# Erection Dysfunction --- Help **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 9, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977 "2003-08-09T03:57:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Homer\_J.Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a698b9/32.png) [@Homer\_J.Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J.Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/1 "2003-08-09T03:57:53Z")
So I have some erection problems. It is not that I can’t get an erection, I just can’t get a very firm erection. It is strong enough for a blow-job or a hand-job, but not for penetration. This didn’t use to be a problem and as someone in their 20’s I find this very disturbing. Is this something to see a doctor about? What are the likely treatements? Is there any way this could cure itself? The one problem is I am out of work and do not have insurance. Will this cost a lot to cure? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/2 "2003-08-09T04:09:14Z")
Being out of work can cause a problem. Can’t you see a doctor at a county hospital? Or maybe Planned Parenthood can help or refer you. Most problems can be fixed, thanks to guys who come forward. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Gest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Gest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gest)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/3 "2003-08-09T06:34:53Z")
I remember reading somewhere that most erectile dysfunction has a physical as opposed to psychological basis as is commonly thought. Performance anxiety won’t help of course, but it generally starts somewhere else. High blood pressure or vascular constriction is often culprit. Do you smoke, drink much, do drugs or have a sedentary lifestyle? I’d be surprised if the answer was no to all the above. I’m not making a value judgment (it would be of no use to you if I was) but as I’ve recently found, it’s easy to be taken to task for even asking such a question. If I guessed right, I’d advise you to deal with any of these issues first. If you give that a go and still no wood, _then_ would be the time to start looking for a _cure_. ---
**Author:** ![FyreFiend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@FyreFiend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FyreFiend)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/4 "2003-08-09T07:41:47Z")
**Homer** : Are you on any meds? I know when I was on paxil I had a (forgive the pun) a hard time getting fully hard. I switched to Zoloft (for other reasons) and that problem went away. Now it just takes me forever to finish (Yes, you can last too long). Just something else to rule out. ---
**Author:** ![FyreFiend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@FyreFiend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FyreFiend)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/5 "2003-08-09T07:44:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\* > \ > Or maybe Planned Parenthood can help or refer you. > \ > \*\* Planned Parenthood sees guys? I did not know that. Every time I’ve ever dropped my g/f off there I only saw women in the waiting room (and they all gave me the hairy eyeball). ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/6 "2003-08-09T14:59:40Z")
Does the PPFA help men? I don’t know. They helped friends of mine some years ago to have a child. And they did not give you the “hairy eyeball”. 😛 Erectile dysfunction can have physical as well as psychological causes. ---
**Author:** ![Homer\_J.Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a698b9/32.png) [@Homer\_J.Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J.Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/7 "2003-08-09T17:33:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Do you smoke, drink much, do drugs or have a sedentary lifestyle? No, to all three. No meds either. ---
**Author:** ![Homer\_J.Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a698b9/32.png) [@Homer\_J.Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J.Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/8 "2003-08-09T17:35:23Z")
I have also recently had this problem. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202878](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=202878) ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/9 "2003-08-09T17:44:34Z")
Since you don’t have insurance, you can pretty much forget about getting a script for Viagra®. The stuff’s way expensive, and even if you did have insurance, a lot of companies don’t cover it because it’s considered a “lifestyle drug.” You said you’re able to achieve an erection, just that it isn’t strong enough for penetration. You might consider buying a cock ring that you can slip on either when you’re still flaccid, or when you get as hard as you think you’re going to get. It doesn’t have to be the leather studded kind; you can get a simple rubber ring that you can slip around the penis and testicles. (Be careful of pubes.) Rubber cock rings are inexpensive, and can be found at sex shops. What it does is keep the blood from flowing out of the penis, thereby maintaining (and hopefully, increasing) the strength of the erection. Just be sure to remove it once you’re done. ---
**Author:** ![Homer\_J.Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a698b9/32.png) [@Homer\_J.Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer_J.Simpson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2003, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/10 "2003-08-09T20:48:52Z")
Looking at PP’s webiste it looks like the only services for men are: - screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV - special services for teenagers who need family planning information and service - a Facts of Life Line, which provides information on reproductive health and family planning ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/11 "2003-08-10T01:44:33Z")
No eyeball waxing? But seriously, folks, there is a simple test to see whether the ED has a physical basis or not. If you get hardons in your sleep, your problem is not physical. Take a connected series of old-fashioned postage stamps (the kind you have to lick to stick, with the little perforations between them). Wrap them snugly around your _schwanz_ shaft before sleeping and fasten. If they’re still unbroken in the morning, it means you didn’t get a boner in the night, and your problem is physical. ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erection-dysfunction-help/193977/12 "2003-08-10T02:43:02Z")
Getting much sleep lately? I have this problem often when I’ve been having difficulty sleeping, especially for multiple consecutive nights. Hope it all works out for you, man! Barry