Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a potency disorder, expressed in the problematic achievement of an erection necessary for sexual relations. The reasons for weak erection can be different. They are usually caused by both physical and physiological factors that have a detrimental effect on the male body. Poor erection occurs even at a young age. A 2013 clinical study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine indicates that 26% of men under the age of 40 experience ED. But the situation becomes more serious with age: 40% of people over 40 have a severe condition. Read this article and find useful information about the Causes of Weak Erections and cure methods.
What is Erection
Erection is defined as an increase in the volume and hardness of the penis compared to a resting state. Its mechanism is a complex physiological process ensured by the joint activity of smooth muscle elements, as well as the nervous, vascular, and endocrine systems.
Erection begins with the relaxation of the smooth muscle component of the arteries and trabeculae of the cavernous bodies. A decrease in smooth muscle tone is usually accompanied by dilation of the cavernous and spiral arteries and accelerated blood flow penis. As a result, the penis becomes filled with blood. An increase in the volume of the corpora cavernosa towards the tunica albuginea causes compression of the venous plexus. Along with an increase in pressure in the lacunar spaces, resistance to blood outflow increases, which leads to penile rigidity.
Relaxation of the penis is a consequence of the smooth muscle contraction. Vasoconstriction, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, causes an increase in the tone of the arterial and trabecular walls. As a result, arterial inflow is reduced and lacunar spaces collapse. This is followed by decompression of the intrathecal venules and an increase in venous outflow from the lacunae, which causes the erection cessation.
What are Weak Erections?
Weak erection is usually expressed in the impossibility of increasing the volume of the penis, its hardening, and straightening, sufficient for sexual relations before ejaculation. It often leads to a loss of self-confidence.
Weak Erections Symptoms
The symptoms erectile dysfunction requiring consultation with a therapist include:
- Lack of morning erection;
- Insufficient erection for sexual relations;
- Frequent episodes of premature ejaculation;
- Decreased penile hardness during a sex act and lack of ejaculation;
- Reduction in sex drive.
Weak Erections Psychological Causes
There are many reasons that adversely affect a person’s psychological state and sexual arousal: fatigue, stress, depression, fear of the inability to perform sexual intercourse, etc. All these factors cause weak erection. Find details in the paragraphs below.
Stress
From a physiological point of view, stress is a surge in the adrenal hormones adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol, caused by the hypothalamus’ reaction to external stimuli. Norepinephrine and adrenaline act on alpha-adrenergic receptors of smooth muscle cells, including erectile tissue, causing them to spasm, which leads to loss of erection.
Anxiety
Anxiety is another common cause of a weak boner. The explanation is simple: an erection is triggered by the nervous system, but if a person is worried all the time, erectile dysfunction occurs.
Depression
Mental health disorders and depression are usually characterized by persistent low mood, sadness, and progressive pessimism. They suppress sexual desire, which leads to weak erection in youths. In addition, many drugs used in treatment (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can reduce sexual desire and impair erections.
Trauma
Psychological trauma is a specific damage to the nervous system that occurs as a result of severe stress (loss of a loved one, participation in an accident, etc.). It has a strong impact on a person’s psychological state and can provoke the development of mental and physiological problems, including decreased sexual function.
Weak Erections Lifestyle Factors
Weak erection after first round is largely due to a man’s unhealthy lifestyle. Poor diet, bad habits, as well as a sedentary lifestyle and long-term abstinence from sex worsen blood circulation in the pelvic area, which leads to a soft erection.
Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs
People who abuse alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs are at a higher risk of erectile problems, regardless of age. In this case, a weak boner is associated with slow blood flow in the veins and arteries, as well as various chronic diseases that have developed against the background of bad habits.
Lack of physical activity
Research has found that sport has a positive effect on erectile function. Regular performance of various physical exercises increases blood circulation in the groin area, maintains muscle tone, and increases the level of Testosterone. Insufficient physical activity has the opposite effect.
Poor diet
Poor nutrition also negatively affects intimate life. Eating foods that do not have the proper quality, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals leads to metabolic syndrome, decreased Testosterone, and causes ED disease.
Weak Erections Physical Causes
Physical causes of weak erections include hormonal imbalances, nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and structural abnormalities. Each cause is reviewed in detail below.
Reduced blood flow
Erection depends on the amount of blood flow to the penis. Impaired blood flow causes soft erections that are difficult to maintain.
Hormonal causes
Endocrine diseases and hormonal surges have a direct correlation with erectile function. Testosterone levels are especially important. Their decrease leads to a decrease in libido, deterioration of vascular sensitivity, and premature ejaculation.
Nerve damage
Almost all CNS parts are involved in the erection mechanism, so damage at any level weakens the erection or leads to its complete loss.
Structural abnormalities
Structural abnormalities occupy a special place among the physical causes of soft erection. These include penile injuries, congenital anomalies, curvatures, Peyronie’s disease, cancer, priapism, etc.
Medical Conditions
Modern medical practice shows that the causes of weak erection are most often associated with the unsatisfactory condition of the vessels supplying blood to the penis. The provocateurs of this process are cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerotic lesions, and hypertension.
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular system disorders are one of the most common medical causes of ED. Due to the narrowing of the arteries (due to cholesterol plaques), the blood flow to the penis is not strong enough and cannot provide a stable erection.
Diabetes
Diabetes is also a common ED cause because the disease is usually accompanied by damage to the nerves and blood vessels that provide erections.
Hypertension
In almost half of the cases, people suffering from high blood pressure report episodes of weak erections. The reason for this is a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels and their lumen, as well as the gradual formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which leads to a decrease in blood supply to the penis.
Aging and Hormonal Changes
ED can affect men of all ages but its likelihood increases after age 50 or 60. This is due to the deterioration of the condition of the vessels supplying blood to the penis, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases.
A woman’s menopause can also affect a man’s erectile function. This is a period of hormonal changes in the female body, so a woman’s libido may decrease, the quality of intimate life may deteriorate, etc. Irregular intimacy, in turn, negatively affects a man’s sexual health.
Weak Erections Treatment
Weak erection treatment is usually carried out after a comprehensive examination of the patient. PDE5 inhibitors, penile injection therapy, vacuum erection devices, and psychotherapy are effective in improving the condition.
Oral Medications
The issue of weak erection and remedies has been studied for a long time. PDE5 inhibitors such as Cialis, sildenafil Viagra, Levitra and are tihe most popular ED drugs today. You can buy the necessary medication online and solve your erection problem without any hassle.
PDE5 inhibitors work by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, which is responsible for constricting the blood vessels in the penis. Thanks to this effect, blood flows more freely to the pelvic organs, which helps to maintain a good erection.
Penile injection therapy
Penile injection therapy is an effective treatment for weak erections in men. It promotes the restoration of damaged tissues and starts regenerative processes. The effect is accumulative, but the patient feels improvement already after the first procedure.
Vacuum erection devices
Vacuum devices help achieve an erection by creating a partial vacuum and obstructing the outflow of venous blood. The device usually consists of a plastic cylinder into which the penis is inserted and a vacuum pump.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help deal with weak erections quickly and effectively since the condition often occurs due to psychological reasons.
Summary
Inflammatory diseases of the prostate gland, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular conditions, and hypertension occupy a leading place among the causes of erectile dysfunction. Stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma play an equally important role. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following the recommendations of a doctor is the key to successful treatment.
FAQ
What causes weak erection in a man?
Psychological disorders (stress, anxiety, depression), physical health features (reduced blood flow, hormonal causes, nerve damage, structural abnormalities), medical conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension), and lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol) can cause weak erections in men.
How does aging affect erections?
Aging causes a gradual decrease in the frequency, strength, and duration of erections. This is due to the deterioration of the vascular condition and the development of concomitant diseases.
What medications can cause weak erections?
Diuretics (spironolactone, verospiron, chlorthalidone, furosemide) most often cause erectile dysfunction. They lead to an increase in estradiol and a decrease in androgens, which worsens libido and potency.
Can obesity contribute to weak erections?
Obesity can disrupt the erection mechanism, as it is accompanied by suppressed production of male hormones androgens.
