What It Means When Men Lose An Erection

Even though it may create an awkward moment when it's happening, losing an erection is pretty common. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's estimated that roughly 50% of people between the ages of 40 and 70 experience erectile dysfunction (ED) at some point in their lives. However, it's possible that the percentage could be higher but shame often prevents people from talking to their doctor about it.

Why someone might lose an erection varies. Sometimes your body is simply too tired to stay hard, and other times it could be related to overconsumption of alcohol. Other factors like stress, anxiety, or being too much in your head can play a role too. 

Although losing an erection every now and then is totally normal, when it becomes a regular occurrence, it's time to do something about it. You may be one of the many people with ED, and that's not something you should ignore. In some cases, it can be indicative of other underlying issues.

If you've lived your life being able to get and stay erect for the most part, but to do so has become a feat, it could be ED. According to a 2017 study published in Translational Andrology and Urology, men in their 40s have a 40% chance of developing ED and that chance increases by 10% with each passing decade. In other words, like all things that come with an aging body, you can't really escape its onset.

"Erectile dysfunction is typically caused by a problem with blood flow in the penis due to the hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels of the penis," urologist Aaron Spitz, M.D. told Men's Health. "This occurs most commonly due to aging itself, which causes the smooth muscle cells that line the blood vessels to become stiffer and less able to stretch." When this happens, the blood flow needed to keep the penis erect is unable to do its job, leading to the inability to get hard and/or stay hard.

While age is the primary trigger for ED, there's also a whole slew of conditions that can contribute to it. For example, cardiovascular issues and diabetes are big ones, as are high cholesterol, obesity, Parkinson's disease, substance abuse, as well as mental health disorders, per Mayo Clinic.

Once you've deduced that your inability to stay hard is happening on a fairly regular basis, either during masturbation or partnered sex, it's time to talk to your primary care physician or make an appointment to see a urologist. In order for your doctor to figure out if you do indeed have ED, they'll perform an exam and take blood and possibly urine samples too. Your doctor may even perform a Penile Doppler Ultrasound by using injections to create an erection, so they can get a better idea of what's going on. 

Depending on the causes of your ED, you'll either be given oral medication, like Viagra or Cialis, or take-home injections, suppositories, or a penis pump. If it's your lifestyle that's causing the problem, then your doctor may tell you it's time to cut back on drinking, quit smoking, or take steps to lower your cholesterol, among other healthy choices. It's very likely your ED is due to physical ailments, however, WebMD notes that 10% to 20% of ED cases can be linked to a psychological disorder. Therapy may be needed if the causes of your ED are psychological.

What's important to realize about ED, no matter the reason for it, you're absolutely not alone. It's also not something you should suffer in silence with, especially since there are treatments. Also, you're not going to be the first, nor will you be the last person to tell your doctor that you can't stay hard. So shake any embarrassment you might be feeling from your bones and address the problem head-on.