Erectile dysfunction: the partial or complete lack of a hard penis in times of need: sex, masturbation or otherwise. If you've got erection problems, do not fret. It's a common problem. First, answer this question:

• Do you get erections when you wake in the morning or at night?

If you answer no, and there is no time when you are able to get an erection, then you may have chronic erectile dysfunction. The problem may be a physical condition such as injury, diabetes or a medication. See the chronic erectile dysfunction page, and see a doctor straight away.

If there is a time when you can get an erection, but have trouble getting or staying erect for sex, then the problem may be psychological or environmental, and may be fixed by simple adjustments. There are certain factors that are good for getting an erection, and certain factors that hinder it. It may be something simple that's holding you back. Here's a breakdown of the most common things that can cause non-chronic (temporary) erectile dysfunction at the point you want to have sex. Click each one for a further explanation:

Possible causes of temporary erectile dysfunction:

• Cold environment
• Alcohol in your system
• Drugs, medications
• Too many orgasms in last few days or hours
• Nervousness / performance anxiety
• Stress / physical tiredness
• No direct physical contact with the penis
• Break in contact when putting on a condom
• The missionary position

So, if you came twice today, have had a few drinks and try to have sex in a cold room, you're gonna have some trouble. Try to cut out these factors.

Cold environment

Imagine you're standing outside naked in the depth of winter. Now look down. Pretty small huh? Your body is withdrawing blood from your skin to conserve heat and energy. Getting an erection in this freezing environment will be difficult, for any man. There's not much blood available to fill the penis for an erection.
Conversely, in a warm environment, getting an erection is a whole lot easier since your body allows blood to the external areas.
So, when you want have sex make sure the room is nice and warm. Then get underneath the covers and foreplay a lot so you're both nicely warmed up - a cold room can be a cause of erectile dysfunction.

Alcohol in your system

A common cause of erectile dysfunction. Alcohol is commonly used to 'loosen things up' before sex or on a night out. Problem is, alcohol dilates (widens) your blood vessels. If you manage to get an erection, the alcohol keeps the blood vessels to your penis open, the blood drains out and you're left hanging in limpland.

The effect varies greatly from person to person and depends on how much you drink, but in general if you have problems with erectile dysfunction, don't drink before sex. If you've had a few drinks and think you might be having sex soon, stop drinking asap and start drinking water. Then foreplay until you feel the effects of alcohol wear off, or forget about intercourse altogether and give her pleasure and orgasms from g spot massage or clit sex - which you should be doing anyway!

Drugs, medications

Many drugs, prescribed or otherwise, can cause erectile dysfunction. Recreational drugs that may cause erectile dysfunction include (but are not limited to):

Heroin
Cocaine
Cannabis
Alcohol
Nicotine
Methadone
Ecstasy
Speed
Lsd
Psilocybin
Barbiturates

If in doubt, cut it out.

If you are concerned that a prescribed medication you are taking may be causing erectile dysfunction, check the list of medications that can cause ED.

Too many orgasms in last few days or hours

If you are young (mid 20s or younger) this won't affect you as much - guys under 25 or so can have more orgasms without affecting their mojo (libido). However it still could be a problem. Its simple: if you came 3 times today, and hour later try to have sex again, you might find it difficult to get an erection. So, if you know you're probably going to have sex on Friday, don't come for say two or three days beforehand. Then on Friday you've a higher chance of a successful erection. This goes especially for over 25s.
The more orgasms you've had over the last few days, the less interested you'll be in sex, and the harder it'll be to get and keep an erection.
Sometimes men use masturbation to avoid premature ejaculation, i.e., they come before sex, hoping sex will last longer. Don't do this. Your mojo will be compromised. You can last as long as you want with orgasm control techniques such as stop-start and slow breathing.

Nervousness / performance anxiety

Worrying will get you nowhere. If you're nervous about 'performing' or satisfying your partner, or if its your first time with a new partner, nervousness could cause erectile dysfunction. Let's face it, not being able to get an erection is a serious dent in your pride. If you've had erectile dysfunction before, worrying about it might cause you to get it again. Solution: relax. Take your time, give your partner lots of pleasure through foreplay, g-spot stimulation and clit sex. If you're worried about premature ejaculation, this can be completely solved using male orgasm control techniques. These will give you more than ample performance in the bedroom. Stay calm, relaxed, and confident.

Stress / physical tiredness

A serious cause of erectile dysfunction. Stress from financial problems, relationships, family and work are bad for erection performance. Stress zaps your physical energy so when you finally get to the bedroom you're ready for nothing but sleep. If this is you then forget about sex. Go to sleep to recharge your batteries. If you still have problems with erectile dysfunction even when you have plenty of time, stress could still be a cause. Don't rush into intercourse. A deep relaxing massage (receiving or giving) followed by lots and lots and lots of foreplay can work wonders for erections. DON'T start thinking about whether you can get an erection or not. Relax. Escape. Forget about work or other worries for now. Just let it come.

No direct physical contact with the penis

It seems obvious but there it is: the penis needs constant direct physical contact to stay erect. As soon as your penis loses all contact (with hand / person / bed clothes or anything) you are going to lose the erection sooner or later. Think about this: no man on the planet, no matter how young or horny, can get an erection, stand up and keep the erection absolutely solid for more than say 2 minutes without some kind of physical contact. Try it. Impossible. So, apply this to your normal sex play. If you're kissing, foreplaying etc, but your penis has no direct contact, when you try to go straight to penetration, it's not gonna work. Get some direct stimulation from hands or body. Also take note of positions (see below) and watch out when putting on a condom:

Break in contact when putting on a condom

So, you've kissed, massaged, foreplayed, oralled, g-spotted and clitted. Everything is just perfect, you've got a solid erection and you're both ready for some hot sex. You jump out of bed, go to the drawer, take out a box of condoms, undo the plastic wrap, open the box, take one out, tear the top off the wrapper, gently tease out the condom, turn it the right way around even though its dark, hold the tip of the condom between your forefinger and thumb, and guess what? Limper than a piece of wet rope on the Antarctic peninsula. Why? No direct physical contact with the penis. Here's what to do.

1. Stop in the middle of foreplay, take a condom out, get it out of the wrapper and leave it on your bedside table all ready to go. Then go back to another 20-30 minutes of foreplay / g-spot / clit sex / oral sex, before you go for intercourse.
2. Make sure to be as erect as possible. Now just reach over and get the condom.
3. When you have the condom ready in your left hand, if you're not fully erect already, put your right hand on your penis and start stroking, or get your partner to do it. Get it as erect as you can before you put the condom on.
4. Stay under the covers to keep the warmth in.
5. Put the condom on and enjoy safe sex. Always check the condom for rips regularly during sex.

The missionary position

Not a cause of erectile dysfunction exactly, but more of an aggravator of it. Unfortunately the missionary is one of the worst positions to attempt penetration if you have problems with erectile dysfunction. It comes from the amount of contact with the penis. As just mentioned, the penis needs constant direct physical contact to stay erect. In the missionary, just before you attempt penetration, the main stimulation for your penis from her body is her pubic bone. The problem is your hips are between her legs and your penis is kind of just hanging there. Not great. You need soft, cushiony support to stimulate your penis into erection.

Sooooo... what you could try is the both lying / both face down position. This is where your partner lies face down and you lie face down on top of her. Now your penis has something soft to play on. Make sure to massage her back, neck and shoulders in this position, while you massage her bum with your hips and your penis. After lots of foreplay, give yourself a hand. Reach around underneath her hips and use your fingers to guide your penis in.

Other positions that aren't great for guys with some erectile dysfunction problem are: woman on top, doggy, on a chair and any of their various permutations. Stick with both lying / both face down or spoons for the moment.

If it continues

If you try all of the above advice and your problem still continues, you may have chronic erectile dysfunction. See the erectile dysfunction medical page, and see a doctor straight away. Schedule an appointment asap.

Disclaimer
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. If you have problems with erectile dysfunction or any sexual health problem, see your doctor or health care provider. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.