23 years old

[aimless_dolphin]

Hi all,

I am 23 three years old, and I have been struggling with erectile dysfunction for as long as I have been sexually active. I have dated several women, but I have only managed to have sex a handful of times. I love my current girlfriend very much, but I'm afraid that if I don't find some way of resolving this problem that she will eventually want to leave. She has been understanding, and we talk about this issue occasionally. It's clear to me that she eventually wants to get to a place where we can have sex, but at this point I'm not sure I'm ever going to get there.

On the positive side, I'm finally learning to talk about this issue. For the longest time I've just felt ashamed and guilty. Recently I talked to my doctor and did some blood work. He seems to think it's psychological. I don't think it's performance anxiety because usually I feel very comfortable around my girlfriend. However, it could be that subconsciously I have some kind of mental block.

My own hypothesis is that after years of masturbating with high frequency (daily), my brain has lost the ability to activate my penis (I know this isn't very scientific). Most of the time when I want to masturbate, I do not get hard until I start actually touching myself. I still feel turned on, but it's like my body doesn't know what to do. In the past I tried the 3 month "reboot" advocated by other forums. It was good in that I have stopped looking at porn altogether, however it didn't fix my problems. I'm considering going on a longer reboot, maybe a year or even indefinite. I just don't want to be 25 and still see no progress. I'm afraid that if I don't figure out a way to fix myself I'm going to end up alone.

I tried viagra a couple times, and it seemed to kind of work but it made me light headed and I vomited one time. Additionally, I got very nervous when it came time to have sex. This is one indicator that maybe it is all psychological.

My final idea is to seek sexual counseling. It's difficult to find good counselors; there seems to be high demand.

With all this in mind my questions are:
1. Do you all think that abstaining from masturbation/porn for a longer period of time would help?
2. Does anyone have experience with sexual counseling? How effective was it?
3. Should I keep trying with viagra? I don't love the way it makes me feel, but at least it produces a strong erection. I'm considering giving it another try.
4. Any other general advice? It would be nice to hear from some people who have been in the same position that I'm in.

Thanks,
aimless_dolphin

[mr.skin]

I am in a hurry, but quick answer:

First of all - you will do fine. Viagra working is a very good thing. I am your age and can just have an erection if I put a needle in my dick.

If I were you I would take 5mg cialis daily
i) the sides do diminish with time
ii) you wont have to worry about taking the drug, you ll always be ready.
iii) it s good for penile health.

If you see that your penis is working, you will develop a normal relationship towards sex and you will leave the other problems behind.

Maybe think about getting some generics for tadalafil (cost saving)

Edit: you might have some physiological problems but most of the time there is no "cure" for those problems, just symptom treatment - so get the pde5 inhibitors, try them out and if that does not work go to a urologist who is specialized in penile health.

Best,