Erectile dysfunction is a fairly common condition that can wreak havoc on a man’s sex life, so it’s no surprise that a man may experience some level of concern when he has a hard time getting it up and keeping it there. But not every instance of performance difficulty is caused by erectile dysfunction or some other penis health issue. If men have persistent problems in this area, they should absolutely seek counsel from a medical professional. For the occasional hiccup, however, men should consider the following possible culprits.

1) Not in the mood: Culturally, men are taught that they are supposed to always want sex, and women are the ones who only want it sometimes. This can lead men to think they ought to have sex whenever the opportunity arises. But this is fundamentally untrue. Just like women, men don’t always want sex. Trying to force oneself into it will not necessarily result in cooperation from the penis.

2) Tired: Lots of things are difficult to do when a man is tired, and obtaining and maintaining an erection are definitely included in that list. Whether it’s the end of a long day or a man just slept poorly the night before, he shouldn’t expect his manhood to be perkier than he is.

3) Wrong person: Men are often more selective than society gives them credit for. Not any willing partner is necessarily one a man wants to engage in sex with, whether it’s due to fears about the person’s infection status or simply a lack of attraction (emotional and/or physical). A desire for sex in general will not always result in the ability to have sex with a particular person.

4) Drunk: A couple drinks may help a man feel more relaxed and uninhibited, but more than that can negatively impact his ability to have an erection. If a man only notices erectile issues after having a certain number of drinks, this is almost surely the source.

5) Anxiety about infection or pregnancy: Nothing quite kills an erection like fear or anxiety. If a man isn’t confident that the sex he’s having will not lead to unintended consequences, such as acquiring an STI or making a partner pregnant, he won’t likely be feeling very randy. Of course, any sexually active person should know that there’s always some risk involved in every sexual encounter. But risk can be lowered by knowing a partner’s sexual history, including results of testing, as well as understanding how to properly use protection.

6) It hurts: It can be hard to delicately ask a partner to switch tactics, but if a man’s partner is causing him unwanted pain - with fingernails, teeth or thrusting techniques that are a bit too vigorous, for example - he should definitely speak up. Discussing what one doesn’t like is every bit as important as discussing what one does. Aside from ruining an erection, unwanted pain is, by definition, unpleasant, and a man shouldn’t suffer that.

7) In a rush: Quickies can be exciting, and many couples enjoy them. However, if a man is in a big rush to get where he’s going - particularly if being late carries consequences such as getting fired or reprimanded at work - he may be more stressed than turned on during the session.

Along with avoiding the above erection-killers, men can improve their overall penile health by taking good care of what they have. Regular washing is crucial. Another step is to use ample lubrication during both solo and partner activities to protect the skin from chafing.

For the man who wants to go above and beyond in the penile care department, using a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is an excellent choice. With Shea butter and vitamin E, this crème nourishes the penis for smoother, suppler and more resilient skin. It also contains ingredients to encourage healthy circulation, something needed for strong erections. Treat oneself to Man1 Man Oil for a penis that looks and feels its best.