I lose my erection during sex - erectile dysfunction?

An erection is a complex reflex that is provoked by stimulation of the local genitals in combination with erotic thoughts. This reflex causes increased blood flow to the cavernous and spongious body of the penis. The final result of increased blood flow is that the penis is filled with blood , making the penis bigger and harder.

Loss of erection (impotency) is an erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunctions are either functional or organic in nature. When an ED is functional there is no organic damage to the structures involved in the erection-reflex (blood vessels, nerves, spinal cord…). Functional impotency can be due to: shame, inexperience, psychic stress, neurotic disorders, etc. Functional impotency is typical for men your age. Psychiatrists can treat functional impotency.

Organic impotency is due to organic damage of structures of the erection reflex (nerves, arteries, spinal cord…). Many disorders can cause organic impotency: injuries, untreated chronic infections, diabetes, alcohol abuse, smoking, phimosis, induratio penis plastica, hypogonadism… Organic impotency is usually treated by urologists or endocrinologists.

In general, there's not need to worry so much if you lost an erection only 4 times during 6 months of an intensive sexual life.