficits
However, these drugs are not suitable for everyone, especially for men who have cardiac problems, low blood pressure, or on nitrate medications. Consult your doctor before using any drugs.
