MOST men occasionally fail to get or keep an erection and it can be hard to tell whether this is due to a physical or psychological cause.
But there may be a way in which men can find out – by monitoring what happens down below at a certain time of the day.
Men who keep an eye on their erections after waking up in the morning may be more attuned to what’s going on with their health .
For example, Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at online pharmacy Chemist Click , said, if you’ve experienced erectile dysfunction , but continue to get morning wood, your body is likely to be healthy enough to produce erections.
He continued: “The problem isn’t likely to be a physical one, but a psychological one.”
Morning wood is an erection that men have as they wake up and is a good indicator of a healthy blood and nerve supply to your penis.
Abbas added: “It means that your body is physiologically capable of achieving an erection and that you probably aren’t affected by physical ED, caused by high blood pressure , diabetes , or low testosterone.”
While men aren’t always going to wake up to a rock-hard erection, they should be getting them every so often, he urged.
Abbas added: There are no set guidelines or indicators which state how many days a week a man should be waking up with an erection, but if you’re not waking up with the morning glory you once knew, it can be a sign that you have an underlying health condition.”
Sexual arousal in men is a process which involves the brain, hormones, nerves, emotions, and blood vessels.
As such, erectile problems can arise when there’s a problem with any of these processes.
“Problems can be both physical and psychological,” said Abbas.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common condition.
It’s estimated to affect half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70, according to NHS reports.
Physical ED can be due to:
- Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke , epilepsy, obesity , Parkinson’s or low testosterone levels.
- Nerve damage
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Anatomical problems with your penis such as Peyronie’s or penile fracture
- Certain medication
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction occurs when a man has the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during sex due to psychological factors. These can include the following…
Stress
Stress can be linked to erection problems in men.
Abbas explained: “During times of stress, activity in the less essential sections of the brain, including the receptors responsible for managing arousal, start to decrease.
“When you are preoccupied, often with the pressures that life has to present, it’s difficult to focus.
“It may even be the case that sex is the last thing on your mind which can affect performance”.
He added: “Stress can also affect testosterone levels, and the quality of sleep , which can have a knock-on effect on sexual activity”.
Performance anxiety
Sexual performance anxiety is generally believed to be amongst the most common psychological causes of ED.
The desire to please a new partner during sexual intercourse can cause performance anxiety in men of any age, said Abbas.
He continued: “Erection difficulties on occasion can also have a negative effect the next time you try, and this can have a negative impact on your confidence.
“In most cases, anxiety induced ED is temporary, but may require therapy.”
Depression
Whether exacerbated by loss of self-esteem or over fatigue, a depressed mental state can significantly impact the body’s ability to trigger sexual arousal.
Abbas said: “ED itself can exacerbate the symptoms of depression , and vice versa”.
Loss of interest
A reduction in libido may be responsible for ED.
“Symptoms stemming from a lack of interest in sex may have as much to do with partner familiarity as they do a lack of testosterone, and relationship issues can trigger an onset of ED symptoms,” cautioned Abbas.
“When it comes to the onset of ED, there are often underlying issues that require addressing prior to tackling any secondary aggravators.
“Once the primary source of the erection issue has been identified and addressed, it is possible to reverse and treat the condition permanently.”
But in some primary cases – for example if a man has never been able to achieve or maintain a rigid erection – treating ED permanently is more of a challenge, depending on the cause.
Treating erectile dysfunction
Erectile problems caused by psychological factors can be treated with therapy and counselling, however, response to counselling can vary depending on the individual.
“Where the issue is physical, the root cause will need to be identified and treated,” advised Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at online pharmacy Chemist Click
“Where this is not possible, medical intervention using ED treatments may help”.
There are a number of medications available that specifically combat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
From popular brands like Viagra and Cialis to non-branded cheaper alternatives such as sildenafil tablets and tadalafil tablets.
These treatments work by helping to increase blood flow to the penis.
Abbas advised simple lifestyle changes may also have a positive impact.
He said: “Meditation, exercise, and increased sleep can have profound effects on your body’s ability to ward off the effects of ED and maintain a prolonged erection.
“The increased brain activity, uptick in chemical processes and heightened mental state achieved by regular maintenance and resting activities is linked to a sustained ability to engage in healthy sexual function.”
