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Question:
I am concerned as it seems I am unable to get an erection properly under any circumstances. This applies to both when (attempting!) to have sex with my wife, masturbating and also when I wake up in the morning, if I do have an erection it is - as at those other times already mentioned - partial only (ie about 70% erect).
I am aware that mental rather than physical factors are the more common cause of impotence but really do not feel this to be the case with me - I think the cause is a physical one. Could the following be a possible cause? I have been largely celibate for a number of years, with just occasional sex (my wife and I only recently married). Whilst masturbating at that time, I got into the habit (indeed did a long time ago, from, say 14 onwards and I'm now 26) of using my palm/thumb to pull the foreskin over the top of the head of penis immediatly prior to ejaculation. This obviously contained all the sperm - not to the point of limiting it's output I don't think, just made things less messy! Without really noticing, I now realise that my erections over the last while (1 year?) have been consistently less strong. Now that I'm married and my wife and I are building up a sex life, the problem has obviously really come to my attention. I'm worried that consistenly masturbating in this way has somehow damaged my penis - blood vessels damaged? I've no medical knowledge, so am guessing in the dark. I'd really appreciate your advice.
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Answer:
by Annette Owens: (06/18/2004)
I do not think that your masturbation habit has anything to do with your diminished erections. At least I have never heard about a case where this has happened. The blood in your penis and semen obviously use different routes (blood vessels and so called cavernous bodies of the penis vs. the urethra) and I believe that it is unlikely that your blood supply to the penis could have been altered during masturbation. One of our men's health experts on this site may be able to give you a more definite answer on this.
The fact that you do experience diminished erections in several situations (intercourse, masturbation and morning erections) does indeed point in the direction of an organic reason. In purely psychological cases of erectile difficulties (ED) the male often cannot get erections with a partner, but has no or at least less problems during masturbation or during morning erections.
I recommend the following: See a physician for a thorough health exam. Be sure to give him or her all the details of your problem. Sexual health is a most important part of your general health. Don't be embarrassed to ask the question about your erections. Often, health practitioners are waiting for the patient to bring up the subject. Your physician may choose to check your blood sugar, since waning erections sometimes can be a sign of diabetes. For more info on this topic read my essay on diabetes at http://www.cvillewellness.com/diabetes.htm (find the link on the side of this page). Other hormones including thyroid hormones may be worth checking as well.
You just recently married and it sounds as if this problem is affecting you increasingly. After years of being single, I am sure that marriage is an adjustment (Congratulations by the way!). Maybe you are feeling pressure to perform well in bed? Regardless where the pressure may be coming from, it can definitely affect your erections. If no organic reasons can be determined, your physician can refer you to a sex therapist in order to help you further.
A good book that gives a lot of basic information about men's health and yet addresses many specific issues such as ED due to psychological reasons is “The Sexual Male. Problems and Solutions” by Milsten and Slowinski. You can find the link to the book on the side of this page.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Good luck with everything!
Annette Owens, MD PhD
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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