awf_1993 wrote:Every doctor I speak to is just flummoxed because there's no research about this chemical and I'm extremely young to experience ED.
True, ED is much more common among older men than among the young – but it’s not like it’s unheard of in guys in their thirties or even their twenties. Like you, I already suffered from ED by the time I lost my virginity, which was at age 23. Back then, it was determined that the cause was psychological, because I had normal nocturnal erections (as measured with a device strapped to my penis for three nights). But in the end, knowing that it was psychological didn’t really make much of a difference: I still couldn’t get hard. I still mourned not being able to have a normal sex life. I started with injections at age 25. (This was in the pre-Viagra era.) The injections worked for me for several years, but I hated the hassle of dealing with them.
The bottom line is: you are suffering from ED, whatever the reason, and it’s preventing you from having the sex life you want to have. Yes, you’re young, but I would see that as all the more reason to keep exploring solutions. It's sounds as if you've suffered from this long enough. No need to put off finding a solution till you're old.
awf_1993 wrote:I keep telling myself I deserve to experience this very human pleasure
And it’s not just physical pleasure. It’s also the human connection that comes with that pleasure. Sex is a deeply-rooted way of being intimate with another human being. With the risk of stating the obvious: sex is an important part of relationships and marriage. Not being able to get hard can affect your whole life, in and out of bed. Well, I'm sure you already know that.
awf_1993 wrote:but the thought of actually permanently inserting foreign objects into my body (EXTREMELY expensive objects, no less), and that I'll have to get this done at least 2-3 more times in my life because I'm young... it's a very frightening thought.
Yes, implant surgery is expensive, but depending on which country you live in, or what insurance you have (if you live in the U.S.), you may not have to pay the total cost yourself. And yes, you will likely need to have revisions, but if you have the ability to choose an insurance that covers it, it may not be such a big deal. I had my first revision in January. Sure, it was a bit of a hassle; of course I would have preferred not to have needed it, but it was no dealbreaker.
awf_1993 wrote:I'm not opposed to trying needles but they don't seem like a viable long term solution (and are also scary in their own right)?
I never liked the injections. Still, I wouldn’t advise anybody to get an implant without at least having tried injections first. What have you got to lose? If you don’t like them, you can start exploring the implant option. But some men are happy with the injections. If that turns out to be the case for you: great! It doesn’t have to be the solution for the rest of your life. It may just be something you use for a few months or years, while thinking about whether you want to move on to an implant.
