Ramblings about libido, testosterone, and ED

[WalrusGumBoot]

Once you experience an ED episode, can you really get over it?

Unless you are a teen and get an erection whenever the wind blows, performance seems to become more hit and miss each decade. My first ED episode happened in my late 30's, and it was just once, and I was super tired. It didn't rear it's ugly head again until a decade later. My marriage was on the rocks, anxiety was high, and really didn't feel much like having sex anyway.

Then there is the natural cycles of testosterone production and libido. Testosterone begins to increase during the night (I read around midnight) and decreases from the moment you wake up. So when there is a "traditional" date time, in the evenings, and add to that dinner and maybe some drinks, when the ladies are starting to feel in the mood is when a normal man's testosterone level is at it's lowest of the day.

What compounds the problem is that nature plays a nasty trick on men in that those that are in love produce less testosterone than those not, especially those that have children. It is probably for the good, to keep the man from straying from his family, but still it just adds the additional pressure to keep great sex going throughout a relationship, after the kiddos are tucked away in their beds, after a hard day's work when sleep is on your mind.

So what's the magical potion? Anybody figured it out? Most doctors consider your total testosterone reading over 300 to be "normal" even though at that figure, you are barely functioning. They also neglect the "free" testosterone levels, which are more important than the total testosterone reading for libido, since most of the testosterone in our bodies are bonded to other cells for a specific purpose.

I don't think the answer lies with Viagra, amino acids (such as L-Arginine), or herbs (such as Horny Goat Weed). Cenegenics seems to be onto something, keeping men fit with high libidos well into their 70's, but it is super expensive (over $1000/month after a $4000 initial visit).

Wondering if anybody has found anything that has helped counteract the lame effects of aging that has helped long term. No offense to you young guys (enjoy your spontaneous erections while you have them), but would appreciate the input of older gents here, 40's and up. I just turned 50 not so long ago.

[PEskeptic]

Heavy leg workouts in the gym have been shown to raise free testosterone levels.

[not2big]

In addition to good blood circulation, you should also maintain good lymph circulation. One of the ways to improve lymph circulation in the groin area is to exercise the groin muscles. There are specific exercises that are recommended, but leg workouts should get the job done.

I am a 69 year old diabetic with severe ED. My T level was tested to be 300 twelve months ago so I started TRT which increased my T to 700. Although my libido has shown some moderate improvement, it had no effect on my ED. I started Trimix injections six months ago which generate rock hard 2 hour erections. Apparently, the induced erections have forced additional oxygen into the damaged tissue which has helped to rehabilitat the tissue such that I now experience some moderate morning wood which I haven't seen in over ten years. It may not work as well as Cenegenics but I can get about 50 teenage quality erections out of a $70 vial of Trimix.

[Rockitman]

Modern Medicine is sometimes a double-edged sword: years ago, if you had ED, you were pretty much done, now with drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Trimix as well as hormone treatments, we can have erections like 19 year olds, but they should NOT be considered a long-term solution nor a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Herbal supplements are a nice boost, but they will not do miracles. Nothing you eat, inject or rub on yourself will have a long-term positive effect on your sexual performance like a healthy change in lifestyle.

I too am over 40, and experienced the bad marriage, bad job, no job, etc., etc. It DOES take a toll, along with the natural aging process, but I firmly believe that unless there is a severe underlying medical condition (severe HBP, physical injury, diabetes, etc.) a man can overcome these issues with clean living: nourishing mind, body and soul.

Eat right, exercise, get enough rest, find an outlet to relieve emotional trauma and/or stress: buy a self-help book, join a group, get professional counseling if you have insurance or a fat wallet. Your woman/partner should play a role in this, and be a part of the process, if not, a solo 'vision quest' is possible. Think of it as 'PE for the soul...'

JUST LIKE PE, ANY STRATEGY AND TECHNIQUE FOR PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS IN SEXUAL PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH IS A LONG-TERM COMMITTMENT. And like PE, it may pay immediate dividends, or take a while to bear fruit, but when you experience the results, even the small ones, it's like being reborn!

If you have the insight and inspiration to belong to this forum, you certainly have a grasp to be able to identify the underlying issues and come up with a game plan to tackle them, there's no hard fast rule, but just be open and honest with yourself, and LISTEN to your mind and body, the answers will come to you.

[HotRod]

Men have been searching for solutions to this sort of thing as long as there have been men. The real modern trend has to do with caring for the entire system....

It seems like the best bet is start with nutrition. No magical supplements. Start with a disciplined diet and get lots of healthy whole foods. Research high energy diets, and get lots of greens. Eliminate sugar, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine.

Get a variety of exercise with a focus on longevity, flexibility, strength, endurance.

Drop your body weight into a low normal range and stop over-eating. Most Americans over-eat every meal while the press marvels at our obesity epidemic. Most people would be surprised to learn how little they actually need to eat...and how rewarding it is to eat unprocessed fooods.

And lastly, do something about your sex life. That could include divorce, affairs, porn, masturbation, whips and chains, whatever you have to do. I believe 80% of serious ED has everything to do with relationship issues...way to complex to sort out on a forum.

I wouldn't put too much energy into "ED episodes." The truth is that it's NORMAL not to get an erection when you're not aroused. Just because you can't perform on command (whether hers or yours) doesn't mean you're dysfunctional.

[second lensman]

Warlus you youngster, I'm about to turn 63 and had my first episode when I was 18. I'd been smoking pot regularly and this has a tendency to make some of us "paranoid" around others. These episodes of impotence can happen anytime in a life time and can be do to lots of factors: mental attitude, general health, low hormone levels as you've already mentioned and boredom. Hot Rod said it best, maintain good general health both physical and mental and if you need a little chemical aid go for it without any guilt. That's my 2 cents worth.

[dsfan]

Sorry to not add much meaningful to this thread, but wow really, not one case of ed til your very late 30s?

Bleh... What's wrong with me, lol.

[LovePE]

Compound large body exercises, squats, deadlifts, lunges, chin ups, bench.

Well balanced diet with Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, raw nuts every day.

No smoking or alcohol.

Lose fat.

Decrease stress and get adequate sleep. Reduce coffee intake.

If needed, testosterone injections will surely do the trick.