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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Male -- Erections > Erection goes away just before sex
    Posted on: 05/25/2004

    Question

    my girlfriend has given me a hand job and i had no problem getting an erection, and every time we make out i get hard, but then when we are about to have sex i lose my erection and cant get it back, this has happenned twice what is wrong why cant i get an erection right when we are about to do something

    Submitted on 05/10/04 at 11:08:41


    Answer

    There is a good deal of information we don't have about you which makes my answer a bit general so I hope this helps and gives you the information you need.

    The mechanism of erection and ejaculation is only part physical and the rest purely emotional. Inability to achieve an erection strong enough for penetration and intercourse is a COMMON problem.

    It usually does NOT indicate a physical problem, especially in young men. It is not uncommon for a young man to have an erection problem once and then worry so much about it that he has trouble with achieving an erection later.

    In addition, if the mood or place is not right you might lose your erection and not be able to complete intercourse. How you feel about intercourse or your relationship with your partner may also play a part.

    The other things that can influence erection, ejaculation and sexual performance are smoking, alcohol, drugs, depression and anxiety.

    If you wake up in the morning with an erection or are able to masturbate then there usually is nothing physically wrong. It implies that the situation is more emotional than something wrong with the physical mechanism of erection.

    I hope this helps answer your question. If you continue to have problems you might consider talking to a doctor or other health care provider.


    Answered By:
    Steve Johnson , PA-C


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