Hi,

I am 44 yr old and lately I have experienced Ed problem. I went to doctor and did all the test (blood test), nothing wrong found. And I was given the Libetra (10 mg) to correct. I do not want to take it because I do not want to get used to it at this time.

I did have this problem 3 yrs ago almost for 2-3 months but it did get corrected without taking any medicine.

I do workout, no stress etc but still having ED, I do not get it.

My main problem is my penis arousal does not last that long and most of the time dies down in the middle of sex.

Thanks for your help

If you have a hard erection at the beginning and it begins to go limp during the act of intercourse, to me that sounds like a mental problem rather than a health problem. I will ask you if the same thing happens if a female is giving you a blow job? If it doesn't happen during a blow job, again that makes me think it is a mental problem. Are you afraid that you will get someone pregnant? Have you gotten someone pregnant in the past by accident? Have you caused someone pain while having intercourse. These are just some of the reasons that you might loose your erection during intercourse.

Its such a complicated condition... as you seem to know from your post, emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, conflict in the relationship, performance anxiety, and past sexual abuse can affect the quality of the erection. Likewise, physical conditions such as vascular problems, endocrine problems, systematic disease such as renal problems, and neurogenic issues can affect this. Not to mention poor habits such as lack of exercise, poor sleep, drug and alcohol use...

But your post shows you know being active and reducing stress are two very common causes of ED. So no issues with vascular health, no meds being taken, not a smoker, not excess alcohol, right?

Erections require proper functioning of the brain, spinal column, the penis, fibrous tissues, muscles, and vascular system. And sometimes a combination of less than ideal conditions in any combination can lead to ED. Young guys with ED often have psychogenic issues... older men can have a combination of factors, each little thing adding up.

For ex, I think many men suffer with a decrease in mental stim simply due to desensitisation. When I was 16, a peek at girls bra strap might produce a steel piercing erection. These days, it takes more. This alone might not cause ED, but add aging, slight vascular wall changes, sometimes it just all adds up.

So... have you talked to a urologist or was this your general doctor? There are other tests that can be done...

Were testosterone levels normal? Erectile tissue function can be tested. Sleep patterns can be monitered. If you haven't talked to a urologist, this is the next step.

I can't speak for the "natural remedies" that are thrown about... I don't discredit alternative med, having seen acupuncture do wonders for some people for other issues. In my reading, I believe hypnosis and therapy have shown greater results in preventing ED where no organic cause was found versus acupuncture... though if my wife's acupuncturist says he can do something, he's always come through in the end.

So... start with a urologist if you haven't. He/she should have some suggestions concerning the next steps, which would rule out pure physical issues such as poor response in the erectile tissue. Once physical issues are resolved, its time to look at potential mental blocks (simply knowing it might be a problem can cause the problem) or alternative routes.

One note about levitra... one study of men who used viagra (with a similar half life as levitra) and then were switched to cialis found that while all performed fine, the benefit of a longer window of opportunity with cialis was found to reduce anxiety in the men... basically more men preferred it because you could take it much earler and concentrations will remain higher in the body over time... which is why some call it the "weekend pill"... were I to need an ED drug, id ask my doc for cialis, and want a reasonable explanation for why he/shed suggest a different drug. They act similarly, but cialis is excreted slower, giving you a bigger window for opportunity.

I really have to give you credit for not reaching for a pill to solve your temporary problem which most likely has other aspects that need examining.

Just a question, have you had the same partner for awhile(your wife/or companion) who puts it all up to you to make sex varied and hot and stimulating?? Is your partner a complainer?

All people go through different stages as they grow older... our needs and abilities change as we go on as well as our maturity and wisdom. You might be in a period of needing more contemplation in your life.

Just putting stuff out there for you to look at. :)

My BF has that same problem sometimes. I think it is because he is a heavy smoker.

My BF has that same problem sometimes. I think it is because he is a heavy smoker.

Smoking has been linked in primary research as being a risk factor for developing ED. It can limit the availability of nitric oxide, a key chemical relaxant that causes blood to engorge erectile tissues. Also, smoking can damage the quality of sperm, so even if he can sustain an erection, fertility can be impaired.

Additionally, if he is overweight, especially if he doesn't exercise daily, the rates increase again. Even among obese men, those who exercise daily for 30 min showed improvement in erection quality. So moving your body, even if you aren't in great health, can potentially help with ED.

So no doubt that if he's experiencing ED, his smoking is contributing to the condition, though other factors may be involved as well.