Pumps, rings aid erections
Q: I have a problem with getting an erection. Could you give me some suggestions?
A: Failure to get an erection is often created or made worse by anxiety. If other worries and anxieties are on your mind, your body won’t relax and you won’t get aroused sexually.
Don’t set your sights too high. Focus on relaxing. Enjoy what is happening, rather than getting upset about what isn’t happening. Enjoy touching, hugging and caressing, even if you don’t get an erection. The more relaxed you learn to become, the more your body will respond sexually.
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See your family doctor and have a complete medical checkup. You may be referred to a urologist, who will check for physical disorders in your groin area, and recommend whatever help is best for you.
Men have two types of problems with erections. Some men cannot get an erection that is hard enough for them to have intercourse with their partner. Other men have a problem maintaining their erection during intercourse. They go soft before they can achieve ejaculation.
Years ago, men had to resort to using an elastic “penis ring.” It was placed on the penis near the base after they got an erection. This ring trapped blood in the penis and kept it erect until the ring was taken off.
The penis pump now does a better job. It is placed over the flaccid penis. By pumping air out of the pump, a vacuum is created that causes blood to rush into the penis, thus giving an erection. A ring is then slid onto the base of the penis, the vacuum valve is released and the pump removed. After intercourse the ring is slid off, the trapped blood leaves the penis and the erection goes away.
See your doctor before buying a pump. If you do, the pump qualifies for an income tax deduction as a medical appliance. You can order pumps through drug stores, but in my opinion, the best quality and best price is available by mail-order from Jovan-Educational Services, Box 21062, RPO Charleswood, Winnipeg, Man. R3R 3R3, phone 204-832-2058.
Viagra of course is the most recent help available to men who can’t get or maintain an erection. It is available by prescription in Canada, but costs between $8 and $12 a pill, depending on dispensing fees. Viagra must be prescribed by a doctor. It is not recommended for men who have serious heart conditions or are at risk for strokes. It can be fatal for men who are also taking nitroglycerin.
Again, every drug has some risk and possible side effects, so a man should not consider Viagra until he and his doctor have discussed the pros and cons, and explored other options.
Older men, who are more likely to take Viagra, are more prone to heart attacks if they over-exert themselves. Some men who wanted Viagra tried to hide from their doctor that they were taking nitroglycerin, which could be a fatal combination. So if you see your doctor for Viagra, be honest, and don’t overdo things when it works.
It is important for men to realize that love and sex don’t mean the same thing. A man and woman can cuddle, touch, stroke and be intimate with each other without having sexual intercourse.
Intercourse is a part – and not even an absolutely necessary part – of love-making. Most important are the feeling and affections that accompany whatever level of sexual intimacy they choose or are able to share.
