Tag: Erectile Dysfunction

All the latest breaking news on Erectile Dysfunction. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Erectile Dysfunction.

DILEMMA | I’m 53 and I’m finding it hard to get it up

Dear Doctor

Finding it hard to get an erection not sure if this is normal for my age (53) and is affecting how I feel when having sex.

What can I do to make sure I can get hard and stay hard?

John

Dr Nitin Shori is Medical Director of the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service answers:

Hi John,

Let me first reassure that you are not alone in suffering in this way and that help is available. It’s estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 have some form of erectile dysfunction.

It’s often referred to as impotence and it is a very common, treatable condition.

To understand the reasons for erectile dysfunction, it’s important to know how an erection occurs. When aroused, your brain sends signals to the blood vessels in your penis, relaxing the arteries and allowing blood to flow in. The veins then close to trap the blood in your penis, causing it to expand and harden.

Anything that interferes with this process can lead to erectile dysfunction. Causes of the condition can be broken down into two categories: physical and psychological.

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction can include low testosterone and diabetes as well as prostate problems.

Psychological factors can include stress or being unhappy, anxiety or depression. If psychological problems are interfering with your ability to get or maintain an erection, a psychotherapist specialising in sexual difficulties may also be able to help you.

A consultation with your own GP or the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service will establish whether you could be prescribed one of a range of effective erectile dysfunction treatments that are available on prescription.

They all work in slightly different ways to significantly improve a man’s ability to obtain a hard erect penis suitable for sexual activity.

The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Do you have a sexual or emotional question for our experts? Click here

This article was first published September 2017 and has been updated

14th September 2020
Can exercise help with erection problems?

Seems like a valid question right? We posted an article recently about the exercises that can help you to last longer in bed (aka Sexercises), but probably the most important thing to an all-nighter is the ability of your penis to maintain its erection for several hours.

Now without giggling, let’s look at some of the research and theories that suggest that a stallion-strength boner could be yours with just a little bit of exercise worked into your weekly routine.

Hopping on the treadmill isn’t likely to have the same effect on your johnson as popping a viagra. However, it’s often helpful in preventing many types of erectile dysfunction (ED) from developing. And more than that, the strength of a man’s erection-his hardness-is the true barometer of his overall health.

1. Improve circulation = improve erections

So according to the science, when a man becomes aroused, the brain sends signals to your junk that leads to the relaxation of smooth muscles with blood vessel walls in the penis. This allows for increased blood inflow inside the erectile tissues of the penis. Blood then fills two “inflatable” chambers inside the shaft known as corpora cavernosa. And there you have it, instant boner.

So it stands to reason that better circulation leads to a stronger and even larger erect penis (in terms of length and girth). This is why when men have heart problems and poor circulation they tend to suffer from ED as well.

Cardio, and exercise in general, causes the blood vessels to dilate and capillaries to open so that blood can flow more effectively, moving to where it needs to be, including your genitals.

They’ll even have improved circulation even when your body is at rest. Fun side-note: the increased blood flow to the skin brings with it the extra benefit of greater sensitivity.

Win-win!

2. Psychological health

Free-Photos / Pixabay

Exercise is well documented at elevating your mood. The release of endorphins during exercise is often connected with an improvement in a sense of wellbeing, often increasing your libido as well as a result.

Tackling some of the underlying issues such as low self-esteem and body image can help prevent forms of sexual dysfunction developing.

3. NEVER skip leg day

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

You’ll have heard that you should never skip leg day. As some of the biggest muscles in your body, training your legs burns calories, releases hormones to help your other muscles grow, and can help relax and expand blood vessels in the penis contributing to fuller and harder erections… yup.

4. Boost your Testosterone

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Testosterone has an important role in both central and peripheral contributors to an erection. Testosterone and Growth Hormone (GH) release is proportional to the amount of muscle tissue working; therefore boost your testosterone by making sure you don’t neglect those large leg and back muscles.

Cortisol (the ‘stress’ hormone) also has a suppressive effect on testosterone and the effect is more pronounced at night. Cortisol increases if we overtrain (spend more than 90 minutes training hard in the gym) and when we perform steady state cardio (like 10k running and long distance cycling). Therefore, keep your workouts on the shorter, more intense side of the scale (even two 30 minute sessions a day will boost GH and testosterone more than a single 60-90 minute session) and opt for HIIT and interval training instead of the traditional steady state cardio.

Minimising stress via meditation, relaxation and improving sleep quality and length, will also have a significant impact on your testosterone and therefore boner levels.

Get help with your exercise

If you need help with you exercise we can help; getting erections, however, is still your responsibility.

Speak to one of our gay personal trainers about devising a personalised fitness and nutrition program to help you “firm up”.

This article was brought you by our partner, GayFitnessUK.com and first published in Feb 2014.

3rd September 2020
Is it normal for bottoms to lose their erections during sex?

Did you know, it’s not that uncommon for guys to lose their boners while they’re bottoming? It could be the horniest thing in the world, but sometimes with all the will in the world, a hard dick can be as elusive as a coherent Donald Trump press conference.

A cock that won’t play along can cause frustration both for the bottom and top. For the guy being penetrated a flaccid peen can be a cause for concern, for the top – there’s always the worry that their partner isn’t having a good time.

Rest assured, a flaccid penis while being fucked is that not uncommon for the bottom, and tops – it doesn’t necessarily mean your partner is having a bad time.

So why does it happen?

Photo by Andreea Ch on Pexels.com

So why do some bottoms lose their erection during sex?

Well, no one quite knows and it might not be a one answer fits all scenario. Some guys lose their erections because of alcohol, chems or even sniffing poppers. Some can lose it because they’re concentrating on other things, like relaxing or tensing – depending on what’s happening down there, some may lose their erections because of medical issues, like prostate cancer recovery, or certain types of doctor-prescribed medications.

The key is not to freak out about it.

Keep an eye on the situation and get to know your body and how it reacts.

However, if you think your erection issues might be caused by something else, it’s always worth reaching out and having a chat with your doctor.

Remember not every sexual encounter has to have a solid hard erection in order for it to be a successful sexual encounter. Nor does it have to end with everyone climaxing.

If you’re having fun and both having a good time and there’s no pain (outside of the normal feelings of anal sex) then crack on.

Want to know some tricks on how to reduce discomfort while being fucked? Click here.

24th July 2020
This guy says he finds it hard to top, asks internet for inspo

One guy recently admitted on Reddit, that he liked the idea of topping but after his first attempt during a hook up his dick wasn’t playing ball and it just wouldn’t “stay in his ass”.

He said that it wasn’t an enjoyable experience for him or his hook up, so he turned to the Internet on advice on how to stay hard during sex.

The mood passed?

User inlarry said that during a hook up a lot of guys “psyched themselves out” before an encounter, only to find that mood has passed. Suggesting that the issue is probably 90 per cent more mental than physical.

Erection Dysfunction

Then there was the suggestion about ED (erectile dysfunction) by whatthefuckpare, who added, “Some people maintain an erection for jacking off just fine but have mental barriers against being able to penetrate well”.

There is loads of information about ED here. If you’re very concerned you should book an appointment with your doctor.

And ED can affect any penis at any age.

User jjaekkak said, “Common misconception and unnecessary stigma! No shame in the game. Some people need glasses. Some people have ADD. Some people’s erections need some help. None of it makes anyone any less human/worthy/sexy.”

Cockrings?

Of course, there are some devices that can help you stay erect, once you’ve managed to get it up. A cockring is one such tool. It works by slowing down the rate at which the blood leaves the penis – while still allowing blood to flood into your member – meaning that you’ll most likely stay hard and larger for longer. Check out the cockring pictured above her e.

Attraction

What if the person you’ve hooked up with doesn’t do it for you in the flesh? The trouble with apps like Grindr is that you can fall for the guy in a picture rather than his reality – and that’s okay. Attraction is a totally subjective thing.

Make a polite excuse or be totally honest (still polite) and leave.

It’s hard being at the top

Especially the first time you top. There’s a lot of stress and performance anxiety for top and a lot of that comes from the porn we consume. Porn’s tops tend to be large, vigorous and have the stamina of a mountain goat. Most guys just aren’t that way. So try not to compare. Be in the moment.

Maybe an issue with your condom size.

One guy suggested trying a larger size condom. He found that he was losing his erection and when he spoke to a health care professional about it, they suggested trying a larger sized condom, “Game changer regular sized condoms were cutting the blood supply from my above regular dick! Also the best day of my life… Try the big condoms … Validation!”

Maybe you’re a side

Maybe, just maybe, you’re not into anal. There are guys who much prefer to do everything else but the butt stuff – many call themselves, “sides“.

Change positions

CREDIT: © dnf style| Depositphotos

Some positions work, some don’t. Try out different positions and see which one works for you.

Sobering Up

Another erection killer is drugs and alcohol. Brewer droop is a thing. Also, it’s worth noting it’s not just non-prescription drugs that can affect your ability to perform, prescribed meds can also have an effect. Speaking to THEGAYUK, Dr Nitin Shori said, “It’s important that you treat your depression and tackle the underlying factors that might be causing it.

“If you speak to your GP they may be able to change your medication to one that has less of an effect on your libido or consider whether your depression itself is the cause”.

25th June 2020
This one thing you do every morning could stop erectile dysfunction

Apparently your cup of coffee in the morning could help keep you alert, in more ways than one.

CREDIT: Pixabay

A few years ago researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, USA, found that men over the age of 20 who consumed the caffeine equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day were less likely to report erectile dysfunction.

The co-author of the study, Dr Run Wang said, that caffeine had properties “similar to ED drugs like Viagra”.

However, it was noted that wouldn’t fix erection problems with men who have diabetes.

So why?

Well according to Dr Wang, caffeine triggers “a series of effects that cause the arteries in your penis to relax” which means that the blood flow to your penis increases – which is Dr Wang notes is “key to a strong erection”.

So start your morning with a glorious cup of coffee.

Of course if you are concerned with the way in which your penis does (or doesn’t work) book an appointment with your GP!

28th January 2020
DILEMMA | Is my depression medication stopping me from getting hard?

Can medication affect your ability to get hard and stay hard? Dr Nitin Shori answers your question.

Dear TGUK,

I’m in my 30s and I’ve been having trouble getting it up. I’m currently on medication for depression so I’m wondering if that is what is causing my ability to get hard. I don’t want to come off the depression meds, but my failure at not being able to keep an erection is causing a few issues in the bedroom.

Paul

Dear Paul,

A low sex drive and inability to maintain an erection can be a side effect of many antidepressants. However, depression itself can also cause these same problems.

It’s important that you treat your depression and tackle the underlying factors that might be causing it. If you speak to your GP they may be able to change your medication to one that has less of an affect on your libido or consider whether your depression itself is the cause.

There are also other factors that can affect your sex drive and it may be worth considering them.

Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, is a very common condition, particularly among older men.

Stress, anxiety, fatigue and certain health conditions are also common factors in causing impotence, while excessive drug or alcohol miss-use can also affect sexual performance.

Another factor could be age. Testosterone levels naturally start to fall for most men from the age of about 30 or 40.

PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

While many automatically associate testosterone with sexual performance, this powerful hormone has a much wider influence and can often impact on energy levels and motivation, as well as loss of strength and muscle mass.

If the above is ringing bells you can test for testosterone and consider gels or supplements which will boost your levels. You can get testosterone testing kits and prescriptions online if you’re pressed for time to see your doctor and want to rule this out.

There’s also a range of products that can help with erectile dysfunction available online if you want to be discreet, including Viagra.

Given your circumstances, you should discuss your antidepressant medication with your GP before you start exploring other potential causes of impotence.

Have you got a dilemma? Click here to let us know about your dilemma

26th January 2019
THE UNDATEABLE GAY | That time I lost the erection

I seem to be having a lot of flashbacks lately.

It certainly makes me feel like I’ve had an extremely action-packed life when it comes to matters of the heart and the bedroom. My friends always tell me my antics make for wonderful dinner party stories. I’m glad I keep them and their guests entertained.

Anyway, as per usual I’m digressing and not getting to my point. I’m taking you back to 2008. A whole decade ago. When I was mid-20s, rather than the scary mid-30s I have now reached. It was a time when The Bill was still on the box. Oh, how I love The Bill.

Anyone who knows me will know what an ubër fan of The Bill I was and still am. Never missed an episode. And now I have the whole series in my DVD collection. And I even watch it every day now it is being repeated on the Drama channel. Maybe I shouldn’t admit to this. It may make me even more Undateable but sod it, I’m getting too old to care what people think.

Such a fan was I, that my quote of the 90s and the 00s was, “Next time on the Bill.” I used to say it at every opportunity I got. If a friend announced a pregnancy or whatever, I’d do my mock shocked face and scream, “Next time on the Bill!” The only time I don’t think it was appreciated was when my friend’s nan had just died. Oh well, I was just trying to lighten the mood.

So one night, almost a decade ago, we were out celebrating a friend’s birthday in Reflex. God, that takes me back. Reflex in Kingston. R.I.P. What a shame it no longer exists. Too many outer London gay venues are closing for my liking.

So here we were in the dearly departed Reflex and this man approached me. He wasn’t exactly the prettiest grape in the bunch but my beer goggles were well and truly attached to my old pork pies by this point.

I hadn’t had a drunken snog in ages and he supplied some lip servicing. I heard Tullene, you know her, the one I went to India with, I heard her shout: “NEXT TIME ON THE BILL” as our lips locked. I burst out laughing in the poor boy’s mouth.

As he questioned our bizarre behaviour, which actually most people do when it comes to Tullene and I, he asked what the hell we were going on about. I enthusiastically filled him in on my love story with The Bill, at which point he whipped out his warrant card.

Fuck a duck, he was only a real-life police officer. I was as hard as a truncheon.

Before you could say, “Next time on the Bill”, I was back at the police officer’s house. He had suddenly become a lot more attractive. I couldn’t believe I was about to have sexual relations with a real police officer.

I opened his wardrobe to check there was a uniform inside. All the episodes of The Bill I had watched had clearly given me a suspicious mind.

We got on the bed and as we got our clothes off, my truncheon seemed to lose its life. It went down like a popped balloon. The first time in my whole life, I had lost my erection. The sheer embarrassment.

To this day, I blame it on karma. Never should you be so fickle and shag a man based on their job. Please make sure you fancy them. I picked up my clothes and did a runner. NEXT TIME ON THE BILL…

18th March 2018
Guys, here’s why you might be finding it hard to get hard

When a reader confided that he can’t stay hard, we decided to have a look at some of the reasons why your erection might be elusive.

Last year Jeff, asked THEGAYUK why he kept on losing his erections. There are many reasons from stresses to tiredness, medical to emotional. There are many reasons. So here’s what we found out.

First of all, don’t give yourself a hard time about not being able to get a hard-on. It happens to the best of us at the worst of times – and stressing about it can actually make the situation worse. So take a moment and breathe.

It sounds as though you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). Lots of things can cause ED; from being too stressed out at work to money worries. Even lifestyle choices such as too much alcohol or drug taking can hinder a strong erection.

The problem might also be prescribed medication. For instance, some depression medications say that ED is a potential side effect. You can read more about that here. You might want to check and see if any side effects listed by the meds include ED. Do not come off any prescribed meds with out talking to your GP first.

There are a variety of things you can do to try to get your little Mr back up and working again, but first of all, see whether you can get an erection when you’re by yourself – or during your sleep.

Take the erection test

There’s a very simple test to see whether you get erections during your sleep. One of the tests is the famous stamp test. If you can still get a row of stamps that are joined by a perforated edge you can perform this in the comfort of your own home.

Before you go to bed put a row of four or five joined stamps around the shaft of your flaccid penis and seal by moistening the two ends together. If any of the perforations between the stamps is broken in the morning you’ll know that you are getting nocturnal erections, because your enlarged penis will naturally break the perforations between the stamps. This test can help you rule out a more serious erectile dysfunction because you know that you can physically have an erection.

If this is the case take a look at external factors such as your workload or your alcohol consumption. As frustrated as you might be, you just might need to take your time with this.

If you don’t break the perforations, then you might consider getting an appointment with your GP, who should be able to help you find a medical solution.

There are a number of other at home tests you can do like the Rigiscan and The Penile Plethysmograph.

Meds?

You could try Viagra or a herbal supplement available in Holland and Barratt called Horny Goatweed. You should definitely seek the advice from your doctor if you’re planning to try out medications.

Condoms Problems

If your problem is being caused by wearing condoms then you’ll be able to find a wide variety now that are different shapes, sizes and yes, there’s even a musical one. Don’t let your Jonny be a problem for your Johnson.

You might not need a full erection to have full on sex

It’s important not to let this ruin your sex life – there are many options available to you – and you can even have sex without having a full erection or taking the pressure off yourself by focusing on your partner rather than your erection.

Communication

Talking your issues over with your partner may also help as well. It’s important to keep communication open between partners if you’re going through a tough time.

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Got a problem you’d like advice on? Click here to get ask your question.

22nd January 2018
Want a Stronger Penis? Then drink more Coffee

Your daily cup of Joe could keep you up in more ways than one. A 2015 study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests that caffeine could reduce your likelihood of having erectile dysfunction (ED)

Researchers found that guys over the age of 20 who consumed the caffeine equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day were less likely to report ED issues than men who steered clear of the stimulant.

The connection was strongest in overweight guys, says study author David Lopez, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., but he plans to dive further into how the caffeine/ED link can affect different weight groups.

Co-author Dr Run Wang added,

“Caffeine has properties similar to ED drugs like Viagra. The stimulant triggers a series of effects that cause the arteries in your penis to relax and your blood flow to increase—both keys to a strong erection”.

5th May 2017
7 fruits for a stronger penis

If you’re looking for natural ways to give yourself a powerful boner you may not need to look further than your kitchen’s fruit bowl.

Fruit is cheap. Cheaper than meds and far healthier for your body. Getting your five or ten portions of fruit and veg is tough, but knowing that some of these natural beauts are actually penis builders we’re suddenly interested!

Watermelon

Watermelon is packed with Vitamin C – and Vitamin C can improve your sperm count but it’s also packed with phytonutrients lycopene, beta-carotene, and, the big one, citrulline. Citrulline is particularly good at getting your blood vessels to relax, so could be fantastic for erectile dysfunction.

Strawberries

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin B, which has been linked to high sperm counts in men. Go one step further and coat them in chocolate, as it is full of libido-boosting methylxanthines! (Why do you think it’s such a popular Valentine’s Day gift?!)

Figs

These small fruits pack some big benefits. They are bursting with calcium, iron, potassium, and more of that stimulating zinc. They are also packed with fibre, which boosts heart health and satisfies hunger without adding to your waistline. Check out our Figgy Lavender Pudding recipe.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains the enzyme Bromelain, which can improve libido in men, plus if you eat plenty of this tropical fruit it will also make your climax taste better too! Find out what else can make your man mayo taste better.

Pomegranate

A study from the University of California found that one glass of Pomegranate juice every day could help manage erectile dysfunction. Nearly 50 per cent of those tested reported improvements with their erections.

Banana

Bananas are packed with potassium, great for heart and circulation + a great way to manage and control your blood pressure naturally.

Blueberries

THEGAYUK’s food editor Jordan Lohan calls blueberries nature’s very own little blue bill. He says, “literally little blue “pills”! Lowering cholesterol improving blood flow & circulation, leading to harder erections”. Check out Jordan’s ultimate Romance Rescue Remedy recipe.

3rd March 2017
ERECTION PROBLEMS | 10 things that destroy your erection
The mind may be willing but the equipment is taking some vacay,

At some point, most guys will suffer from erection problems (it even has a term erectile disfunction) and guys search the web high and low for advice on how to fix it but sometimes the penis just doesn’t want to play ball.

Well, there could be some lifestyle factors that are stopping you from getting a hard-on. Getting hard is all about blood flow, so if your erection problem is a physiological issue it could be something to do with your blood pressure. Time to see the doctor! However, there are loads of psychological issues that could affect your libido too. Read on to find out what things are a real erection killer.
Drinking

You could be getting drinkers droop. Although alcohol can seemingly put you in the mood for some loving. Excessive drinking will affect your ability to get an erection and could stop you from finishing up too. So if you want a bigger boner then you’re going to have put down that pint.

Medication

Some prescribed meds like anti-depressants are known to cause impotence. Blood pressure pills and some allergy medications have also been linked to erectile problems. ED. If you suspect that you’ve been prescribed meds that are affecting your boner then get back in touch with your doc. Ask to try some different drugs. Illicit drugs will also affect your ability to have sex.

Tired

Sometimes you’re just too dog tired to perform. Get some ZZZs and try again in the morning when you’re more refreshed. However, there are a number of sleep disorders that could be affecting the quality of the sleep you’re getting. Issues such as sleep apnea or insomnia are problems that will drastically affect the quality of your rest. See your GP if you’re concerned. If you don’t have a GP, use the NHS website to find one.

Work Stress

Getting turned on whether you’ve got a hundred things on your mind is a near impossibility. Your inability to get hard might be because of your work stress, financial woes or even family issues. Working out, yoga, mindfulness and breathing exercises are brilliant ways to reduce your stress load. When your mental problems are being dealt with, so you are your erection problems. It’s all linked.

Getting fat

CREDIT: ©-tish1-Depositphotos

Yep, an expanding waistline is really unhelpful to your manhood. Obese guys have lower levels of testosterone which plays havoc with your sexual prowess. Being overweight is also linked to blood pressure issues and arteries hardening, which can lead to a reduction in the blood flow to your penis. Also, have you heard of the FUPA (Fat Upper Pubic Area)? Wondering if your penis is getting smaller with age… this might be the reason.

Make sure you keep within your healthy BMI for a body that’s in perfect working order.

Smoking

We all know it’s bad for you… it’s also bad for your penis and can cause havoc giving you erection problems. It damages the blood vessels which inhibits the blood flow. Worryingly smoking can also shrink your dick too. So quit today.

Getting enough Vitamin D?

If you’re not getting enough sunshine your body won’t be creating Vitamin D which can cause your testosterone levels to plummet and testosterone is very important in maintaining a healthy boner and ridding your life of erection problems. Without a healthy level of testosterone, you’re effectively killing off your love mood. Getting just 15 minutes of sunlight on your skin is all you need to keep your Vit D levels up.

Are your teeth clean?

Men were three times more likely to have ED if they had gum disease a Turkish study found. The British Dental Health Foundation found that 4 out of five guys who had “severe ED” also had gum disease. This is caused by the bacteria from your diseased gums seeping into your bloodstream which damages your blood vessels.

Stop your mid-day fumbles?

Are you getting off during the day? Maybe you need to get a check on that and save yourself for the big event later on. When we’re younger climaxing more than once a day (or five) was achievable, as you get older you might finder it harder to keep it… So save yourself.

Don’t do it last thing at night…

One of the biggest causes of erection problems is timing. Why wait until you’re about as tired as you’re going to get? F**K first – then dinner, then TV then bed. Get the good stuff while you still have the energy!
25th February 2017