ED and very frustrated

I’m a long-time lurker but still consider myself a newbie when it comes to PE, etc. I’ve tried to avoid writing a long, wordy post so here is a thumbnail sketch…

49 y/o

6-3, 255 lbs

BPEL = 7 3/8”
EG = 6”

Gradually worsening ED over the last 4-5 years.

Lots of stress (separation/divorce, writing dissertation, self-employed…)

Overuse of porn (up until last week it was as often as daily w/masturbation & ejaculation)

Elevated BP (ranging from 132/82 to 156/88 over the previous year)

Resting pulse 68

Testosterone checked in April and was just inside low normal, Doc wants to first manage BP w/weight loss and then determine need for HRT.

Currently need 10-20mg of Levitra for sustainable erection.

Attempted remedies:

Exercise program started in April: 20-35 min cardio 2-5x/week, weight lifting 1-2x/week

Was regular w/kegels (200-300 3x/week) until a few weeks back.

I take 60mg of Adderall daily for ADHD and have for probably 10 years. It doesn’t seem to effect EQ.

Supplements include:
Ginsana 200 mg/day
Ginger Root 1100 mg/day
Zinc 50 mg/day
Ginko Biloba 240 mg/day
Green Tea 300 mg/day
DHEA 50mg/day
Horny Goat Weed w/Maca 1000/600/day

Vitamin C & E 500/400/day
L-Arginine 1000/day
Flaxseed 1000/day
Fish Oil 1400/day

These are cycled 5 days on and 2 days off. The top seven were started to improve EQ and I only recently added the bottom four to focus on my elevated BP. The supplements are clearly helpful in boosting EQ, I’ve checked EQ without them and there is definitely improvement while taking them. That said, I’ve got too many variables to get a clear sense of what is helping and what is not so I’m going to be evaluating those as well. I ran out of Horny Goat Weed about 2 weeks ago and notice I don’t feel as horny so I know that was having an effect. Next week I’m going to try replacing the HGW/Maca w/Tongkat Ali just to see if this provides a meaningful improvement over the HGW.

Have tried some light dry jelqing (I’m circumcised but am halfway through foreskin restoration) but I have difficulty maintaining an erection.

Last week abstained from ejaculation for 7 days w/no significant improvement in EQ

Currently abstaining from masturbation, porn and ejaculation for 7 days and using rice sock to warm penis in evening.

Am considering investing in Bathmate Goliath to assist w/any cardiovascular problems that may be contributing to my EQ problems.

My main focus right now to improve EQ is to address my elevated BP by trying to drop 15-20 lbs but despite changing my eating habits and exercising my weight has remained consistently in the 255-260 lbs range.

Along with the drop in EQ, my main frustration is my inability to lose weight as I view this as the first step to addressing lowering my BP, fostering elevated levels of testosterone and improved EQ overall.

Has anyone had any experiences with elevated BP, poor erection quality and Testosterone levels? I know it’s a complicated question but any suggestions, comments or thoughts on the above would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

It is impossible to lower caloric intake, start exercise and maintain the same weight…especially when that starting weight qualifies as being overweight…impossible.

Your post is pretty vague in terms of what specifically you are doing in the way of exercise (big difference between exercising moderately twice a week and doing it more intensely 5 times a week…there is also a big difference between 20 minutes and 35 minutes of cardio) and what your diet was like before compared to now.

It is simple…if you want to lose weight, then count calories. People don’t realize the hidden junk in snacks and drinks they consume. If you work your ass off in the gym 5 days a week and don’t change anything about your diet…except eating half of what you used to eat (no you won’t starve) you will lose weight fast.

Geedub,

I feel for you man .. I went through a similar situation in 2004. 6’4” 250lbs, nasty separation/divorce, job loss, stupid amounts of porn, etc.

I think that your approach to PE and the supplementation that you are taking makes sense, but I also know that these sensible steps will not make a dent in your ED until you deal with the stress inducing components of your life; in fact they may present an additional source of stress.

Unfortunately, the biggest remedy to your stress inducers is “time”. Your going through a shitty period in your life and I suspect you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself; looking in the mirror and telling yourself to man-up and deal with the stress. That is for the most part a healthy response but at the same time give yourself a little slack because this is really heavy shit your dealing with.

The other thing that seemed to have a huge impact for me was getting back out there and finding a few women to have some fun with. That is really what put me over the hump on the road to recovery.

You mentioned that you are taking Adderall .. I am sure that you are aware that Adderall is very likely a key contributor to you ED. There are a number of forums of men discussing that very issue. I know you said that it didn’t effect EQ previously, but in the presence of the other stressors in your life, that neuro-active drug may be having an effect that it didn’t not previously have. Google it.

Best of luck to you

Printman

GeeDub - are you saying that the Levitra eliminates the problem temporarily, or no?

If it does, then you’re saying you’re trying to fix your ED through non-drug interventions? In that case the exercise and PE should help.

If the drug drug does not work, then it does sound like it’s the stress and non-physiologic factors causing the problem. In that case, a lower level of stress and less porn should help.

Keep us posted!

Thanks very much for you comments, and yes, my post is vague and in some ways it probably reflects the “shotgun” approach that I’ve taken thus far.

In regard to my lack of weight loss I have suspected that one of the culprits is my lack of consistence with calorie intake/intensity of exercise regimen. When I was younger I could get away with exercising more and eating less without having to take the step of counting calories. The other thing I’m running into is what seem to be conflicting goals in regard to shedding fat vs promoting testosterone. If I’m understanding it correctly it seems that from a nutrition standpoint those two goals are at least in the beginning incompatible (I.e.— high protein/low fat to lose weight conflicts does not support testosterone production).

If I follow your reasoning, I need to become more disciplined in re to caloric intake, more consistent w/intensity of exercise and focus on weight loss first and worry about testosterone later?

Hi Scienceguy,

That’s one of the things I’m trying to determine through this week of abstinence from porn and masturbation. The Levitra always helps but sometimes as little as 5mg is required whereas other times I need 10-20. I suspect part of the issue is related to refractory period, sleep, etc. And that if I’ve had a week or two where I’ve been (ahem) “a very busy boy” in regard to masturbation my penis starts to say “Really? Again? Don’t you have chores to do?”

Hi Printman,

Thanks for your encouragement and comments and you’re right, I may be underestimating the effect of stress and other factors. I’ve tended to view masturbation and porn as stress management but there are limits and shortcomings in that approach. As far as the Adderall I’ve been on it for quite a few years and hadn’t noticed any impact earlier. It’s pretty important to keep me on task at work but if I can get my weight and BP down I may schedule a 3-4 day weekend and detox off the Adderall for those days to see if there is any improvement without it.

You don’t have to worry about T levels later. Testosterone is positively affected by a healthy diet and exercise routine so it is a win/win. In case you couldn’t tell from my post, I am pretty passionate about this subject…especially as I get older. Push yourself hard. Do your cardio religiously to drop the fat and try to do weights a few times a week as well. Forcing yourself to lift slightly heavier weight 4 -6 reps with 6 being difficult will also help to promote healthy T levels.

As a previous poster mentioned, there are psychological factors as well that may very well trump the physical ones but I believe a healthy body can do wonders for our mind and well being.

DDolphin,

I very much appreciate your passion and comments. In regard to my cardio and lifting regimen, the trainer at our wellness center set up a “whole body” workout that started with 10-15 minutes of cardio to warm up and then machine exercises focusing on chest, legs (leg press) and back included biceps, triceps, calf-muscles, etc, with 3 sets of 7-10 reps 1-2x/week; on the non-lift days 30-35 minutes or more of cardio.

One of the problems I’m running into is in sticking with the “whole body” workout. I can usually get myself to do the chest (bench press) and legs (leg press) along with a couple of extra more targeted exercises for both back and chest but because of my schedule, time limits, etc., it’s hard to be consistent.

I’ve been thinking that I might be better off changing my workout regimen as follows:

Lift days: 2-3 days/week starting w/30 minutes cardio, and focusing on heavier lifts (3 sets of 4-6 reps) but doing fewer exercises; squats for legs, bench press for chest and one or two back exercises.

Non-lift days: 4-5 days/week w/35-45 minutes of cardio.

My reasoning is that by dropping the more targeted exercises (curls, etc.) I’m more likely to get through the entire workout and will focus my efforts on increasing testosterone. Am I making any sense?

As someone who has lost almost 100 pounds in the last year I can tell you that you have to reduce calories, and I mean majorly. You need to eat and drink normally, meaning how you eat now, during a single day and keep a log of everything you ate. Then go find out how many calories you ingested. That will give you an idea of what your intake is right now. Then cut back. I started working in the landscaping business and cut my calories to 1700 calories per day or less. I was 307 on February 15, 2011 and am now 220. Only 13 more to go for 100 pounds. That will improve many health problems you may be experiencing now, including the ED.

Take 2-3g of Omega 3 fish oil every day, and that doesn’t include the flax seed which is ALA. You want DHA and EPA and quit porn and masturbation for 3 months.

Trust me on this. The Omega 3 will cut your triglycerides in half which will improve blood pressure and overall blood circulation (so you can cut the Arginine) and quitting porn will reset your limbic system and dopamine response (erections start in the brain, not the penis).

As for losing weight, if you want, you can send me a PM about your daily eating habits and workout routine and I’ll help you. I grew up obese for my whole life until 2 years ago when I decided to change it around and now I’m skinny, fit, lift heavy, and feel great. I’ve researched, researched, researched, watched enlightening documentaries, researched, tried many different things, oh and I researched, so I know a lot about eating/working out. A healthy lifestyle has become an obsession of mine lately because of my turn-around.

I was 130lbs in 3rd grade and my heaviest weight was 325lbs in senior year of high school. Now I’m 22 and only 189lbs so I’m not giving you empty words.

I see you take 50mg of DHEA as a suplement. Did your doctor check your estradiol level when your testosterone was checked? Too much dhea can raise your estradiol level, decreasing your testosterone level and possibly leading to ED. Ask your doctor to recheck your T level, Estradiol (sensitive) and dhea.

I’m like you, I tend to watch too much porn. This I’m sure is contributing to my ED. This forum is chocked full of men with ED problems arising from porn addiction.

It seems like stress is a common cause of “ED”.

When a person is under a lot of stress, it starts to effect the persons ‘hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis’. The adrenals produce cortisol to combat stress. After prolonged stress the adrenal glands begin to fail. It’s a gradual process, but a severe problem to be sure. Out of all the hormones a person produces, a person can still function with deficiencies of all hormones, except cortisol. A person will die if they were not making cortisol. Addison’s disease is the disease of the adrenal glands, in which the person produces NO cortisol. Supplemental use of hydrocortisol or other corticosteriods must be used. Addison disease is very rare, but there are a lot of people these days with compromised adrenal functions. I happen to be one of them. I need to dose hydrocortisol several times throughout the day to be able to deal with stress.

Here’s an article to ponder on stress and the HPA axis.

Hi,

ED is tough, I understand.

Fist of all get your B.P managed.
Sencond tell your doctor about your E.D, there might be medicine he could switch you off or on to get stuff straighten out.
Thirdly the supplements you take will worsen your B.P or interfere with your medicines, talk to your doctor about them.
Fourthly don’t over P.E.
Fifth try exercise or yoga or anything that will relax you.

Get your health sorted out first then you can start an aggressive approach to having solid wood!