Why can't I get an erection?

Erectile dysfunction may be caused by psychological stress, vascular disease, hormone imbalance, nerve damage, drug side effects, etc.

1. Psychological pressure:

Chronic anxiety, depression, or relationship tension can inhibit sexual arousal signaling in the brain. The typical symptom is that the erection is normal at night but cannot be maintained during sexual intercourse, which can be relieved through psychological consultation or treatment with a partner.

2. Vascular disease:

Atherosclerosis or high blood pressure can cause insufficient blood supply to the corpus cavernosum. Such patients are often accompanied by symptoms of chest tightness after exercise, and require basic treatments such as improving blood lipids and controlling blood pressure combined with PDE5 inhibitor drug intervention.

3. Hormone imbalance:

Testosterone levels below 8 nmol/L will affect sexual desire and erection hardness. It is common in middle-aged and elderly men or obese people, and is characterized by reduced morning erections and loss of body hair. Endocrinology examination is required to determine whether hormone replacement therapy is needed.

4. Nerve damage:

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy or lumbar disc herniation may impair the erectile reflex arc. Such patients are usually accompanied by symptoms of numbness in their hands and feet, and the primary disease must be controlled first. In severe cases, penile prosthesis implantation surgery may be considered.

3. Drug effects:

More than 200 drugs, including antidepressants and antihypertensive drugs, may interfere with erectile function. Symptoms usually appear after 2-4 weeks of medication. It is recommended to record the correlation between medication time and symptoms for doctors to evaluate and adjust the plan.

It is recommended to do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day, such as brisk walking or swimming, to improve vascular endothelial function.； Increase the intake of arginine-rich foods such as walnuts and deep-sea fish ； Avoid using electronic devices before going to bed and ensure 7 hours of sleep. Smokers need to quit smoking and drink no more than 2 drinks a week. If the symptoms last for more than 3 months or are accompanied by chest pain, blurred vision and other systemic symptoms, you should go to an andrology or cardiovascular specialist in time.