Staying hard is the most common problem men have with sex. If you're reading this, you're probably looking for a solution. There are many reasons why men lose their erection, even when they're turned on. Stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and even prescription drugs can cause erectile dysfunction.

The good news is that there are many ways to overcome erectile dysfunction. One of the most important things you can do to take control of your sex life is research and engage in trial and error.

One thing is for sure; you’re not alone. Each year, millions of men in the US alone struggle with ED, no matter their age or lifestyle. ED is a very common problem, and finding a solution that's right for you is a matter of experimentation and lifestyle changes. In the end, the most important thing is to explore your options and find a solution that works.

This article will talk about some of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction, including physiological issues, possible psychological issues, and lifestyle issues. We'll provide some solutions and talk about how to find a solution that works for you.

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How Diet Effects ED

A large percentage of erectile dysfunction cases may be related to poor diet and lack of exercise. The good news is that you can change these parts of your lifestyle with ease.

Ensure that you're eating a healthy, balanced diet. Opt for whole, plant-based foods as much as possible. This means that we should cut back on processed food as much as possible, as well as meats that aren't lean. Foods like fish, nuts, and beans will provide you with plenty of protein and healthy fats and should help you maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise is another important part of a balanced lifestyle. It's already known that exercise can help you to overcome depression and anxiety. Exercising will also help you build muscle and improve your self-confidence, leading to a happier sex life. Exercise can also help you to sleep better, which may improve your erections.

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Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs

Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and using recreational drugs are all things that can affect your ability to get an erection.

Most recreational drugs act as depressants, which means that they slow down your brain and body. Alcohol acts similarly, leading to relaxation and lowered inhibitions, but also impotence in some cases.

Smoking itself isn't directly related to erectile dysfunction, but it has other effects on your body that may cause erectile dysfunction. Smoking is associated with decreased blood flow, poor circulation, and increased stress.

It's important to note that smoking isn't the only substance that can lead to erectile dysfunction. While smoking is bad for your health, even alcohol can lead to erectile dysfunction, and there are many recreational drugs out there that may do the same. If you're trying to overcome erectile dysfunction and you want to continue to use alcohol or recreational drugs, it's important to make healthier choices.

While many substances may lead to erectile dysfunction, quitting will improve your erections and help you overcome other issues.

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Stress and ED

Stress can cause a variety of medical problems, including problems with your sex life. Stress is a physiological response to being overworked, exhausted, or feeling threatened. When you're stressed, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol, which can have a variety of effects on your body, including your sex life.

First, prolonged stress, in general, can make it more difficult to get an erection. But erectile dysfunction can sometimes be due to performance anxiety, a form of stress. If you worry about not getting an erection, you can become so anxious that you can't get one. If you're in a new sexual relationship and you're worried about pleasing your partner, you can experience performance anxiety. Anxiety and stress can affect a man's ability to get and maintain an erection and interfere with the ability to ejaculate.

So what can you do? If you’re feeling anxious about sexual performance, try to communicate that with your partner. Having someone understand your anxiety can make it easier for you to get an erection, and help you to enjoy the sex you’re having. But if you’re in a new relationship, or if the stress is less about your performance and more about external issues, you can try some stress-reducing techniques. ‍

Meditation and/or exercise can improve your body’s ability to handle stress and help you relax. Yoga is a great way to both stay fit and relax. Deep breathing and mindfulness are also effective stress reducers and can help you to focus on the sensations of sex.

Finally, a healthy lifestyle can help you to reduce your stress levels. Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercises, and getting good sleep can help you reduce your stress and help you feel more relaxed and energetic during sex.

Your Mental Health May Be Affecting Your ED

Your mental health may be an underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction. The mind and the body are intimately linked, and your thoughts and emotions can profoundly affect your sexual function.

Many men have experienced a stressful situation at some point in their lives, such as a divorce, a new baby, or a job loss. Some of these situations may directly affect your sex life, making it harder to get an erection, and may leave you wondering how to stay hard during or after sex.

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Your Porn Consumption May Also Affect Your Ability to Get Hard

While porn does not directly affect your erectile function, a lack of interest in real-life partners may be a symptom of a deeper issue. Pornography can be a substitute for a real-life partner, and a person who spends a great deal of time looking at porn may have a hard time relating to a real-life partner as a result.

Additionally, a study published by Elsevier showed that men who frequently watch porn had lower sexual satisfaction within the bedroom and diminished erectile function. The study went on to show that men who are exposed to sexually explicit material are more likely to have issues with their sexual function.

Pornography is not the only cause of ED, but it is one that many men may not be aware of. If you are having trouble getting or staying hard, you may benefit from looking at your porn consumption habits.

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How Does An Erection Work, and How Do Medications Help?

To understand how erectile dysfunction can develop, it helps to understand how an erection works. Your penis has two erectile chambers called the corpora cavernosa. When you are aroused, these chambers fill with blood. Cyclic GMP/cGMP is a chemical that helps relax the smooth muscle tissue in the corpora cavernosa and allows for increased blood flow to the penis.

When you are unable to achieve and/or maintain an erection, the smooth muscles of the corpora cavernosa do not relax and allow for increased blood flow.

This is where erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra come in. These medications help to relax the smooth muscles in the penis, allowing for increased blood flow. In many cases, ED medications can help you achieve and/or maintain an erection, allowing you to have a satisfying sex life.

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Are There Other Ways to Treat ED?

If you have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, you have a number of treatment options. Erectile dysfunction medications are very effective in treating ED, but changing your lifestyle may also help.

You may want to consider making changes to your diet and exercise regimen. Certain foods can cause erectile dysfunction, and regular exercise can help with blood flow and oxygen levels.

Medication for ED

Phoenix offers two of the most popular solutions for ED, which are the generic versions of Viagra and Cialis. Both Viagra and Cialis are drugs that are FDA-approved for the treatment of ED.

Sildenafil (Generic for Viagra) is a medication that helps men who have erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection. Like Viagra, Sildenafil works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. It's not meant to be taken by men who take nitrates for chest pain or heart disease. Side effects may include headaches, flushing, upset stomach, congestion, or vision changes.

Tadalafil (Generic for Cialis) is also used to treat erectile dysfunction. Like Cialis, this drug helps men maintain erections. It operates by blocking phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that breaks down cGMP. This allows the smooth muscles of the penis to relax, which improves blood flow and allows the penis to fill with blood, causing an erection. Side effects of Tadalafil include headaches, stuffy nose, upset stomach, back pain, nasal congestion, and vision changes.

Both of these medications come with a warning regarding their use with nitrate medications. If you take nitrates, either regularly or occasionally, you should not take either of these ED medications.

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Conclusion

As you sort through your options, it is important to be mindful of possible underlying causes of your ED. Your mental health is inextricably linked to your sexual health, and if you are not happy with your life in general, your ED may be the symptom of a larger problem. In some cases, ED can be a side effect of an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.

Phoenix Health is dedicated to men like you who may be experiencing ED. We offer camera-free, low-cost telehealth visits, so you can take control of your sexual wellbeing. We presently offer Sildenafil and Tadalafil, the generic versions of Viagra and Cialis. Schedule an appointment today to begin regaining your sexual life.