Every man desires to perform well in bed to satisfy their partner. Hence, it is not a surprise that when he fails to get hard, his primary concern is that he might be suffering from ED (erectile dysfunction).
While ED is commonly found among older men, it is, however, becoming increasingly common among young men too. However, ED is not the only reason for not getting hard or holding an erection. There are other factors, such as environmental and psychological reasons, that could have caused the inability to get or maintain an erection.
1. Masturbation
When a guy orgasms, a hormone called prolactin is released. As a result, men are not able to maintain an erection after ejaculating, also known as the refractory period. If one masturbates before sexual intercourse, the spike in prolactin is the primary reason for the inability to get an erection.
The only way to get hard is to wait for the refractory period to pass. An average refractory period can vary from a couple of minutes to even days, with age playing a part. Basically, the older you get, the longer your refractory period.
2. Medication
Certain medications may inhibit your ability to get or maintain an erection. High blood pressure medication, such as diuretics and beta-blockers, interferes with your blood vessel walls and sympathetic nervous system, reducing blood flow to your penis.
Antidepressants, such as serotonin uptake inhibitors like Lexapro and Prozak, can also reduce your libido and testosterone levels.
3. Fatigue and stress
Stress is among the top inhibitors to having a healthy sex life. Too much workload and long work hours are some of the reasons for having a reduced sex life. In addition, fatigue causes all our energy to be redirected to fundamental body functions, and the penis is often the least priority.
With the combination of fatigue and stress, your body will experience a rise in cortisol levels, limiting the effect of testosterone, which automatically affects your ability to get hard.
4. A new partner
Having a new partner can be both terrifying and exhilarating. However, it can cause stress, too, especially if you create pressure to outdo your partner’s previous relationship, such as trying to last longer during sexual intercourse.
Insecurity, perhaps due to the innate fear that your penis may not be comparable in size, could also lead to a psychological block. Additionally, your previous sexual experiences that may not be as memorable could also inhibit your sexual performance with your new partner.
5. Overconsumption of alcohol
Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to the inhibition of maintaining an erection. While a little alcohol can help to ease the tension between you and your partner, too much can instead be a disadvantage.
Overconsumption of alcohol can decrease the amount of blood flowing to your penis, acting as a depressant to your central nervous system. This can cause difficulty in getting it up. It is highly recommended that a maximum of two drinks a day is sufficient.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing some moments of not being able to get hard or maintain an erection, do not panic at first thought. Perhaps you might be feeling tired or stressed or have just taken some medication. In that case, try to work on the mentioned issues to see if anything changes.
However, should your inability to get an erection stay the same, then be sure to seek professional help as early as possible. Remember, ED is curable. Elyon Clinic is a men’s health clinic in Singapore that treats a variety of men-related conditions, including ED. Take charge of your sexual health today. Contact us to find out more!