WEAK ERECTIONS AND ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
You’re not alone—a 2013 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that one in four patients seeking help for new-onset erectile dysfunction is under the age of 40—and you can fix ED without medication by tweaking your lifestyle
Note: If this is the first or second time you’ve had a failure to launch, don’t sweat it. But if your weak erections persist—and the reason for them isn’t obvious—it’s time to see a doctor, stat.
According to urologist Dr. Nimeh, “Erectile dysfunction can be the first sign of a serious problem, like heart disease.” Dr. Nimeh can help determine if there’s something bigger at play. Read more to find out what could be the problem.
COMMON CAUSES OF WEAK ERECTIONS
ARTERIAL DISEASE
The most common cause of weak erections is blockage of the blood vessels going to your penis. Dr. Nimeh can perform an ultrasound on the penile arteries to help figure out if that’s the problem. If it is, there are medical and surgical interventions to help you gain back your erections.
VENOUS LEAK
Another common cause of weak erections is venous leak. Your penis gets hard by getting extra blood from your body, but stays hard by trapping that blood and preventing it from leaving your penis.
Some young men get good erections but can’t sustain them because of a “venous leak” — the blood leaving the penis as soon as it comes in. Dr. Nimeh can figure out if that’s the case with a penile doppler ultrasound and if it is, the good news is that it’s a treatable condition.
YOUR TESTOSTERONE LEVELS ARE LOW
If it’s not just your erections that are taking a nose-dive but also your libido, you might want to have a doctor check on how your testosterone levels are doing. Low testosterone is more common than you might think, and it can be a result of aging, not sleeping enough, poor food choices, and weight gain.
There are plenty of natural ways to boost your testosterone, but the first step is to get some blood work done so you can work out a plan with your doctor. If natural ways of boosting your testosterone are not working, Dr. Nimeh might prescribe medications that boost your natural testosterone such as Clomiphene Citrate. Unlike taking Testosterone directly, Clomiphene does not interfere with your sperm count which can be important if you are young and still considering having a family.
OBESITY
Fat contains an enzyme called AROMATASE which converts TESTOSTERONE to ESTROGEN. Obesity is another all-too-common cause of weak erections and erectile dysfunction in younger men. It’s not just “being fat” that hurts your erections—it’s the side effects from obesity, like hormonal imbalance (fat produces estrogen), diabetes, high-blood pressure, and heart disease.
The answer here is simple: Lose weight and get in shape. If you have too much estrogen, Dr. Nimeh might prescribe Anastrazole, a medication that stops aromatase from converting testosterone to estrogen.
HAIR LOSS MEDICATIONS
The FDA warns FINASTERIDE may cause sexual side effects, including a loss of sexual desire, inability to ejaculate, and difficulty reaching orgasm; and a 2012 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests these sexual side effects could persist for years. What’s in your medicine cabinet could be affecting your erections. Other drugs to look out for include drugs that lower blood pressure, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants.
YOU’RE STRESSED OUT
Stress is the biggest erection killer in younger men, Dr. Nimeh says. If you can’t identify any major stress points—such as a new job or an unexpected dip in your emergency fund—take a look at your relationship. According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, “internal” stress (stress that originates from within a couple) is more likely to impede your sexual life than “external” stress.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
The first time you have a less-than-stellar erection can haunt your future thereafter. It’s called performance anxiety, and it’s a vicious cycle. If counseling or therapy isn’t in your budget, try working out. Blowing off some anxiety in the gym, clearing your mind with some yoga, and getting the jitters out with a run can all bring you to a good place, mentally and physically. Plus, you’re amplifying circulation, which is absolutely essential for a strong, healthy erection. Talking to your partner can also help. Awkward things happen and go wrong during sex—talk about it, laugh about it, and then move on.
DRINKING (ALCOHOL)
Heavy drinkers are no stranger to “whiskey dick,” nor can they expect to maintain a stellar sex life. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows everything down—including blood flow to your penis.
A 2007 study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that heavy drinking increases the risk of sexual dysfunction, including premature ejaculation, low sexual desire, and erectile dysfunction. The researchers studied 100 men with alcohol dependence and found 72 of them experienced one or more types of sexual dysfunction.