Misconceptions about (im) potential

1. There are many wild stories about (im) potential. What is wrong and what about it?

Big nose means created great

1. The size of the nose (or of the hands and feet) does not say anything about the size of the male sexual organ, and certainly not about its potency.

Alcohol helps

1. Alcohol promotes lust, but not potency. For women, a few drinks usually have little influence on the sexual performance, for men it is different. Men find it harder to peak when the alcohol level in their blood is too high. Heavy drinking can even significantly affect sexual performance; it can lead to liver and nerve damage and ultimately erectile dysfunction.

2. Alcohol promotes lust, but not potency. For women, a few drinks usually do not have much influence on the sexual performance, for men it is different. Men find it harder to peak when the alcohol level in their blood is too high. Heavy drinking can even significantly affect sexual performance; it can lead to liver and nerve damage and ultimately erectile dysfunction.

Bald men are more potent

1. Bald-headed men have a reputation for being tireless lovers. That does not seem completely out of the blue. A Greek doctor found that men with a high concentration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) have an orgasm more often than men with a lower DHT level. Coincidence or not: a high concentration of DHT is also a cause of baldness.

Erection problems will disappear by themselves

1. Waiting for it to go away on its own is the worst advice you can think of. Problems often increase in older men simply because of aging. And in younger men, the problems can be made worse by performance anxiety, which often gets worse. In short: the longer an erection problem exists, the more difficult it will be to turn the tide. The right advice is: don't wait and make an appointment with the doctor.

2. Waiting for it to clear up on its own is the worst advice you can think of. Problems often increase in older men, simply because of aging. And in younger men, the problems can be exacerbated by performance anxiety, which often gets worse. In short: the longer an erection problem exists, the more difficult it will be to turn the tide. The right advice is: don't wait and make an appointment with the doctor.

It is unhealthy for a man not to peak

1. No, this is not physically harmful and it is not at the expense of subsequent erections.

Erectile dysfunction is in the mind

1. Psychological influences often play a role at a young age, but physical problems are a more likely cause at a later age. If a man does have morning erections, if he does get an erection with masturbation, and if the problems start suddenly, this indicates a psychological cause, such as insecurity about sexual performance. If the problems start more gradually and there are no more morning erections, then a physical cause is more obvious. Once a man has erectile dysfunction, he can also develop performance anxiety over time. And vice versa: if the erection problems decrease thanks to a treatment, this can give confidence in your own abilities again, which reduces the fear of failure.

2. Psychological influences often play a role at a young age, but physical problems are a more likely cause at a later age. If a man does have morning erections, if he does get an erection with masturbation, and if the problems start suddenly, this indicates a psychological cause, such as insecurity about sexual performance. If the problems start more gradually and there are no more morning erections, then a physical cause is more obvious. Once a man has erectile dysfunction, he can also develop performance anxiety over time. And vice versa: if the erection problems are reduced thanks to a treatment, this can give back confidence in your own abilities, which reduces the fear of failure.

Erectile dysfunction is part of aging

1. Erectile dysfunction occurs at any age, but older men are more likely to suffer from it. Research shows that 14 percent of all Dutch men suffer from it. In the age group 41 to 50 years, 14 percent have erectile dysfunction, in men between 51 and 70 years 30 percent and in 71 to 80 year olds it is 42 percent. Few men go to the doctor for it. Less than four in a thousand consultations are about erection problems. And the men who go to the doctor only do so after about two years. It's not just because of shame; older men are less likely to experience erectile dysfunction as a problem and therefore do not seek help for it. But whether it 'just belongs' can only be determined by the man and his partner.

2. Erectile dysfunction occurs at any age, but older men are more likely to suffer from it. Research shows that 14 percent of all Dutch men suffer from it. In the age group 41 to 50 years, 14 percent have erectile dysfunction, in men between 51 and 70 years 30 percent and in 71 to 80 year olds it is 42 percent. Few men go to the doctor for it. Less than four out of a thousand consultations are about erection problems. And the men who go to the doctor only do so after about two years. It's not just because of shame; older men are less likely to experience erectile dysfunction as a problem and therefore do not seek help for it. But whether it 'just belongs' can only be determined by the man and his partner.

Eggs are good for potency

1. Sperm is made up of protein, so if you eat protein, you get more sperm. Too bad, but that's not right. There is no link between eating eggs and the ability to ejaculate more frequently. The exception: if you have a proven protein deficiency, an extra egg will not hurt to make sperm.

2. Semen is made up of protein, so if you eat protein you get more semen. Too bad, but that's not right. There is no link between eating eggs and the ability to ejaculate more frequently. The exception: if you have a proven protein deficiency, an extra egg will not hurt to make sperm.

The older you get, the less you feel like having sex

1. Age has nothing to do with sex drive. In fact, when you are a little older, you no longer have to worry about unwanted pregnancy and you may also not be so concerned about whether you still look your best during sex. If there are physical problems, such as arthritis, it may diminish the meaning.

2. Age has nothing to do with sex drive. In fact, when you are a little older, you no longer have to worry about unwanted pregnancy and you may also no longer pay attention to whether you still look your best during sex. If there are physical problems, such as arthritis, it can diminish the meaning.

There is little difference between erection pills

1. There are roughly three types of erection pills, which differ from each other in effect and use. Which type is suitable mainly depends on the personal situation. Therefore, discuss with your doctor which erection pill is best for you.

The GP will automatically give you the best erection pill

1. A patient who asks the doctor for a specific erection pill, is sometimes prescribed it without further ado. Reason: GPs may also find it difficult to talk about sexuality. Because as a patient you benefit from proper information about the different substances, it is better not to ask for a prescription for a specific erection pill, but for information about the different substances. Only then can you choose the erection pill that best suits your own situation.

Erection pills can also be ordered online

1. About 97 percent of the erection pills available on the internet are fake pills (source: RIVM). They do not work and can also pose a health hazard. The fake drugs sometimes contain the strangest ingredients, such as ink and plastic. And if you have not been given a fake drug, but a real erection pill, there is also a health risk. After all, any drug can have side effects.

There is no link between an enlarged prostate and erection problems

1. Of the approximately 800,000 men with erectile dysfunction, about half also have benign enlargement of the prostate. In other words, these two 'disorders' occur very often at the same time.

You cannot do anything about erection problems yourself

1. Anyway. More exercise (at least thirty minutes a day) is the only measure that helps according to scientific research. Other measures, such as quitting smoking or losing weight, will not make erectile dysfunction worse, but will not lessen the problem. More exercise is good for the blood vessels, which are crucial for getting a good erection. Quitting smoking and tackling obesity is also good for blood flow, but the damage that smoking and obesity do is not that easy to reverse.