Poor quality erections due to lifestyle??

[scottydawg]

The last two times I've been in bed with a girl (one was a one-night stand, the other was a girl I'd just started seeing) I couldn't get a decent erection. In both cases I was fully turned on and didn't feel any lack of confidence etc. I wasn't completely flaccid; it was kind of half-erect, not hard enough to get inside her.

This has never happened to me before (I'm 25 years old). I've also noticed that even when I masturbate my erections are not as hard as they normally are. I'm beginning to think my lifestyle has a lot to do with it. I'm not hugely overweight but am a little chubbier than I should be, and my diet contains a lot of fast food/junk food and not enough fresh stuff. I smoke about 10 cigarettes a day and drink too much alcohol, caffeine and sugary juice. I don't get much exercise.

This might be the biggest "duh" ever asked on this foum, but do you think this is the reason behind my lack of a decent erection? If ever there was an incentive to get healthy again, this is it!!

[mattc]

I'd advise you see a doctor. The smoking isn't helping, the sugar could be causing you problems as well. Even so, plenty of people live unhealthy lives and don't have erection problems. If it was just intercourse based I'd say don't worry about it, it's probably nerves as well but if you're not getting fully erect by yourself you might have a problem.

[Brandye]

DDDUUUHHH!!! Your body is acting as though it were 60. You identify why that is.

[scottydawg]

Yeah, I thought as much. I guess this shows how flippant younger guys can be when it comes to their health. We don't think of what'll happen ten or twenty years down the line; it took something like this to wake me up.

Since the second time this happened I haven't had the desire to smoke a cigarette and I think I've only had one small coffee with no sugar. I'm going to cut out alcohol and junk food completely for a while until I get to a good level of fitness, and after that I'll have them only occasionally. And yes mattc, I think your advice about seeing my doctor is pretty good as well.

[lnt1103]

One thing I've heard about dieting, is that you shouldn't try to completely zero out too many things at once because the pressure will become too much and people don't stick with it. I'd say, keep the cigs zeroed out (congrats!), but moderate the rest to a couple times a week max. That and some exercise, you'll be amazed at what you accomplish.

[Brandye]

The exercise is just as important as the diet.

[scottydawg]

Hey guys, some good news...

In the time since I last posted, I've not had a single cigarette or drink (I'm planning on only doing it in moderation when I start back) and have improved my diet. I've also been down the gym and playing a bit of soccer and basketball - OK, I've been exhausted after a few minutes, but it's a start!

The result? Everything down below is back to full working order! I'm still planning on going to my doctor for a general health check-up, and I'll mention the poor erections then, whether or not they come back again. Cheers!!

[Massdebator]

Congratulations. Continue to take care of your body and it will continue to reward and surprise you! Best of luck in making this self-improvement kick you're on a more permanent thing.