There are multiple reasons why erections suddenly go away, including physical problems, psychological problems, and issues with medication or lifestyle. Erection problems aren’t uncommon, but if they are happening frequently over a period of time, it can affect a man’s self-image, self-esteem, and relationships. If a man is experiencing the frustration and embarrassment of losing his erection during sex, he should first speak to his doctor to see if there are underlying medical problems that need to be addressed.
In many situations, shockwave therapy may help correct some of the causes of losing an erection.
What Men Need to Know About How Erections Work
To understand why an erection goes away, men should first be aware of how erections work. MedlinePlus reports that for an erection to occur and be sustained, a man’s “brain, emotions, nerves, hormones, and blood vessels all need to work together.” If any of these functions are disrupted, it can lead to a man losing his erection.
An erection starts with some stimulus that creates the desire for sex. There are many physical processes involved, including the response of nerves, arteries, and veins, and blood needs to flow in the right direction at the right pressure. If there is a physical, emotional, or psychological intervention with the process, a man can lose his erection.
Cleveland Clinic reports that when the penis becomes erect, it’s due to blood rushing into two chambers in the penile tissue, called the corpora cavernosa, which contain sponge-like areas that can fill with blood. There are nerves in the penis as well as two main arteries and several veins. The arteries bring blood to the area to fill the erectile tissue, and the veins take it away.
The nerves cause the arteries to relax and open to allow blood to come to the area and fill the corpora cavernosa. Penile muscles then contract, causing the blood to remain in the penis under pressure, creating an erection.
For the erection process to work properly, the following must be true:
- There must be appropriate stimulation
- The arteries mustn’t be clogged with plaque so they can bring an adequate supply of blood to the area
- The nerves to the area must be intact
- There mustn’t be psychological thoughts, stress, anxiety, fear, anger and doubts present
If something goes wrong and interferes with the erection process at any point, a man’s erection will start to go away. Losing an erection and worrying about doing so creates psychological doubts and fears that increase the chances of losing it again. When this happens repeatedly, it creates a “vicious cycle” situation, making the situation worse.
Other situations that may lead to losing an erection include:
- Lack of desire: If a man isn’t attracted to his partner
- Outside distractions: Thoughts or worries about something other than what is going on in the bedroom, such as a phone ringing or worries about work
- Medication: According to Harvard Health Publishing, there are certain medications such as antidepressants or anti-histamines, chemotherapy drugs, high blood pressure medication, opiates, and hormones are among the medications that can interfere with libido and can make getting and sustaining erections difficult
- Surgery and medical treatments: MedlinePlus reports that some surgeries involving the penis, prostate, bladder, and intestines may result in impotence
If medications are an issue or a man suspects he has underlying physical problems and medical issues, he should talk with his doctor to see if there is something that can be fixed or if medications can be adjusted.
GAINSWave® Therapy Can Help Men Treat Their ED and Impotence
GAINSWave® is a non-invasive, in-office procedure that utilizes shockwave therapy to enhance a man’s ability to obtain and sustain an erection. Officially called low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) and commonly called shockwave therapy, the procedure involves treatments at any nationwide GAINSWave® facility. Men will likely receive treatment once or twice weekly over a period of six weeks
Treatment is given by a medical professional using a small device to deliver low-intensity, high-frequency acoustic shockwaves to the penis. The shockwaves break up plaque formation in and stimulate growth of the blood vessels of the penis, and also activate the growth of new nerve tissue in the penis through a process called neurogenesis.
Shockwave therapy stimulates the endothelium, a layer of cells that lines the arteries of the penis, which increases the production of nitric oxide (NO). NO increases blood flow through the arteries to help a man achieve a better erection and sustain it longer.
GAINSWave® therapy has no side effects, and effects from treatments can last up to three years. Interested men can check the GAINSWave® therapy provider directory to find a facility near them for a confidential evaluation to determine what treatments would work best for them.
