What Causes Difficulty In Maintaining An Erection?

Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014

Question: hi doctor, recently while attempting to have sex with my new girlfriend i have been having some problems maintaining an erection strong enough for penetration. during foreplay i can get one easily and keep it for a while (although not continuously through foreplay) but when it comes time to penetrate and have sex I lose it after about 10 - 15 seconds of trying to get it in. I am wondering do I have a problem here and is it normal to loss an erection after this time period? Thanks for your help.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Saatiish Jhuntrraa (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer: keep your focus on pleasure Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for choosing wwwhealthcaremagic.com It seems you worry too much about your performance and ability to satisfy your girlfriend. Your focus shifts away from pleasure to worry about anxiety so you lose erection. Watching it lose hardness lowers your self confidence, worsening the situation. The crux of the problem is here. Please keep your focus on pleasure, don't monitor the state of penis, vary the style and type of foreplay. If you still can't penetrate, please clarify whether you have had penetration earlier with this partner? It is because there can be vaginismus as well. Are you taking any medicines? Dr Saatiish Jhuntrraa

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Saatiish Jhuntrraa (20 hours later)

Thank you for the reply. To answer your questions, yes we have achieved penetration before. However, there has been some problems where she has appeared to tense up slightly making it more difficult resulting in me losing my erection after around 10 - 15 seconds. I am still wondering is it normal to lose an erection after around ten seconds of not feeling aroused (worried about other things). I also seem to lose it quicker when I stand up / spread my legs, it's this a normal reaction. Also, I am not on any medication whatsoever. Am I correct in saying that if I can maintain a strong and constant erection during masturbation / foreplay that my problem is not physical and I'd psychological in nature. Thankd

Answered by Dr. Dr.Saatiish Jhuntrraa (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: please focus on pleasure Detailed Answer: Hello yes,it is possible to lose erection for some time in between. Actually, in a sexual cycle of 30 minutes, it is normal to lose erection for 3-5 times but with focus on pleasure and no anxiety, good foreplay, erection is regained. It also depends on many other factors like novelty of partner, fore play, expectations and anticipation of sex or otherwise. If your partner gets tensed up, this could be a factor. You should not insist on penetration all the time. Assure your partner of pleasure and enjoyment. This will relax her .Your problem is all in the mind, nothing between the legs. Dr Saatiish Jhuntrraa

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E