Sudden erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a confusing and alarming experience. It can happen without any warning and leave you feeling uncertain about what is happening to your body.
Know that you are not alone, though.
In this blog, we will discuss the causes of sudden erectile dysfunction as well as the treatments available to you. We hope that this information will help you feel more confident and informed about what’s happening in your day-to-day life.
What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that can affect any man and results in the inability to achieve an erection or maintain an erection during sexual intercourse. ED can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical or psychological issues such as stress and anxiety.
The erect penis contains spongy matter that fills with blood and becomes rigid during sexual arousal. This process is regulated by hormones and nerve impulses which, if interrupted, can cause erectile dysfunction.
There are a multitude of symptoms of erectile dysfunction and they include:
- Inability to achieve an erection.
- Inability to maintain an erection long enough to complete intercourse.
- Inability to ejaculate.
- Emotional issues such as embarrassment, shame, anxiety, and decreased libido.
- Decreased sensation and pleasure.
- Difficulty maintaining firmness until your partner is satisfied.
- Inability to achieve or maintain firmness for or during intercourse.
- A lack of desire or avoidance of intercourse or intimate moments.
- Peyronie’s Disease, which causes an angle that causes pain or the inability to have intercourse.
Our page on erectile dysfunction offers a great resource for more information about what to look out for.
How can I get diagnosed with ED?
Typically, all that is required for an ED diagnosis is a blood test and medical history. An appropriate ED treatment can then be recommended. If you have any underlying health conditions and your medical professional suspects that it could be the root cause, then further testing may be required.
How come ED can happen suddenly?
Erectile dysfunction typically develops gradually. However, it can come on suddenly or seemingly out of the blue — in which case it is called sudden erectile dysfunction. It has the same effect of being unable to have or maintain a full erection, but rather than developing over time, it happens abruptly and with no notice. This can make it extremely unsettling.
Often, a sudden onset of erectile dysfunction is caused by medication or a psychological issue. In some cases, it can be more than one problem causing issues. We discuss the causes of sudden ED in more detail below.
Who can get sudden erectile dysfunction?
While erectile dysfunction is sometimes thought to only affect older men, there is new evidence that the disease can be found in younger males. Several extensive studies estimate around 30% of young adult males have experienced some form of ED-related complications by their early 40s.
What causes erectile dysfunction to happen suddenly or overtime?
There are various factors that can cause sudden and onset erectile dysfunction. Some of the most common reasons are as follows:
Medical
- Vascular issues. Sudden ED can be a result of an underlying condition such as atherosclerosis — a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries leading to blockage and impaired blood flow. The majority of cases involving ED are thought to have a link with some type of cardiovascular disorder, most commonly atherosclerosis.
- Endocrine and/or metabolic disorders such as diabetes. In men, erectile failure has been shown to be linked to diabetes and poor blood sugar control. In fact, studies have shown that men with diabetes are three times more at risk of ED than non-diabetic men.
- Prostate cancer treatments. The first-line therapies for prostate cancer are surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy, all of which can impact sexual function by affecting nerves or hormones. ED is one of the most common complications of prostate cancer treatment.
- Many different types of medications can contribute to erectile dysfunction, ranging from prescription medications, including blood pressure medications, sedatives, appetite suppressants, and antidepressants.
- Neurological disorders. Multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and multiple traumatic brain injuries have been shown to cause ED.
Physical
- Injury to the penis, prostate, or bladder. Injury to the nerves that supply and control erections can cause ED.
Lifestyle
- Obesity or being overweight.
- Excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of ED. Episodic erectile failure is significantly higher in men consuming more than three standard units of alcohol a day. One study found that 72% of men who drink heavily encounter erectile dysfunction.
- Smoking or recreational drug use. Smoking cigarettes causes the arteries to narrow, which slows blood flow through them.
- A lack of physical activity has been linked to an increased risk of ED, as well as heart disease and diabetes. The common health problems associated with obesity such as high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol are all known to affect sexual health. Studies suggest that this relationship between ED and obesity may be the result of changes in testosterone and blood sugar levels.
Psychological
- Chronic stress can contribute to psychological conditions such as depression, which in turn can lead to ED.
- Anxiety.
- Low self-esteem.
- Guilt or fear related to stress.
Is sudden erectile dysfunction curable?
The short answer is: Yes! But you often need to diagnose the root causes first. By treating the root, rather than just the symptoms, you are more likely to achieve effective, faster, and longer-lasting results.
7 treatments for sudden ED
If you are experiencing symptoms of sudden ED, don’t panic. There are actions you can take to treat it, as well as prevent it in the future. We cover seven of them below.
- Diet
Research published in 2020 found that diets high in vegetables, nuts, and other healthy fats can help prevent erectile dysfunction. You should also consider avoiding processed and red meats and alcohol, which can exacerbate or cause sudden erectile dysfunction.
- Exercise
There is a strong link between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Researchers have found that it can be related to lack of physical exercise, obesity, and high blood pressure. As such, incorporating more exercise and physical activity into your lifestyle may help with sudden ED.
- LimitlessPulse™
LimitlessPulse™ Focused Wave Therapy is a clinically proven procedure that is a safe and effective treatment for sudden ED. It is designed to target more and deeper blood vessels than traditional Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for more optimal and longer-lasting results.
LimitlessPulse™ penetrates penile tissue (up to 3x deeper than previous models) to help restore and rebuild blood vessels in the penis.
- LimitlessRessurect™ (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
The LimitlessResurrect™ treatment is a safe, non-pharmaceutical way to treat and potentially reverse the root cause of erectile dysfunction, with benefits lasting from 12 up to 18 months. The activated platelet-rich plasma instigates a healing response that rebuilds, rejuvenates, and revitalizes the penis. As such, it can have a dramatic effect on your sex life, self-image, and relationships.
- Oral ED medication
PDE5 inhibitors are an effective and efficient treatment for sudden ED and can help improve sexual performance.
Zeus and Hercules are custom oral ED medications that combine three sexual enhancing drugs for ultimate performance. This 3-in-1 rapid dissolve tablet includes PT-141, Oxytocin, and Tadalafil (generic Cialis®) or Sildenafil (generic Viagra®). Watch this video to learn more.
Oxytocin, referred to as the “love hormone,” is a neuropeptide that mainly functions in the central nervous system to increase bonding and sexual stimulation. PT-141 and Oxytocin are combined with Sildenafil (generic Viagra®) to increase sexual desire and blood flow to the penis, creating harder, longer-lasting erections.
- QuadMix and TriMix
If you are struggling with sudden ED, TriMix and QuadMix are safe, non-surgical alternatives to treat it. They provide prompt and lasting erections, which enable you to regain intimacy and strengthen your relationship.
- PT-141 Peptide Therapy
PT-141, also known as Bremelanotide, works directly through the nervous system to increase arousal, desire, and sexual satisfaction. Treatments such as Viagra and Cialis work through the vascular system and therefore only give you the ability to achieve an erection. PT-141 also gives you the desire and motivation along with the ability to achieve an erection, returning the intimacy and passion to your relationship.
Are you a candidate for sudden ED therapy?
Is ED negatively affecting your relationship? Erectile dysfunction is more than just being able to achieve and maintain an erection. There are physical, psychological, social, and medical reasons that could be holding you back.
If you think you might be a candidate for our ED treatments and therapies, take our quiz to find out.
