I’ve been around in this field long enough to see the endless parade of so-called “symptoms” of impotence tossed at us by both manufacturers and supposedly expert sources. But are these signs really what we should be focusing on? For instance, the absence of morning erections is always cited as a red flag—but isn’t it possible that life stressors, sleep patterns, or even natural age-related changes could muddy that signal? And what about difficulties with maintaining an erection during intimate moments? Sure, many dismiss it as just part of the moment’s pressure or performance anxiety, but where do we draw the line between a normal fluctuation and genuine dysfunction?
It feels like the mainstream narrative is too binary: either you’re fine or you’re impotent, with hardly any room for nuance. Is it really that simple? Perhaps what we’re seeing are oversimplified markers that ignore a wider range of factors—both physical and psychological—that contribute to erectile performance. How can we, as skeptical long-timers, more accurately assess our situation without being sold another quick-fix miracle or falling into the trap of self-diagnosis based on generic “checklist” symptoms?
I’m curious: what have others experienced, and have you found that the standard signs hold true in your case, or does the reality seem more complex? Let’s discuss whether these signs are really a reliable indicator of impotence or just part of a broader, more intricate picture of male sexual health.
