What causes softness or hardness?

Insufficient penile erection may be caused by psychological stress, vascular dysfunction, abnormal hormone levels, chronic diseases or drug side effects.

1. Psychological pressure:

Long-term anxiety, depression or partner tension can inhibit the conduction of sexual excitement, resulting in insufficient erection hardness. Typical findings include distractibility during intercourse and reduced morning erections but normal monitoring of nighttime erections. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological counseling with partners can effectively improve symptoms, and can be combined with short-term drug treatment if necessary.

2. Blood vessel problems:

Atherosclerosis or venous insufficiency directly affects penile blood perfusion, and about 40% of erectile dysfunction is related to this. It may be accompanied by metabolic abnormalities such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and vascular ultrasound examination can confirm the diagnosis. Improving lifestyle and combining phosphodiesterase inhibitors are the main treatments.

3. Hormone imbalance:

Testosterone levels below 3.5ng/ml will significantly reduce erection quality, which is common in middle-aged and elderly men or those with pituitary dysfunction. Along with symptoms such as loss of sexual desire and loss of body hair, blood tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. Hormone replacement therapy requires strict monitoring of prostate-specific antigen levels.

4. Chronic diseases:

Diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis can damage neurovascular function, and about 50% of diabetic patients will suffer from erectile dysfunction. Such patients often suffer from typical symptoms such as numbness of hands and feet and slow wound healing, and require a combination of primary disease control and symptomatic treatment.

5. Drug effects:

More than 200 drugs, including antidepressants and antihypertensive drugs, may interfere with erectile function, usually 2-4 weeks after taking the drugs. It manifests as a sudden decrease in hardness but normal sexual desire. Adjusting the medication regimen or changing the type of medication can alleviate the symptoms.

It is recommended to maintain regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking and swimming at least 3 times a week to promote blood circulation.； Increase the intake of arginine-rich foods such as deep-sea fish and nuts ； Avoid staying up late and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. The night erection test can be used as a preliminary self-examination method. If the morning erection disappears for two consecutive weeks or the sexual life failure rate exceeds 70%, you should promptly go to the men's clinic for professional examinations such as International Erectile Function Index Questionnaire Assessment and Penile Blood Flow Doppler. For organic problems, early interventional treatment can significantly improve the prognosis.