Horny goat weed worked, then stopped working...

[squiddog Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close squiddog]

I have been having EQ problems for probably over a year on occasion, say 1-2 times for every 5 times my wife and I have sex. She could be going to town on me and I am just flaccid. Its ridiculous, I'm 41 and too young for this.

This may be correlated to when I started taking testosterone injections at the doctors guidance for low-T. Before then I was pretty close to being a premature ejaculator, I would only last a minute or less but never had EQ problems. Since taking the T I have lasted a lot longer which was initially a good thing but has progressed into the current situation.

I recognize that diet/fitness is an issue, I am marginally overweight at about 265 and drink a lot of pop. I had hoped that while I try to fix that (not easy to change bad habits!), that some supplements could help so that I can still have almost nightly sex.

I purchased HGW from Zhou Nutrition off of Amazon and started taking the daily recommended dose of 2 capsules a few weeks ago. After a week I noticed significant improvement of EQ, i.e. rock hard and longer lasting... That lasted for a week then suddenly it disappeared, just like that... last night she was all over me and just... nothing.

I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience with HGW working and then not, and if there is anything I could try adjusting to get it going again. I am not looking to buy add'l supps. here, and I am also aware of the icariin percentage thing, I am just wondering why it would work and then stop. Its so weird.

The only thing I can think of... is that it worked before xmas vacation, and stopped during xmas vacation, so maybe it has to do with "taking it with food", because my meal pattern totally changed when vacation started, I was not eating in the morning at all whereas before I would eat about 30-60 minutes after taking the HGW. I guess I will find out now that I am back to work, but in the meantime I would love to hear any ideas.

Thanks!
Dave

[colorblind72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close colorblind72]

Generally supplements should be taken on an empty stomach.
I can relate to your situation.
I'm 43 and my ability to get and stay erect fell off last year.
Had my T tested and it is low.
Not low enough for them to give me shots.
So I took the natural route to try and adjust this.
I take every morning.

*********
L-arginine/L-citruline
Zinc
Calcium-magnesium
Flower pollen
Pygeum-Saw palmetto
And a male libido complex which has a few other odds and ends in it.

I exercise regularly.

I have dropped from 262 to under 240 and am working to be under 200 pounds.
I do PE, ADS and stretching and sometimes dry jelques.

All of this has helped.
I can now get a pretty decent erection.
At least a 7 out of 10.
But I cannot keep it.

So I wear a cockring.
I have two I use regularly.
A rubber O-ring and a steel cock and ball ring that Jacko helped me size.
As long as I'm stimulated and engaged in sex, keeping a hard on is no problem.
So its a short term solution.

My last thought is that taking T shots also drives up your estrogen.
Which could be effecting your EQ.
Good luck in figuring our your problem.

[FossilHead Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close FossilHead]

colorblind mentioned some good supplements.....there are a number that help with vasodilation and EQ.
I might suggest you rotate off the HGW for a bit, and 'replace' it with one or more of those that he suggested, or some of the following:
Niacin Supplements

Niacin, or vitamin B-3, supplements are available in the form of nicotinamide, or in the form of over-the-counter nicotinic acid preparations. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that nicotinic acid can cause a 10-percent reduction in the total blood cholesterol, a 27 percent in the development of nonfatal heart attacks and another 20 percent reduction in the incidence of stroke. Nicotinic acid is also a potent vasodilator, and high doses of niacin supplement in the form of nicotinic acid may cause dilation of superficial blood vessels of the face clinically observed as flushing of the face. The usual adult dose is 100 milligrams three times daily. Maximum recommended dose is 2000-3000mg per day.
Magnesium Supplements

According to Linus Pauling Institute, magnesium supplemented at a dose of 730 milligrams per day can cause a 12-percent improvement in the normal dilation response of arteries. Magnesium supplementation may also decrease artery wall dysfunction, resulting in better blood circulation. As a consequence of better blood flow, more blood can reach the heart and the muscles of both upper and lower extremities, potentially leading to a noticeable improvement in overall exercise and physical stress tolerance.

Nitric Oxide and/or Arginine Supplements

Arginine is conditionally essential amino acid because you need to consume dietary arginine, although it can also be synthesized from other amino acids within the body. Arginine is the raw material for production of nitric oxide in the body, a chemical also known as endothelium-derived relaxation factor. Nitric oxide causes vasodilation, making it useful in the maintenance of normal blood pressure and healthy heart circulation. A daily dose of 6 to 30 grams daily is considered safe and may be beneficial for health. Arguably the best form is Arginine Alpha Keto Glutarate. Also important is the Arginine metabolite, Citrulline Malate, especially when taken in conjunction with an Arginine supplement.

Green Tea
Drink green tea two to three times a day. According to the University of Maryland, green tea acts both as an antioxidant and protection against atherosclerosis, a condition in which the blood vessels are narrowed by plaque. Additionally, green tea lowers total cholesterol and increases your levels of "good" cholesterol. Left untreated, high levels of cholesterol can also lead to narrowing of your arteries and blood vessels. Green tea's many health benefits may also allow the blood vessels in your body to dilate by decreasing substances that cause constriction.

Ginkgo Biloba
Take a ginkgo biloba supplement daily. Clayton College of Natural Health says that ginkgo enhances blood flow and is used in naturopathic medicine to improve cognitive function. Ginkgo also improves the structure of the blood vessels and can help relieve vascular problems that cause constriction. Suggested dosage is 120-240mg per day in divided doses.

Hawthorn and Garlic
Natural vasodilators. Recommended dosage of hawthorn berry extract is 160-900mg per day, and garlic extract in the amount of 300-1200mg per day.

[mistercrowley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mistercrowley]

I have been having EQ problems for probably over a year on occasion, say 1-2 times for every 5 times my wife and I have sex. She could be going to town on me and I am just flaccid. Its ridiculous, I'm 41 and too young for this.

This may be correlated to when I started taking testosterone injections at the doctors guidance for low-T. Before then I was pretty close to being a premature ejaculator, I would only last a minute or less but never had EQ problems. Since taking the T I have lasted a lot longer which was initially a good thing but has progressed into the current situation.

I recognize that diet/fitness is an issue, I am marginally overweight at about 265 and drink a lot of pop. I had hoped that while I try to fix that (not easy to change bad habits!), that some supplements could help so that I can still have almost nightly sex.

I purchased HGW from Zhou Nutrition off of Amazon and started taking the daily recommended dose of 2 capsules a few weeks ago. After a week I noticed significant improvement of EQ, i.e. rock hard and longer lasting... That lasted for a week then suddenly it disappeared, just like that... last night she was all over me and just... nothing.

I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience with HGW working and then not, and if there is anything I could try adjusting to get it going again. I am not looking to buy add'l supps. here, and I am also aware of the icariin percentage thing, I am just wondering why it would work and then stop. Its so weird.

The only thing I can think of... is that it worked before xmas vacation, and stopped during xmas vacation, so maybe it has to do with "taking it with food", because my meal pattern totally changed when vacation started, I was not eating in the morning at all whereas before I would eat about 30-60 minutes after taking the HGW. I guess I will find out now that I am back to work, but in the meantime I would love to hear any ideas.

Thanks!
Dave

I think it is worth pointing out that your experiences parallel some things that happened to me. When I began having intermittent problems with an erection I also took HGW. At first it worked great. I could tell a significant change in the quality of my erections and the ability to maintain one during sex. I think noticing any difference increased my confidence. But the honeymoon was short. Once it was no longer "new" it didn't work any longer. That's because it had nothing to do with the supplements. Sure, you may have the same thing happen to you if you take L-Arginine and L-Citruline, or Yohimbe, or drink erection tea, or get testosterone injections. Supplements and testosterone may not be your problem at all. You already put out a shame title on yourself by saying you are "too young for this." I'm 35 and it started happening to me when I was 30. You also mentioned that you are overweight. I used that as an excuse too at one point. What I'm saying is don't tie this problem directly to something that is physical because if you "fix" all the physical problems and are still left with going flaccid during sexual activity it will be a traumatic realization, trust me. I suggest you also consider if there are any mental roadblocks to having a good EQ. From my experience the brain is the biggest cock blocker there is.

• Do you watch porn on a regular basis?
• How often do you masturbate?
• Are there any other unhealthy practices you do? Smoking, drinking?
• How often do you exercise?
• Have you ever thought to yourself, "if I DIDN'T do this or if I DID do that, I wouldn't have had a problem"?
• Do you ever think to yourself, "if I was more in shape this wouldn't happen"? or "if I looked more fit my wife would be more attracted to me and this wouldn't happen"?
• When you go flaccid during sexual activity do you have any physiological changes? Flushing face, feeling shaky, your head is cloudy or confused, feeling agitated or anxious?

You may want to honestly answer some of those questions, at least to yourself, to determine if this is something physical or mental or both. Otherwise you could end up taking 5 grams of X, 500 mg of Y, 250 mg Z, 100 mg of A, B and C and still have problems.

[squiddog Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close squiddog]

Thanks for the replies. To address some of your comments:
- I tried a cockring but I did not stay hard masturbating with it.
- I exercise 2-4 times per week both strength training and cardio (cardio not as regularly) but aside from the wonderful dinners my wife prepares, my diet is piss poor.
- I am not really interested in starting a "stack" of supplements... at least not yet. I do believe improving my general health is #1 priority but was hoping to get some help in the meantime (you see I am drinking my 2nd soda of the day already so my willpower is crap)
- I have been looking at porn on Reddit lately when in the crapper but I don't think its too much. Probably a lot less than I used to.
- Masturbation is a chore now, I cannot stay hard during it so I end up with a soft ejaculation if I keep going at it. As a result I do not do this often anymore.
- I have huge morning wood so I do not think there is a physical problem, I can get a starting erection during sex sessions but I lose it swiftly and have a hard time getting it back, if at all
- No smoking or drinking, just pop
- I definitely am not ruling out mental issues, but its hard to pinpoint, if at all. She got in shape and looks great, and her sexual stamina and enthusiasm has improved tenfold, this should get me super excited, and it does. So why I am having issues, its hard to say. I do acknowledge the idea that the more it occurs, the more I am apt to think about it happening and the vicious circle happens. But generally I go into sex with a clear head, not thinking about this unless I do not perform as expected.

I am going to discuss with doctor at my next physical. I do think there is a correlation between starting the T shots and this occurring. But man, I do not want to go back to being a quick finisher like I was before (if I were to stop the T). My sex life, when it works, has been fantastic because of my new-found longevity.

[mistercrowley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mistercrowley]

My advice would be to avoid testosterone shots and try to do things to increase your testosterone naturally; diet, high-intensity exercise, 8 hours of sleep a night, reduction of cortisol by removing stressors in your life (or learning to cope better with stress), zinc supplements, Vitamin D supplements or more sunlight, fish oil, olive oil and coconut oil and nix the sugar. To work on the pre E begin the JP90 program and get good at mastering edging.

I also highly suggest seeing a therapist that deals with anxiety and sexual performance. You do not want to get caught in an anxiety loop so it's better to head it off at the pass now before you remove everything else that could have been the reason for your ED and all that's left is the anxiety. That's what I did, it wasn't very fun learning that after all the effort I put in to try and remove this problem my brain was actually the problem all along.