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Imagine this: you and your partner are in the midst of passionate lovemaking, and the heat is on in the bedroom. Just as you’re about to go inside—oops. Your main cadet has fallen asleep and doesn’t seem to want to wake up.
Going flaccid can be one of the most awkward and frustrating that can happen during sex. Aside from being a massive mood-killer for your partner, it can also be a great source of shame and embarrassment.
If this has ever happened to you, know that you’re not alone in your struggles. This frustrating occurrence is a medical condition called erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to the inability to maintain or keep the erectness of your penis. It’s estimated that 322 million men will struggle with this dysfunction by 2025—with people with chronic illnesses at heightened risk of having it—so it’s fair to call it a global bedroom crisis.
Now the question remains, what can be done to treat ED and going soft during sex?
First, let’s look at the potential causes of men getting a flaccid penis during sex, even when sexual desire is still alive and kicking.
Top Reasons Why Men Go Soft During Sex
Knowing the exact cause of why you’re developing a flaccid penis is important in order to treat it. If you have a medical history of the diseases below, contact a doctor about it to get a managed treatment plan customized for you.
If you’re sick of unsatisfying sex and want something done about it, read this list to find the possible causes of a soft penis and ways to treat it.
1. Sexual Performance Anxiety
Some men may feel an intense feeling of fear, pressure, and anxiety prior to engaging in sexual activity.
If these feelings of anxiety affect you sexually, then the experience is known as sexual performance anxiety (SPA). There are several causes of SPA, which include:
- Feeling emotionally distant from your partner.
- Little to no prior sexual experience.
- Mental health issues.
- Self-esteem issues.
- Distorted views due to watching worn.
When a man has SPA, they’ll not feel pleasure during sexual activity. They’ll not be able to enjoy a climax or sustain an erection. About 9-25% of men are estimated to have this form of sexual dysfunction.
If you’re struggling with performance anxiety, talk to your partner about it. There may be a simple solution, such as changing the time of day you have sex or the position you use. You can also talk to a men’s health provider for more insights on dealing with this problem.
2. Medications
Believe it or not, some forms of medication can negatively affect erectile function and sexual arousal. A research review mentioned that 25% of ED is a side effect of certain medications.
What type of medications causes ED? These include:
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Beta blockers
- SSRIs and antidepressants
It’s not recommended to quit these medications cold turkey if they’re causing you problems. Consult with your doctor to find the right course of action for you. Typically, they’ll adjust the dosage or prescribe you another form of medication to prevent unwanted side effects.
3. Underlying Chronic Illness
There’s a high correlation between ED and a variety of chronic illnesses. In fact, many medical experts deem symptoms of erectile dysfunction to indicate future heart problems in the next 3-5 years. This is why many doctors urge patients with ED to get screened for heart disease and cardiovascular risks.
Here are some notable associations between ED and common chronic illnesses:
- An estimated 40% of men with ED will have hypertension.
- Diabetic men aged 50 and up are twice more likely to have ED than non-diabetics.
- Men with obesity are 50% more likely to have ED.
- 42% of hyperlipidemia patients have ED.
- 72% of men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia have ED.
If you have these health problems, urge your doctor to provide medical care for you. You’ll need to address the root cause of the disease to manage ED symptoms.
4. Depression
People with depression are 40% more likely to have trouble sustaining an erect penis than those without depression. While many causes of ED are physiological in nature, psychological ED or impotence is also something that occurs in men.
Men with depression and other mental disorders face a shortage of pleasure hormones in the body such as serotonin and dopamine. This makes it hard for men to feel satisfied during sex, and as a result, fail to achieve a normal erection fit for sexual intercourse.
5. Excessive Drinking
If you’ve been binge drinking alcohol before getting it on, your body may experience a temporary bout with erectile dysfunction.
Alcohol impairs inhibitory control, which affects the production and flow of neurotransmitters in the brain. The more you drink, the slower your brain processes and sends out signals to the rest of your body, including the penis. This can make you feel less interested in sexual stimulation.
Chronic alcoholics also have it much worse, with one study citing that men with a dependency on alcohol are more likely to have ED.
What Can Be Done to Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
Fortunately, erectile dysfunction at all levels of severity can typically be treated.
Here are some things you can do to cope with symptoms of erectile dysfunction:
- Have an honest conversation with your partner.
- Avoid binge drinking and smoking.
- Adjust your medication after a doctor’s approval.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoiding unhealthy food and eating a better diet.
- Sleep at least 7 hours a night.
There are also clinically-approved treatments that can get to the root of ED and fix it. These include:
- Acoustic wave therapy
- Topical gels and creams
- Testosterone replacement therapy
By talking with a doctor, you can find the right ED treatment plan for you to address your concern.
Consult Cleveland’s Leading ED Clinic for a Medical Consultation
Treating erectile dysfunction may seem difficult, but men have been able to live normal lives after treatment.
For some cases, a change in strategy and consistency is all you need to rise above the underlying medical condition that’s interfering with your sex life.
Need a bit of help? Contact a health care professional at Precise Men’s Medical Center in Cleveland today to bring sparks to your bedroom once again. Our medical professionals specialize in treating conditions that impact men’s health. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as ED, Low Testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
