Men tend to lose their ability to keep their erection as they get older, but thanks to science, research, and medicine, this doesn’t have to be you. If you’re having trouble keeping your erection during sex, there may be a few potential causes. Whether you’re having difficulty maintaining your erection or want to take preventative measures, here are five tips to keep your erection.
Tip #1 Reflect
Consider whether there could be a mental or psychological reason that you’re losing your erection early. Maybe you’re not getting something important during sex, or perhaps you simply have too much on your mind and keep getting distracted during the act.
Address Stress
Consider making a list of any potential new stressors such as work changes or recent arguments with your partner. Remember, also, that the COVID pandemic has created extra stress for everyone. If you think that stress is the cause, consider taking time for yourself and adding more relaxational activities to your week. You can also consider speaking to a licensed therapist.
Talk to Your Partner
If something in the bedroom is turning you off, or you’re not getting the thing you need to feel aroused, bring up the issue with your partner. Even if you feel like everything is going well, being honest about the issue and keeping your partner in the loop will help keep your relationship strong while you figure things out.
Tip #2 Adopt a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet can prevent diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity, all of which have been linked to erectile dysfunction. While the disease processes each have a different effect on the erection, some medications to treat the above diseases can also adversely affect your erection.
It’s never too early or too late to adopt a healthy diet that has a good balance of fruits, vegetables, carbs, and protein. Keep in mind that when we say diet, we mean something that you can follow long term. Don’t immediately cut all of your foods that you consider ‘unhealthy’ or cut calories. Instead, adopt a diet that you’ll enjoy eating and enjoy your favorite foods that aren’t super healthy in moderation.
For instance, the Mediterranean diet consists of olive oil, nuts, whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables, legumes, and moderate intake of fish and alcohol, while limiting dairy, meat, and sweets is considered protective against erectile dysfunction. This diet is also regarded as heart-healthy because it tends to be low in bad fats and has plenty of vitamins.
While you don’t have to adopt the Midereranean diet, you want to take a hard look at your eating habits. If you know that your habits aren’t healthy, it’s time for a change. Fortunately, with plenty of healthy delivery options, cooking guides, and videos, you have plenty of options.
Tip #3 Exercise
Exercising is important for your overall health and can prevent certain diseases, including heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. Just a moderate amount of exercise such as walking for fifteen minutes a few times a week can significantly lower your risk of developing the above diseases. Plus, exercise increases endorphins, which are the happy hormones in your brain, and helps combat the effects of stress and depression.
Another great benefit of regular exercise is increased stamina in the bedroom. If you’re getting tired or winded during sex, it becomes harder to stay turned on because now you’re thinking about taking a break. Of course, there may be other reasons you’re feeling tired, and if this is a persistent issue, we recommend you check in with your doctor.
However, if you know that you’re a little out of shape, starting a simple exercise regimen can help ensure that you keep your erection.
Tip #4 Avoid Overindulging in Substances
Certain substances such as alcohol can adversely affect your ability to get an erection and keep an erection if you overindulge. Researchers have connected alcohol consumption, especially heavy drinking, and smoking with erectile dysfunction. While you don’t have to completely cut alcohol out of your life, you do want to make sure that you are drinking in moderation.
In fact, if you’ve had a tough time maintaining your erection and are now worried about erectile dysfunction, ask yourself whether you simply had too much alcohol that evening. If the answer is yes, you have found your potential cause and can try again with your partner without alcohol involved.
Tip #5 Talk to Your Doctor
If you’re experiencing sudden changes in your ability to keep an erection, especially if other signs or symptoms accompany it, you should always check in with your doctor. While talking to your doctor about your penis might feel a little uncomfortable, remember that they are a doctor and have probably worked with hundreds of patients with similar issues.
Your doctor will advise you on how to best approach the situation and will probably run some tests to make sure that there are no underlying problems and will work with you to find an adequate solution. For instance, if you’re on medications that might be affecting your erection, your doctor might decide to switch you to a different medication. On the other hand, your doctor might recommend diet and exercise modifications to help keep you and your erection healthy.
If you are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, your doctor will review your options with you, including medications you can take to regain and keep your erection. However, keep in mind that there are plenty of options besides medication, and your doctor will likely discuss these with you during your visit.
Takeaways
- There are several things you can do if you’re not able to keep your erection during sex.
- Adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help you protect your erection.
- Stress and other non-medical factors can also affect your erection.
- If you suspect that your erection troubles are due to a medical condition, consult your doctor.
