What should I do if I suddenly can’t get hard anymore?

Erectile dysfunction can be intervened through psychological adjustment, lifestyle improvement, drug treatment, device assistance and traditional Chinese medicine conditioning. Common causes include psychological stress, vascular disease, hormonal imbalances, nerve damage, and medication side effects.

1. Psychological adjustment:

Emotional problems such as anxiety and depression can inhibit the conduction of sexual excitement. Partners should avoid blaming and can rebuild confidence through sensory stimulation training. Elevated cortisol caused by long-term stress can also affect testosterone secretion. Mindfulness meditation or psychological counseling is recommended.

2. Improve living habits:

Smoking damages vascular endothelial function, and those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day increase their risk of developing the disease by 50%. 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week can improve blood flow, and lower-body training such as squats can promote testosterone secretion. Alcohol intake needs to be controlled below 25 grams/day.

3. Drug treatment:

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors such as sildenafil and tadalafil can enhance blood perfusion and should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Androgen replacement therapy is suitable for patients with serum testosterone <300ng/dL. Some antihypertensive and antidepressant medications may require dose adjustment.

4. Instrument assistance:

Vacuum negative pressure devices promote congestion through physical means and are suitable for patients with vascular dysfunction. Low-intensity shock wave therapy can promote angiogenesis and requires 6-8 sessions. Penile prosthesis implantation is suitable for severe patients who are ineffective with drugs.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine conditioning:

For patients with kidney yang deficiency, Yougui Pills can be used to warm and replenish kidney yang, while for patients with liver stagnation and qi stagnation, Xiaoyao Powder can be used to soothe the liver and relieve stagnation. Acupuncture selects acupuncture points such as Guanyuan and Shenshu, and the effect is better when combined with moxibustion. Treatment needs to be based on syndrome differentiation to avoid blind aphrodisiac.

You can eat more zinc-containing foods such as oysters and walnuts every day to ensure 7 hours of sleep. Warm water sitz bath can improve pelvic blood circulation and avoid oppression of the perineum from sitting for a long time. If sudden erectile dysfunction lasts for more than 1 month, underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension need to be investigated. Participating in treatment with partners can relieve psychological stress. During the recovery period, anticipatory anxiety should be reduced and a benign sexual interaction model should be established.