Why is maintaining an erection a common issue for men?
There are many, many reasons why men find it difficult to maintain an erection. It’s a very commonplace issue and doesn’t always mean that there is something medically wrong with you.
However, it’s a good idea to understand some of the reasons why a person can find it hard to maintain their erection naturally. If you have concerns about your health, you should always see your healthcare professional for an informed opinion.
Studies estimate that around 150 million men of all ages and backgrounds around the world suffer with impotence. The medical definition is when a penis fails to become sufficiently hard in order to have sex.
Our article discusses many of the ways to maintain an erection naturally, which may be helpful for you. It can be considered quite a unique condition in that it can be impacted by a man’s physical, mental, and emotional state.
That is why the best approach to tackle this issue is a holistic one that takes into account what the research says about male health.
In the majority of cases, people who struggle with maintaining an erection will be able to overcome it by applying one of the below suggestions, or a combination of some of them.
Of course, it is absolutely possible to also consider medical supports to help with a strong erection. While Viagra is the best-known brand, there are now multiple different forms of male erection pills that can help.
Tip 1: Maintain good overall health and fitness
Yes, you’ve undoubtedly come across this tip before in numerous articles: “Improve your health and your problems will disappear!” they promise.
Well, it might be hard to stomach the message, but it really is true. The more effort you put into maintaining good physical health, be better your sexual health will be.
An erection happens when the blood vessels in your penis open up and fill with blood. This can usually be achieved through physical and mental stimulation.
What is the connection between good health and good erections? In order for the blood to properly flow to the right places and stay there while having sex, it’s important that your body has the nutrients and aerobic capacity it needs to function properly.
It’s similar to trying to run fast when you eat only takeaway food and don’t exercise: while you might want to run now, you haven’t been giving your body the tools it needs to be able to work properly.
If you find it difficult to stay healthy, stick to the basics: if you want to lose weight, your calorie intake should be lower than the calories you burn, eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, slowly replace your favourite unhealthy snack foods with healthier alternatives, and find a workout buddy to keep you motivated.
Tip 2: Keep an eye on your blood pressure
If you visit the doctor with an erectile dysfunction complaint, it’s likely that you will be asked for a blood pressure check.
As we mentioned, blood pressure is an extremely important factor in getting and maintaining an erection. Studies show a connection between high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction, which is reason enough to go for your next check-up.
Again, the ‘magic bullet’ of improving your overall lifestyle and health habits can contribute to a healthier blood pressure level, and in many cases, a better ability to stay erect.
Tip 3: Make sure your testosterone levels are within normal range
There are many at-home tests that you can take to measure the level of testosterone in your body. This is a good way to check that everything is working as it should.
It can sometimes be difficult to understand the reasons why you are having problems in keeping an erection for as long as you want. If you think that this could be a potential cause, it’s worth booking an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Abnormally low testosterone levels can result in a lower libido, low energy, and a change to your normal sexual activity. A doctor will be able to properly diagnose and ultimately treat you for low testosterone.
Tip 4: Limit your porn usage
Unfortunately, consuming too much porn can be associated with poor erectile function. Although you may not realise you have an issue when you are able to maintain erections on your own, it could be different when you have sex.
It is possible that this is a psychological rather than a physical effect. Because mental stimulation is often required to maintain an erection, inadvertently ‘training’ yourself to stay hard only when watching porn can result in problems during sexual activity with others.
If you’ve found that porn is impacting you negatively, try changing your porn consumption habits. There are lots of resources online to help you with this.
Tip 5: Consider sexual therapy to help you naturally maintain an erection
If you’ve ruled out some of the above tips, it could be the case that you need specialist support from a therapist or other sexual health practitioner.
As we mentioned, sexual health is linked to mental and emotional health. Mental health conditions are just as complex as physical conditions, if not more so and often require expert help.
Working through some of your issues with a qualified mental health practitioner can be a highly effective way of getting on the path towards being able to maintain an erection naturally.
Improving your overall health can help with your sexual health
There’s both good news and bad news when it comes to maintaining an erection naturally. The good news is that there are many natural treatments and solutions out there that can be easy to implement.
The bad news is that some of them require a bit of commitment on your part to develop healthy habits that impact you both inside and outside the bedroom.
It might be a good idea to take note of your specific symptoms or condition so that if you decide to speak with your doctor, you will be able to give them a full picture so that they can help you most effectively.
