ED refers to the inability to construct or maintain an erection firm enough for sex. This is therefore not an uncommon issue but a rather shameful and irritating one for most men. Achieving an erection can be difficult, and if you’re experiencing it, you aren’t alone. Here are five reasons why you might not be getting an erection.
1. Underlying medical conditions
A medical condition is one of the most common reasons for a missed erection. Certain diseases, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, can interfere with the blood vessels and nerves that produce and sustain an erection. Other causes of ED include obesity, hormonal imbalances, and neurological issues.
A. Cardiovascular Disease:
A major reason for ED is cardiovascular disease (CVD), which reduces blood supply to the penis. CVD is made up of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis that can erode blood vessels and restrict circulation. Swollen blood vessels in the penis can make erections difficult to produce or sustain and result in ED.
B. Diabetes:
Another well-known ED-related illness is diabetes. Diabetes (types 1 and 2) can damage nerves and blood vessels, causing the penis to lose its blood supply and sensitivity. These nerves are damaged, which can lead to difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection and resulting in ED.
C. Hormonal Imbalances:
It can also result from hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone. Testosterone regulates a wide range of male sexual activities, from sexual character formation to sex drive and even the ability to build an erection. Low testosterone can lead to lower sex drive and ED.
D. Other Medical Conditions:
Other diseases that lead to ED include brain disorders, sleep disorders, and spinal cord injuries. These disorders can affect the nerves and blood vessels involved in the production and regulation of an erection, leading to ED.
2. Psychological factors
The relation between mental and sexual functioning is complex. Stress, anxiety and depression all play major roles in a man’s capacity to have and maintain an erection. Such conditions can constitute a form of psychological wall that disrupts the sensitivity and intensity of sexual encounter.
Stress and Anxiety
A work, romantic or financial stress can have a detrimental effect on your psychological state. In stressful circumstances, the body automatically produces an increased alertness by diverting blood flow to the vital parts of the body and away from the non-vital parts, such as those undergoing sexual arousal. It joins forces with anxiety, particularly performance anxiety, to create a vicious circle. Men start to fear the lack of sexual function; anxiety breeds even more anxiety and leads to further loss of sexual functioning.
Depression
Depression is another psychologically significant contributor to ED. Depression symptoms such as a lack of energy, lack of activity, and despair can carry over to the bedroom. Depressed libido is one of the most common signs of depression, making it not only harder to get an erection, but also to desire sex in general.
Performance Anxiety
Of interest to younger men is performance anxiety, in which the threat of disappointing a partner is incredibly stressful and causes erectile dysfunction. Unlike physiological shifts related to ageing, the underlying problem with young men experiencing ED is their fear of sexual performance. This can result in a feedback loop: stress may keep you from relaxing and waking up, which in turn will continue to feed the dysfunction.
3. Lifestyle choices
The way you live can affect whether you get an erection or not. Getting into a bad habit, drinking too much and taking drugs can all contribute to erectile dysfunction. These medications can alter the flow of blood to the penis, rendering it impossible to get an erection. A lack of exercise and eating the wrong foods, too, can make you obese and cause other issues associated with ED.
4. Medications
Some medications are prone to erectile dysfunction as well. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, and blood pressure drugs. If you’re suffering from ED and taking any of these drugs, it’s important to talk to your doctor about alternatives.
A. Antihypertensives:
High blood pressure medications, including diuretics, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors, may contribute to ED. These drugs can also reduce blood supply to the penis by clogging blood vessels, making it difficult to get or sustain an erection.
B. Antidepressants:
ED is also a risk factor for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are common antidepressants. SSRIs can affect the brain’s levels of serotonin and impair the body’s natural sexual function, leading to ED.
C. Antipsychotics:
Antipsychotic medications can also trigger ED by altering the hormone and nervous system. These drugs reduce testosterone and mess with the nerve impulses required for an erection.
D. Other Medications:
Other drugs that can be associated with ED include antiandrogens (a medication used to treat prostate cancer) and drugs used to treat BPH. These drugs decrease testosterone and alter the body’s own natural sexual function, resulting in ED.
5. Age
When it comes to sexual function, ageing could lead to men losing it. It’s a part of life and an estimated 40 per cent of men over the age of 40 experience some level of erectile dysfunction. As men age, some men might have conditions that exacerbate ED and make it difficult to get an erection.
What happens if you’re not getting an erection? The good news is, that ED is generally curable. Treatment begins with a visit to your doctor who can diagnose the disease and treat the problem. Your physician might even recommend you quit smoking, drink less, and exercise more.
Other methods of improving your sexual function include:
1. From your partner: Talking to your partner removes the performance anxiety that might contribute to the issue and makes the sexual relationship much more enjoyable.
2. Therapy: If mental factors are identified as contributing to ED, therapy will help to eliminate them.
3. Alternative treatments: Acupuncture, herbal supplements, and other complementary therapies have also been effective for erectile dysfunction, though again it’s recommended that people seek the advice of a medical expert before trying any alternative treatment.
4. ED medications: The most common medications for ED are the following: Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. They act by widening the blood vessels and facilitating blood supply to the penis which in turn facilitates erection.
Conclusion:
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a number of factors: disease, mental health, lifestyle, medication, and age. If you are having trouble getting an erection, consult your doctor to determine the cause and proceed accordingly. By taking care of it, ED will not ruin your sexual joy and confidence.
