Experiences with Erectile Dysfunction

[perthblue]

Hi GD,

Have had a bit of trouble recently in the bedroom. It has come on quite suddenly and I am not sure on the best course of action. I have spoken to my GP and he has refrained on prescribing me the magic blue pill for the moment since I do not want to go down that route just yet and neither does he, and he is convinced it is a psychological issue.

I have been under some considerable stress and worry recently, however this has never impacted me physically in such a way. I am still attracted to my girlfriend and she never fails to turn me on, however I must admit that sometimes it takes a few extra revvs to get the engine going, at times I'm not blowing full steam ahead, and in general the sex drive seems to wax and wane more than it previously did.

Has anyone had experiences with this? Is it likely to be in my head?

I should mention that I have packed on a few extra kilos. I am working on it, In the past month I have brought my BMI from 'obese' to 'overweight' and am on the way to normal, however I am aware that this might also have considerable impact.

Happy to hear anyone's first or second or third hand experiences.

 

[Gralin]

Stress is definitely a big one, anxiety also

Weight and fitness can impact

If you're in a relationship or with a regular partner for this being comfortable and feeling safe with them will go a long way

Taking the pressure off yourself to perform that way can help, if its mental

Not drinking before hand as well.

Try and put yourself in a situation where you can relax and it's not a big deal if you don't end up having sex

 

[raskolnikov]

It's something I've never had any issue with. Which is surprising because being diabetic is something which is often associated with erectile dysfunction. Someone gave me a viagara once and I had a 24 hr hard on. I had go to around trying to hide it all day.

 

[Gigantic]

Have a look into an aphrodisiac like maca root. If it is psychological then it won't help, but if not then it's worth a look into.

I personally take it as a daily supplement because for me it gives me a notable mood and energy boost, but there is some evidence that it provides notable libido effects too.

Maca benefits, dosage, and side effects

Examine simplifies nutrition and supplementation — through meticulous analysis of the latest scientific research — to help answer your questions on how to be healthier.

examine.com

 

[Lethality]

If you're on antidepressants that can affect libido.

Best treatment is diet and light exercise. Putting on some muscle is probably good for your testosterone.

 

[Gough]

I didn't get a lob on for eights days during a bender once.

 

[MarcMaverick]

I'd do what I call an FBA(Full Body Audit) and I would lay out all aspects of why, in your case, E.D. has suddenly become an issue. You did mention that you were under considerable stress and you were loosing weight concurrently. Weight loss is great, though I think maybe when your body is committed to weight loss than it does take away from your libido, think maybe your body has switched from procreation to survival mode . Probably the stress of loosing weight quickly increases your stress levels as well thus taking energy away from sex.

Probably its psychological, it'll take time for your body to reset and recognise itself after the changes you make, stress levels will subside and you hopefully won't have E.D any more.

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

Getting back in shape is always a good idea anyway and being overweight is probably not helping your temporary situation, I found cutting body fat and zinc supplementation gave me better boners

 

[perthblue]

Have a look into an aphrodisiac like maca root. If it is psychological then it won't help, but if not then it's worth a look into.

I personally take it as a daily supplement because for me it gives me a notable mood and energy boost, but there is some evidence that it provides notable libido effects too.

Thanks. I have tried maca root with not much success. What form do you take it in? I tried the powder mixed in juice and found it basically unpalatable.

Maca benefits, dosage, and side effects

Examine simplifies nutrition and supplementation — through meticulous analysis of the latest scientific research — to help answer your questions on how to be healthier.

examine.com

Getting back in shape is always a good idea anyway and is probably not helping your temporary situation, I found cutting body fat and zinc supplementation gave me better boners

I have noticed better energy/mood levels in generals while losing weight so maybe that will eventually translate to sex drive.

My multivitamin contains zinc, is that enough? How much do you take per day?

 

[perthblue]

I'd do what I call an FBA(Full Body Audit) and I would lay out all aspects of why, in your case, E.D. has suddenly become an issue. You did mention that you were under considerable stress and you were loosing weight concurrently. Weight loss is great, though I think maybe when your body is committed to weight loss than it does take away from your libido, think maybe your body has switched from procreation to survival mode . Probably the stress of loosing weight quickly increases your stress levels as well thus taking energy away from sex.

Probably its psychological, it'll take time for your body to reset and recognise itself after the changes you make, stress levels will subside and you hopefully won't have E.D any more.

Thanks, I am certainly hoping that my body will balance itself out as I approach my goal weight. FBA is a great idea!

It's something I've never had any issue with. Which is surprising because being diabetic is something which is often associated with erectile dysfunction. Someone gave me a viagara once and I had a 24 hr hard on. I had go to around trying to hide it all day.

From what my GP and a brief google search tell me, Viagra doesn't increase sex drive, only helps blood flow once you're already aroused. I think my problem probably stems from low sex drive which is why viagra was not the route to go down just yet.

If you're on antidepressants that can affect libido.

Best treatment is diet and light exercise. Putting on some muscle is probably good for your testosterone.

Not on antidepressants but have also heard that.

I have heard building muscle is good for testosterone however my primarily goal at the moment is fat loss which means I'm eating at a significant caloric deficit, I believe this might be causing some 'issues'

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Never really experienced it other than a fleeting moment here and there

I am about to be prescribed some medication though which I think has a negative effect on that sort of thing. Need to take it but a little bit worried. I'm almost 30 and the last thing I need is to lose sex drive. Feel like its been on the decline the last couple of years anyway

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

I've been taking Swisse Ultraboost Zinc + which took about 3 months to start noticing the difference, I started taking a couple years ago when Covid fears were a thing. Breakdown below:

• Zinc (from zinc amino acid chelate) 25 mg
• Vitamin A (retinol acetate) 375 micrograms/RE
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine from pyridoxine hydrochloride) 30 mg
• Magnesium (from magnesium phosphate pentahydrate) 35 mg
• Manganese (from manganese sulfate monohydrate) 2 mg

The calorie deficit your on could be a big part of the problem, servere cuts can really mess with your hormones, I'm surprised you doctor hasn't mentioned this.
How many calories are you eating/how much are you working out?

I recently went on a cut to quickly drop 7kg and noticed by the end of the 6 weeks I wasn't getting bed time boners, that was on <1600cal per day at 5 workouts a week.
Now back at 2500 cal I'm waking up with boners again.

 

[perthblue]

Never really experienced it other than a fleeting moment here and there

I am about to be prescribed some medication though which I think has a negative effect on that sort of thing. Need to take it but a little bit worried. I'm almost 30 and the last thing I need is to lose sex drive. Feel like its been on the decline the last couple of years anyway

A former friend had this issue due to blood pressure medication. I believe he went down the viagra route and was eventually able to switch to a different medication. You have my sympathies if your medication does have the side effect of lowering libido but the positive effects will probably outweigh the negative.

I've been taking Swisse Ultraboost Zinc + which took about 3 months to start noticing the difference, I started taking a couple years ago when Covid fears were a thing. Breakdown below:

• Zinc (from zinc amino acid chelate) 25 mg
• Vitamin A (retinol acetate) 375 micrograms/RE
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine from pyridoxine hydrochloride) 30 mg
• Magnesium (from magnesium phosphate pentahydrate) 35 mg
• Manganese (from manganese sulfate monohydrate) 2 mg

The calorie deficit your on could be a big part of the problem, servere cuts can really mess with your hormones, I'm surprised you doctor hasn't mentioned this.
How many calories are you eating/how much are you working out?

I recently went on a cut to quickly drop 7kg and noticed by the end of the 6 weeks I wasn't getting bed time boners, that was on <1600cal per day at 5 workouts a week.
Now back at 2500 cal I'm waking up with boners again.

3 months wow, I don't think I've ever stuck with a vitamin supplement that long!

I believe you might be spot on and I am unsure why my GP didn't bring it up. I am eating roughly 1500cal a day, I run everyday and weight train 4x a week. I started off by intermittent fasting for 2 weeks but noticed my energy levels were very low so I switched to 3 small meals a day. I am probably undereating too much but getting this extra weight off is my priority.

 

[Gigantic]

Thanks. I have tried maca root with not much success. What form do you take it in? I tried the powder mixed in juice and found it basically unpalatable.




I have noticed better energy/mood levels in generals while losing weight so maybe that will eventually translate to sex drive.

My multivitamin contains zinc, is that enough? How much do you take per day?

I take them in capsule form. Yeah, I've tried the powder mixed in smoothies and juices... not a pleasant taste.

 

[perthblue]

I take them in capsule form. Yeah, I've tried the powder mixed in smoothies and juices... not a pleasant taste.

Capsules are probably better. Were the results with your mood and energy instant or did they take some time to get going?

 

[Gigantic]

Capsules are probably better. Were the results with your mood and energy instant or did they take some time to get going?

I started incorporating it as a supplement with a whole bunch of other stuff and a drastic change in diet too, so it's hard to say.

Also, I was only taking about 500mg a day which is probably a 1/4 of the suggested daily dosage.

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

A former friend had this issue due to blood pressure medication. I believe he went down the viagra route and was eventually able to switch to a different medication. You have my sympathies if your medication does have the side effect of lowering libido but the positive effects will probably outweigh the negative.



3 months wow, I don't think I've ever stuck with a vitamin supplement that long!

I believe you might be spot on and I am unsure why my GP didn't bring it up. I am eating roughly 1500cal a day, I run everyday and weight train 4x a week. I started off by intermittent fasting for 2 weeks but noticed my energy levels were very low so I switched to 3 small meals a day. I am probably undereating too much but getting this extra weight off is my priority.

I don't have all the details but that does sound like it could be too aggressive of a cut with that amount of exercise, particularly with daily running, even just a quick 5k will burn around 1/3 of those calories
Short term it's likely OK but probably not a good idea for more than 4-6 weeks.

Have you cut like this before? How's your blood pressure going, any light headed, dizzy etc?
Try Googling what calorie deficits can do to your cortisol levels vs hormones if you're not already aware.

 

[perthblue]

I don't have all the details but that does sound like it could be too aggressive of a cut with that amount of exercise, particularly with daily running, even just a quick 5k will burn around 1/3 of those calories
Short term it's likely OK but probably not a good idea for more than 4-6 weeks.

Have you cut like this before? How's your blood pressure going, any light headed, dizzy etc?
Try Googling what calorie deficits can do to your cortisol levels vs hormones if you're not already aware.

I've dropped 7.5kg in 5 weeks, my aim was to drop 10kg and then introduce a smaller deficit for the final 10kg I want to lose. It might be time to bump up my cal to 2000ish

I've done intermittent fasts/72 hour fasts before but never with much exercise involved (FWIW I no longer believe in fasting as an effective weight management strategy)

Thankfully no dizziness or light headedness, I feel a little bit hungry for most of the day but I've learned to live with it.

 

[Alberto_Magnifico]

I've dropped 7.5kg in 5 weeks, my aim was to drop 10kg and then introduce a smaller deficit for the final 10kg I want to lose. It might be time to bump up my cal to 2000ish

I've done intermittent fasts/72 hour fasts before but never with much exercise involved (FWIW I no longer believe in fasting as an effective weight management strategy)

Thankfully no dizziness or light headedness, I feel a little bit hungry for most of the day but I've learned to live with it.

Well done on the weight loss so far, that's a decent effort in 5 weeks! See how you go, some extra calories and within a few days you might have an improvement.

I totally agree about fasting, I've generally been on a 6-8hr eating window for over 5 years because it fits in with my lifestyle and I don't get hungry in the morning , fasting helps me with overall calorie control, but I'm not convinced of any other mechanisms.
I'm gonna give Keto a go for a month, it's meant to be great for visceral fat loss and I'm 80% there with the types of foods I eat anyway. Also a high fat diet can supposedly increase testosterone so I will report back if I find any interesting results.

 

[utility]

Never personally had an issue but being overweight is estrogenic. Focus on raising your t-levels.

 

[GreyCrow]

Check your thyroid function

 

[Pistol Night]

Get married. Problem solved

 

[HirdyLannister]

Stress is the main factor.

As someone who works full time and studying an engineering degree I find the drop off is from stress, especially around major assignments or exams then fine once the unit is complete.

Perfectly normal.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Hey perthblue . Any updates?

 

[GreyCrow]

Hey perthblue . Any updates?

Appropriate