Introduction - 26 Years Old / Vascular ED / My Story

[CostaRico]

My Journey with Erectile Dysfunction and Recovery

Growing up, I had a healthy upbringing in a good, financially stable family. I never thought I’d face a challenge like this. My early years were unremarkable in many ways—good health, a loving home, and all the opportunities I could ask for. But my choices and lifestyle in my late teens and 20s have left me confronting the harsh realities of my decisions.

It started innocently enough in high school, experimenting with weed like many teenagers do. By the time I entered university, my substance use escalated. I got heavily into cocaine and other party drugs, indulging on weekends without a second thought. What started as occasional fun soon became a habit. For years, I used cocaine every weekend, alongside other stimulants like Adderall, which I relied on at work. At the time, I was naive and ignorant about the toll these substances were taking on my body and mind.

Throughout my early 20s, I was sexually active and had no issues with erections. Even if I was drunk or high, I never thought twice about my sexual performance. But everything changed in July 2023. I started noticing issues with my erections—likely the first signs of endothelial dysfunction. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I took a proactive step and saw a doctor. They prescribed me Cialis and referred me to a specialist. I thought the pills were a “magic fix” and convinced myself it was no big deal. I brushed off my problems as psychological or temporary, but I was still abusing stimulants heavily. I ignored the signs.

A few months passed, and I finally had my specialist appointment. But I didn’t take it seriously. I convinced myself everything was fine and that the pills were all I needed. The truth was, I was in denial. By October 2024, the reality hit me like a brick. My erections were now completely unreliable, and I hadn’t had morning wood in months—something I never thought I’d lose. It was a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore.

Now, as I approach my first Doppler ultrasound, I’m preparing for what I suspect will be a diagnosis of arterial insufficiency, compounded by fibrosis leading to venous leak issues. The truth is hard to face: this is entirely my fault. My drug use has robbed me of something I took for granted. I’ve lost a significant amount of girth—at least 0.5 to 1 inch—and I now need a combination of pills and a cock ring just to achieve a functional erection for sex. My confidence has been shattered.

That said, I’ve made a commitment to change. I’ve been completely clean for three months, and I’m learning to forgive myself. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m taking steps to move forward. My current plan is to focus on preserving and improving my penile health:
• Daily Cialis: To support blood flow.
• Daily Vacuum Erection Device (VED): To maintain tissue elasticity and prevent further fibrosis.
• Lifestyle Changes: Including diet, exercise, and overall wellness.

I’m also exploring experimental therapies, like shockwave therapy and PRP (P-Shots). While I’m not expecting miracles, I’m willing to try anything that might help slow the progression or improve my situation.

Looking ahead, I can’t shake the feeling that this journey will eventually lead to a penile implant. At 26, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’m realistic about where I stand. However, I’m still holding on to hope. With medical advancements in the pipeline—like stem cell therapies, tissue engineering, and breakthroughs in vascular health—there’s a chance that waiting 5–10 years might lead to options that don’t exist today. My goal right now is to keep my penile tissue healthy enough to make it through until those breakthroughs arrive.

This journey has been humbling and deeply reflective. I’m learning to let go of shame and regret while focusing on the actions I can take now. It’s a long road, but I’m determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

[SWorks17]

My Journey with Erectile Dysfunction and Recovery

Growing up, I had a healthy upbringing in a good, financially stable family. I never thought I’d face a challenge like this. My early years were unremarkable in many ways—good health, a loving home, and all the opportunities I could ask for. But my choices and lifestyle in my late teens and 20s have left me confronting the harsh realities of my decisions.

It started innocently enough in high school, experimenting with weed like many teenagers do. By the time I entered university, my substance use escalated. I got heavily into cocaine and other party drugs, indulging on weekends without a second thought. What started as occasional fun soon became a habit. For years, I used cocaine every weekend, alongside other stimulants like Adderall, which I relied on at work. At the time, I was naive and ignorant about the toll these substances were taking on my body and mind.

Throughout my early 20s, I was sexually active and had no issues with erections. Even if I was drunk or high, I never thought twice about my sexual performance. But everything changed in July 2023. I started noticing issues with my erections—likely the first signs of endothelial dysfunction. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I took a proactive step and saw a doctor. They prescribed me Cialis and referred me to a specialist. I thought the pills were a “magic fix” and convinced myself it was no big deal. I brushed off my problems as psychological or temporary, but I was still abusing stimulants heavily. I ignored the signs.

A few months passed, and I finally had my specialist appointment. But I didn’t take it seriously. I convinced myself everything was fine and that the pills were all I needed. The truth was, I was in denial. By October 2024, the reality hit me like a brick. My erections were now completely unreliable, and I hadn’t had morning wood in months—something I never thought I’d lose. It was a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore.

Now, as I approach my first Doppler ultrasound, I’m preparing for what I suspect will be a diagnosis of arterial insufficiency, compounded by fibrosis leading to venous leak issues. The truth is hard to face: this is entirely my fault. My drug use has robbed me of something I took for granted. I’ve lost a significant amount of girth—at least 0.5 to 1 inch—and I now need a combination of pills and a cock ring just to achieve a functional erection for sex. My confidence has been shattered.

That said, I’ve made a commitment to change. I’ve been completely clean for three months, and I’m learning to forgive myself. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m taking steps to move forward. My current plan is to focus on preserving and improving my penile health:
• Daily Cialis: To support blood flow.
• Daily Vacuum Erection Device (VED): To maintain tissue elasticity and prevent further fibrosis.
• Lifestyle Changes: Including diet, exercise, and overall wellness.

I’m also exploring experimental therapies, like shockwave therapy and PRP (P-Shots). While I’m not expecting miracles, I’m willing to try anything that might help slow the progression or improve my situation.

Looking ahead, I can’t shake the feeling that this journey will eventually lead to a penile implant. At 26, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’m realistic about where I stand. However, I’m still holding on to hope. With medical advancements in the pipeline—like stem cell therapies, tissue engineering, and breakthroughs in vascular health—there’s a chance that waiting 5–10 years might lead to options that don’t exist today. My goal right now is to keep my penile tissue healthy enough to make it through until those breakthroughs arrive.

This journey has been humbling and deeply reflective. I’m learning to let go of shame and regret while focusing on the actions I can take now. It’s a long road, but I’m determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

CostaRico, it's tough that you're going through this journey at such a young age. I started having problems with good erections in my mid 40's and I didn't think that I would ever have problems because I always had good morning wood. When I was in my early 30's they told me that I should start taking statin's to control my cholesterol and I didn't do it until my late 50's. I believe that I had vein blockage down there on my dick, but it was too late.
I'm thankful for my 3 piece implant, it has given me my sexual manhood back. I'm not sure I could wait 5 to 10 years to see if they develop some type of miracle cure for ED, where you wouldn't need an implant.

Glad you're on the road to a better healthier lifestyle
Jump over to the implant forum and ask more questions which will help you make some decisions
SWorks