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Erection Concerns (Expert Forum)
Erection firmness issues
Answered by
Janice M Epp, PhD - Female sexual issues, Adolescent sexuality, Male sexual issues
Private Practice
Palo Alto - CA
Questions in the Erection Concerns Forum are being answered by Janice M Epp, PhD, a Clinical Sexologist from The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. This forum is for questions and discussions about the psychological aspects of Erection problems
Erection firmness issues
by intoxica7e, Jul 19, 2008 03:15AM
I'm a 20 year old male. Over the past couple of weeks I've had a problem achieving a full erection. I'm able to get an erection, but not hard enough to penetrate my partner. I also noticed that while masturbating I only achieve the same 'semi-hard' erection, even during orgasm. The only medication I'm currently taking is Minocycline for acne (around 125 mg per day), and I've also been smoking marijuana about once daily. I currently have no other health issues that I'm aware of. I originally suspected that this was a psychological issue related to having a new sexual partner until I noticed the same issue while masturbating alone. Any ideas as to what the cause of this issue is?
Doctor's Answer
by Janice M Epp, PhD, Jul 21, 2008 03:41PM
, Jul 21, 2008 03:41PM
To: intoxica7e
Hi. First, this forum is for discussion of emotional/psychological issues. If you want a medical opinion, you might consider reposting this in the Urology Expert forum.
I’m not aware that Minocycline has any sexual side effects. Marijuana generally does not have sexual side effects, but everyone reacts differently to regular intake. In some, it enhances sexual desire; however, others find it distracts them sexually and can interfere with erection and/or orgasm. If you’re concerned about this, refrain from smoking for a week and see if there’s any change.
Another test of whether your condition is physically related: when you wake up, do you notice your erections are firmer than during partner sex or self-pleasuring? If so, then your body is working fine—it’s your heart/brain that’s getting in the way once you’re fully awake.
And why would this be? Some possibilities for you to explore: You may be feeling anxious about erection, which can be a vicious circle. The more you worry about erections, the more your penis won’t cooperate. Men receive so many messages that sex is about “performance” and pleasing a partner, rather than just enjoying the pleasure of it. Everything is goal-oriented—like a football game. The other message that many men receive is that sex is somehow dirty and wrong, unless you’re doing it for reproductive purposes. Sometimes this can creep into our unconscious thoughts and sabotage any pleasure. Ask yourself whether you have any conflicts about being sexual—any old messages that might be lurking in your subconscious.
If none of the above are true for you, see your physician for a check-up, because you might have a medical condition that needs attention. Good luck! Dr. J
I’m not aware that Minocycline has any sexual side effects. Marijuana generally does not have sexual side effects, but everyone reacts differently to regular intake. In some, it enhances sexual desire; however, others find it distracts them sexually and can interfere with erection and/or orgasm. If you’re concerned about this, refrain from smoking for a week and see if there’s any change.
Another test of whether your condition is physically related: when you wake up, do you notice your erections are firmer than during partner sex or self-pleasuring? If so, then your body is working fine—it’s your heart/brain that’s getting in the way once you’re fully awake.
And why would this be? Some possibilities for you to explore: You may be feeling anxious about erection, which can be a vicious circle. The more you worry about erections, the more your penis won’t cooperate. Men receive so many messages that sex is about “performance” and pleasing a partner, rather than just enjoying the pleasure of it. Everything is goal-oriented—like a football game. The other message that many men receive is that sex is somehow dirty and wrong, unless you’re doing it for reproductive purposes. Sometimes this can creep into our unconscious thoughts and sabotage any pleasure. Ask yourself whether you have any conflicts about being sexual—any old messages that might be lurking in your subconscious.
If none of the above are true for you, see your physician for a check-up, because you might have a medical condition that needs attention. Good luck! Dr. J
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