Having a limp dick in bed can put a real damper on your lovemaking. Not only can it leave your girlfriend upset, but it can also kill the sexual energy between you two.
The brain sends messages to the penis via nerves. These nerves control the blood vessels of the corpora cavernosa, causing it to swell and create an erection.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
The foods you eat play a big role in how well you perform during sex. Foods that are high in fat and sugar can lead to a drop in libido while healthy options can give you a boost.
For example, dark chocolate is packed with aphrodisiac compounds such as flavanols. It also contains magnesium and zinc, which promote a strong erection. Nuts are another good choice for your libido, as they contain erection-friendly minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.
Nitrate-rich foods such as beetroot, spinach and root vegetables can easily be converted to nitric oxide in your body, which helps improve blood flow to the penis. Oysters are also rich in nitric oxide, as well as zinc, which can help improve sperm motility and enhance sexual response.
Limiting your alcohol intake is also a good idea. Excessive drinking can inhibit blood flow and reduce sensation, making it harder to get and keep an erection.
2. Exercise Regularly
Many men have difficulty with an erection during sex. This can leave them frustrated and their partner irritated. This problem is not usually due to a lack of arousal, but can be caused by physical exhaustion, stress and other factors.
Exercise helps to improve blood flow, which is important for an erection. Aim to get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. This can be done by going to the gym, walking, cycling, swimming or playing sports. In addition, some exercises can be done at home or at work. Try performing Kegel exercises, which are designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic area.
The penis is made of two main parts – the shaft and the head (glans). It has several nerves that travel from the brain to the penis, which communicate with the blood vessels in the head and shaft. When these nerves are stimulated, they send messages that cause the blood vessels to relax and fill up. This causes an erection and the pressure created allows for ejaculation. The glans also has a muscle that can be tightened during sex to help with a hard erection.
3. Avoid Smoking
When you smoke, it interrupts the flow of blood that helps to keep your penis erect. If you smoke regularly, it’s important to cut down or quit to help improve your performance. If you aren’t able to quit, try using condoms. They can prevent STIs and HIV, as well as provide protection during sexual contact.
Getting enough sleep is also essential for maintaining healthy erections. If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, make changes such as going to bed at a reasonable time and turning off devices an hour before sleeping.
Stress can also cause ED by restricting blood flow to your penis. You can reduce your stress by exercising, eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables and getting plenty of sleep. You can also get psychosexual counselling or therapy to address psychological issues that may be preventing you from getting hard.
4. Stay Stress-Free
The penis depends on the autonomic nervous system to help maintain a stable erection during sexual activity. The sympathetic division restricts penile blood flow, while the parasympathetic increases it and facilitates ejaculation. When you’re stressed or anxious, your body’s natural responses are disrupted and you may lose an erection during sex. Worrying about how you’ll pay the bills, what your boss is thinking or if you’re having fun can all stop the arousal process and result in a soft erection that won’t last long enough to reach orgasm.
If you’re prone to a limp dick, try to focus on the things that turn you on and enjoy foreplay with your partner. The arousal you feel from touch can also encourage erections, so be sure to use plenty of lube. If you’re still struggling, it’s worth discussing the issue with your partner and seeking psychological counselling or psychosexual therapy to get to the bottom of any issues that are affecting your performance. You might find that once the problem is resolved, your erections improve. This could be the first step towards a full recovery from ED.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Many people don’t get enough sleep, which can contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies show that getting more than seven hours of rest per night may help improve sexual performance. Other factors to consider include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding caffeine.
When you’re tired, your brain sends fewer signals to the muscles in your penis, which can reduce their firmness and duration. Additionally, physical exhaustion can cause your blood vessels to dilate, which also diminishes the strength of an erection.
A limp dick can be embarrassing for both partners. It can lead your girlfriend to assume that you don’t find her attractive anymore, and it can make the sex part of a relationship less pleasurable for both of you. The good news is that there are ways to keep your penis aroused during sex, regardless of how much you pump or how long you can keep an erection. Try some of these tips and you may notice a difference in your lovemaking in no time.
