Erectile Dysfunction in Teenager

Howya. Although this is a bit of a strange thing to be asking around about online I was hoping some of ye aul fellas could give me some advice.

I'm 15 and I find that it's extremely difficult for me to get an erection. Without even worrying about if it's legal for me to be sexually active or not, I can't even have a quick relieving tug after a hard day and it's not putting me in a very good place mentally.

I've taken some Viagra before (by accident of course) and found that it does the job perfectly. What I was wondering is could I get a prescription for Viagra at my age? I figure surely the doctor will understand how detrimental this is to a teenage boys confidence.

Also should mention that I'm 6ft and 12 stone so it's hardly a health risk.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Liam.

Speedwell

Liam, are you circumcised, by any chance? I know they don't do it much here, but I recently found out my four-year-old nephew has just had it done for a foreskin retraction problem. (Poor kid.) Anyway, many issues like yours are due to either some loss of sensation because the glans is constantly exposed, or because of a less-than-ideally-performed procedure, or because of the issue that required the procedure to be done, if it was medically necessary.

Viagra works because it increases blood flow to the penis. If you have any existing circulatory issues, issues with your blood sugar, or psychological issues that make getting an erection an anxious thing for you (ironic, I know), then these might explain your issue. It is not impossible to have cholesterol issues as a young man, and it is actually pretty common to feel like masturbating is wrong or to not realise the inverse relationship between stress and arousal. Blood sugar and other hormonal issues might interfere with the brain chemistry necessary to "get things going".

So anyway, Viagra may be addressing the symptom and not the underlying cause, and at your age, a medical professional would definitely want to ferret out the underlying issues and address those in effective ways. Since you will be asking a GP anyway (I know, it's embarrassing, but GPs have seen it all and more ten times over, trust me), they'll know what questions to ask and what to recommend. Above all, don't assume that the issue will be difficult to find or that you'll need "heroic measures" to resolve it. It's just important to be evaluated while you are young, while any health issues are more treatable and have caused less systemic damage.

Yes, young people have sexuality and worry about performance. Anyone who doubts this has clearly stepped out of a god's forehead as a fully grown adult, or something (and it's amusing to note that Athena, who the mythology said was born this way, is a goddess of virginity). Even virgins have a sexual health that needs to be taken care of. My mother insisted on sending me to the gynecologist each year I was a teenager "to make sure everything was all right", which I found a bit distressing but just part of the maintenance of the complex biological machine that is a body.

Sorry to not be an "aul fella", but I'm 50 and have been taking care of the sexual health of my long-term partners and husbands, and advising embarrassed young friends who could not talk to their parents, for many a long year.

Speedwell

Speedwell wrote: »

Liam, are you circumcised, by any chance? I know they don't do it much here, but I recently found out my four-year-old nephew has just had it done for a foreskin retraction problem. (Poor kid.) Anyway, many issues like yours are due to either some loss of sensation because the glans is constantly exposed, or because of a less-than-ideally-performed procedure, or because of the issue that required the procedure to be done, if it was medically necessary.

Viagra works because it increases blood flow to the penis. If you have any existing circulatory issues, issues with your blood sugar, or psychological issues that make getting an erection an anxious thing for you (ironic, I know), then these might explain your issue. It is not impossible to have cholesterol issues as a young man, and it is actually pretty common to feel like masturbating is wrong or to not realise the inverse relationship between stress and arousal. Blood sugar and other hormonal issues might interfere with the brain chemistry necessary to "get things going".

So anyway, Viagra may be addressing the symptom and not the underlying cause, and at your age, a medical professional would definitely want to ferret out the underlying issues and address those in effective ways. Since you will be asking a GP anyway (I know, it's embarrassing, but GPs have seen it all and more ten times over, trust me), they'll know what questions to ask and what to recommend. Above all, don't assume that the issue will be difficult to find or that you'll need "heroic measures" to resolve it. It's just important to be evaluated while you are young, while any health issues are more treatable and have caused less systemic damage.

Yes, young people have sexuality and worry about performance. Anyone who doubts this has clearly stepped out of a god's forehead as a fully grown adult, or something (and it's amusing to note that Athena, who the mythology said was born this way, is a goddess of virginity). Even virgins have a sexual health that needs to be taken care of. My mother insisted on sending me to the gynecologist each year I was a teenager "to make sure everything was all right", which I found a bit distressing but just part of the maintenance of the complex biological machine that is a body.

Sorry to not be an "aul fella", but I'm 50 and have been taking care of the sexual health of my long-term partners and husbands, and advising embarrassed young friends who could not talk to their parents, for many a long year.

I'm fairly sure it's to do with mental health issues which I plan on getting dealt with at my next GP visit. It's as if there's mental block that almost dulls my sexual energy (if that makes any sense). I also have little to no appetite, insomnia and self esteem issues, which have become very severe lately I reckon mostly because of this. These problems began early last year and the ED started late last year. I find as these mental health issues worsen, so does the ED. It's kinda like a vicious cycle, yaknow?

It started out as a small issue of a slightly limp erection but because this affected my confidence in my sexual performance and along with the other issues I now find it practically impossible to maintain an erection. It's constantly on my mind and I now find myself uncomfortable at even the mention of sex because my confidence is so low.

So basically I feel Viagra is the best way to give me some of my confidence back as ED is now one of the main issues I have. With that out of the way I can focus on dealing with other issues to get myself back on the saddle.

Thanks for the advice, Speedwell.

Speedwell

No problem. Be aware that some medications for depression and anxiety, should you choose to go that route, themselves affect arousal and performance, so be sure to insist that this be taken into account in your treatment. Making your brain into your friend instead of your enemy does not always require drugs, of course, but it seems to me that fixing the way your brain talks to you can only help matters overall. Your ED may have become a symbol and focus of your bad thoughts and feelings. Seeing the penis in that light is hardly uncommon; just ask a French postmodern philosopher. Things will get better, I promise. Cheers.

Wibbs

Speedwell wrote: »

So anyway, Viagra may be addressing the symptom and not the underlying cause, and at your age, a medical professional would definitely want to ferret out the underlying issues and address those in effective ways. Since you will be asking a GP anyway (I know, it's embarrassing, but GPs have seen it all and more ten times over, trust me), they'll know what questions to ask and what to recommend. Above all, don't assume that the issue will be difficult to find or that you'll need "heroic measures" to resolve it. It's just important to be evaluated while you are young, while any health issues are more treatable and have caused less systemic damage.

Couldn't get better advice than this IMH.

Musketeer4

No right thinking GP will prescribe Viagra for 15 year old CHILD!

Sleepy

What's your exercise routine like? Not only is regular exercise good for the libido, it's great for mental health and self esteem too.

paralysed

Gee, to think I didn't have my first wet dream until I was 15/16! How old were you when you got your first erection?

Musketeer4

Yeah, like you're only 15. Maybe you're just not physically able to have an erection/ejaculation yet? Just give it some time and you'll probably find it improving.

If its psychological just try to stop fixating on it. I don't get why some guys think the world is about to cave in on them because of some transient ED problem.

I've said this on another thread but if a girl gives you grief or dumps a guy because of not being able to get an erection whatever time suits her, then said guy is better off without such a shallow excuse of woman in their lives. Any decent girl will be patient and understanding about such things and it wouldn't be a deal breaker for them.

paralysed

Musketeer4 wrote: »

Yeah, like you're only 15. Maybe you're just not physically able to have an erection/ejaculation yet?

Well not if he's been getting erections since the age of 7 or 8! as most boys probably do.