05 December 24

Ending HIV

HARD-ON HELP

Tips for getting and maintaining an erection

We’ve all been there. You’re gearing up for a great time, the shirts are being torn off and then the sound of record scratch plays- your dick isn’t hard. “This never happens”, you might say. But you don’t need to jump to that line. It does happen. Maybe you never used to have any issue, maybe it’s always been a bit of an issue. Either way, we’re here to support you with some tips for not only getting hard but staying hard.

Getting hard and erectile dysfunction

Despite our best wishes to be rock hard on cue, it’s quite normal to fluctuate between being harder and softer throughout sex.

Sexual arousal is unique to each person, and it can fluctuate based on the types of sex acts you do, the connection to your partner and other lifestyle factors, like if you’ve been drinking alcohol or using drugs. So while failing to keep a stiffy might be frustrating, it’s also a completely normal thing to happen!

If you only occasionally have a hard time getting erect, that does not mean you have erectile dysfunction. So if that’s the case for you, you can stick around for our tips below. However if you are having repeated issues getting or staying hard, it might be best to talk to your doctor to help work out what’s going on. If it is erectile dysfunction, they can help you treat it!

 Previously, we dipped our dongs toes into this subject with our tips for first-time tops, and we’ve added some additional tips here to help you get and stay hard while you want to be.

Cock rings can help things stay firm

Cock rings, also known as tension rings or ED rings, have been affordable and relatively easy-to-access tech that has been around forever. Well, at least ancient history! Today many guys use cock rings to enjoy erections that stay harder for longer.

Cock rings work by restricting the blood flow out of your penis. This means that once the blood has been pumped into your hardon, it’s going to stick around till the party’s over!

There are quite a few tips and tricks, like picking the right size and shape, making sure you can get it off, and using the right technique to get it on and off, so you’ll want to follow some guidance for using them safely.

Most importantly, you should make sure you’re able to remove them easily when needed and restrict using them to a period of no more than 30 minutes at a time.

Get a condom that fits right

For those who are well-endowed, you may have noticed that standard condoms might feel a little tight around the shaft. Condoms that are too tight can restrict blood flow, and make it more difficult to get an erection.

So what do you do? Take some time to find the condom that fits best for you, so you can keep the momentum when you’re making a move.

It’s OK to take a break and focus on other types of activities for a time

If you’ve found yourself on the softer end, consider if you could switch to a position or activity that gives you more stimulation.

Some people find nipple play or kissing especially arousing. Others might like to do some mutual masturbation. Find what works for you and you can build taking breaks into your routine.

Too much pressure to perform can also be counter-productive, so it’s better to focus your efforts on other activities and body parts for a time. More often than not, boners will come back!

Consider if cutting or reducing alcohol or other drugs could help

Whiskey dick, pilly willy, crystal dick, while it goes by many names the reality remains that substances be they alcohol or other drugs can often impact your ability to get hard.

With this in mind, it could be beneficial to stop or reduce the amount of alcohol or other drugs you’re taking when you think it’s likely you’ll be hooking up.

Chat to a doctor and consider erectile dysfunction medications

If you’ve tried other methods, or it seems to be a persistent problem, involving a doctor is a great idea. Doctors can investigate if there is an underlying health concern that might be contributing to erectile dysfunction, and if so provide treatment options.

For some, this will result in being prescribed erectile dysfunction medications (EDMs), popularly known by brand names like Viagra and Ciallis. EDMs are prescription medications in Australia, meaning you’ll need a doctor to make sure it’s safe to take this medication in your circumstance.

This is especially important as EDMs can have interactions with many other types of medications, and recreational drugs.

Look out for the following combinations with EDMs:

• HIV treatment – Some HIV protease inhibitor drug combinations (e.g., those with cobicistat or ritonavir) can reduce liver enzyme activity. This may significantly increase the concentration of oral EDMs, raising the risk of harmful side effects.
• Other prescription medications – Avoid combining oral EDMs with nitrates (used for chest pain) or guanylate cyclase stimulators (used for pulmonary hypertension). These combinations can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure.
• Amyl (poppers) – Mixing oral EDMs such as Viagra with amyl can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Touchbase offers safety information on using amyl for LGBT+ people.
• Other recreational drugs – Combining oral EDMs with stimulants (e.g., speed, cocaine, or crystal meth) can put excessive strain on the heart. Check out Touchbase for safety tips for LGBT+ people using EDMs and other recreational drugs.

For more tips and information about sexual health, check out the Ending HIV blog. We hope this article leaves you with many happy hard-ons ahead!