Situational Erectile Dysfunction: When Should You Worry?

April 12, 2021

4 mins

Every man may experience erectile dysfunction (ED) in one form or another. A common misconception is that ED is only old men with low testosterone levels experience long-term ED. Many young men also experience ED occassionally.

Short term, or situational, erectile dysfunction can be caused by different lifestyle factors and circumstances. Lifestyle factors that can contribute to ED include drinking alcohol excessively, smoking tobacco, taking certain medications and more.

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How Do You Diagnose Situational ED?

One study found that most men experience ED 20% of the time they engage in sexual activity. However, if the problems persist consistently, it may be time to see a healthcare provider.

First, you will be asked about your health history. Chronic health coniditons like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes may increase your risk of developing situational ED. A licensed health professional will then check for any physical changes that may impact erectile function.

In some cases, a healthcare provider may want to monitor you over night to observe any changes. While it's common for sexual intimacy to dwindle as you age, it can also be a sign of a severe health complication.

What Causes Situational ED? 

There are many factors and potential causes of situational erectile dysfunction. ED can be caused by sudden changes in your mental health. Anxiety, stress, and deptession can lead to situational ED that fluctuates with your mood.

One of the more common issues found in younger men is anxiety about sexual intimact. For older men it’s often found that fatigue may be affecting their ability to maintain their erection more than it did when they were younger. 

Experiencing stress and anxiety 

Stress triggers the release of certain brain chemicals that can make it difficult to get an erection. Stress during sex can be caused by performance anxiety. Performance anxiety occurs when you feel intense stress and anxiety about being sexually intimate with a partner. This can stem from past events or a general fear of not living up to expectations.

Drinking alcohol excessively

While having a drink or two may help to dispel stress and anxiety temporarily, drinking too much can lead to severe feelings of depression.

Alcohol may affect blood flow to the penis along and alter the nervous system. Chemicals in alcohol may numb nerve endings temporarily which can impact erections and lessen the quality of orgasms. Older men will find that alcohol interferes with sex much more than it did when they were younger.

Engaging in unhealthy habits

Nitric oxide helps blood vessels relax to assist in getting and maintaining an erection. Chronic inflammation of in blood vessels can come from unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco and eating an unhealthy diet. Men who have severe obesity are more likely to experience ED than men who are not.

Feeling exhausted

Some men may feel too tired to engage in sexual activity if they have a demanding lifestyle. Fatigue can lead to erectile issues in men. This is especially common at the end of long days. Men with sleep disorders are also more likely to experience ED.

Taking certain medications

Many OTC (over-the-counter) and prescribed medications can lead to ED. The following medications have a risk of short-term ED:

• Antihistamines

• Sleep aids

• Antihypertensive medications

• Anxiety medications

• Depression medications

Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if any medications that you take are causing complications. They may be able to describe you alternate medications.

Using condoms incorrectly

Having unfamiliarity with exactly how to use a condom or having to interrupt the flow of sexual activities to put on the condom may lead to a loss of erection. However, it's more important to engage in safe sex practices than it is to feel more stimulation. Be sure to discuss any discomfort and notify a partner before removing a condom during sex.

How to Prevent Situational ED

While it’s nearly impossible to never experience ED, there are things you can do to prevent ED-related complications from occuring. Consider taking steps to quit smoking if you use nicotine and tobacco based products. Smoking tobacco can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the penis.

One key to preventing ED is maintaining a healthy diet. Be sure to follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Limit your imtake of carbohydrates and foods that are high in sugar. In some cases, certain supplements may help you reduce your risk of ED. Supplements like l-arginine and yohimbe may help improve erectile function. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you're consistently experiencing ED symptoms, be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider right away. They can help you decide on next steps for treatment. Self-diagnosis can lead to incorrect methods of treatment.

How Rex MD Can Help

Situational erectile dysfunction can be different for every man. Rex MD offers ED medications like sildenafil and tadalafil to help treat symptoms of ED.

Get started today on finding affordable methods of treatment for your ED symptoms.