Anywhere between 15 to 30 million American men have erectile dysfunction (ED). It may feel like an embarrassment to have this condition, but the truth is, we all have troubles in bed every once in a while.
The thing is, how do you know if you’re just having an off day or if it’s something more serious (like ED)?
If you’re wondering, “Do I have erectile dysfunction?” then here are seven warning signs of ED. Do keep in mind that these symptoms need to be persistent to possibly be ED.
1. You Can’t Achieve an Erection
You might have those days where you’re just not in the mood. But your partner wants sex, so you decide to give it a try. However, despite your efforts, you can’t achieve an erection.
This is usually perfectly normal, especially if you’ve had a stressful day at work or have been fighting with your partner lately. You just might not be feeling and aren’t particularly in the mood.
But if you’re pretty clearheaded, have a great relationship going on, and actually feel in the mood for sex, and still, things aren’t happening, then you might be concerned. If it repeatedly happens, then you might have ED.
2. You Can’t Maintain an Erection
Most people know that you can’t achieve an erection with ED. However, did you know that one of the signs of erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection?
Maybe you’re raring to go and get into bed with your partner, and maybe you can get an erection for long enough to achieve penetration.
But then, you aren’t able to stay hard for a full and complete session. As you can see, that’s a problem, as well.
You might have erectile dysfunction if you can’t maintain an erection and your ability to is sporadic.
3. You Have a Low Libido
They say the brain is a major sex organ, and that’s definitely true. If you’re not in the right mindset to have sex, then you’re probably not going to be able to get and maintain an erection.
However, it’s not always in your head. There may be physical issues at play that prevent you from having a good sex life.
For example, there may be medications you’re taking that have ED as a side effect. If you’re on any prescription drugs, it may be worth it to have a chat with your doctor to see if anything is causing you to have ED.
On the other side of that coin, maybe you’re not on any medications at all, have great mental health, but still suffer from ED. In that case, you may have an undiagnosed health issue that’s preventing you from having sex.
Either way, speaking with your doctor is a good idea, as they’ll be able to see if anything physiological is causing the ED. Then, they can prescribe the right course of action to get your sex life back on track again.
4. You Have Low Testosterone
This sign might be linked to the previous section (low libido). Testosterone plays a huge role in your sex drive; even women have this hormone, which makes them desire sex.
As you get older, your testosterone levels naturally drop. This is why you tend to see older men with ED, although younger men can still get ED, as well.
You can try and help boost your testosterone level by eating foods that may help production, such as tuna, egg yolks, oysters, beef, and beans.
Male enhancement pills are easily available, as well, so you can consider those, too.
5. Premature Ejaculation
If you’ve been having issues with having successful sex, you might feel a sense of relief when you can finally get some penetration going on with your partner.
But to your horror, you might finish much too early, and this might cause some disappointment with your significant other, as well. And to make matters worse, it keeps happening.
This might actually be a sign of ED, albeit a rarer one. Don’t rule out erectile dysfunction if your issue is premature ejaculation.
6. Delayed Ejaculation
Another erectile dysfunction warning sign can be the opposite of the last section: delayed ejaculation.
In general, sexual intercourse that lasts from 10 to 30 minutes is considered “too long.” Of course, with every couple, it’ll be different, so you’ll have to consider what your normal sessions’ lengths to be.
If you’re taking significantly longer to ejaculate when compared to the norm, then you may have an issue with erectile dysfunction.
7. Inability to Ejaculate
One of the most frustrating things you might experience with ED is the complete inability to ejaculate.
You’re having successful intercourse with your partner, but try as you might, you just can’t get past the finish line. So, you end up having to call it a night, time and time again.
This can be rather frustrating, and your anxieties over it may cause it to happen more often. This is also one of the rare erectile dysfunction warning signs, but it can definitely happen still.
Know the Signs of ED
By knowing the signs of ED, then you’re more likely to spot them and take care of your issues before they get too serious.
Everyone has problems getting things going in bed sometimes, so don’t worry about it too much. Some life events may interfere with your ability to perform, so just go with the flow and have sex when you can.
If it starts being a long-term problem, then you might want to see a doctor. Sometimes, ED happens as a result of physiological reasons, so you want to make sure you’re in good health and address anything that may be hindering your sex life.
For more informative articles, please check out our other blog posts.
