What Goes Up Must Come Down

While it's generally accepted that women may struggle with orgasm, men are often expected to be ready to go at any point. In reality, men can have just as many issues as women.

Just because you want to be up and ready for action doesn't mean it'll happen on demand. Stress and performance anxiety can take their toll and that's before you even get into the myriad other things that can affect an erection, including alcohol, prescribed and non-prescribed drugs and an unhealthy lifestyle. Sometimes it can be your body's way of saying you're not ready to have sex with a partner too.

Whether it's down to inexperience, insecurity or simply extreme arousal, there's no reason to worry about it unless it happens every time. Delay condoms can help, or if you're able to climax more than once, wait for your body to recover then try again. The second erection will often last longer than the first (which is why some guys masturbate before a date - another useful coping mechanism) There are plenty of ways to pleasure your partner with your hands or mouth  - and a love ring can help speed her orgasm too.

Similarly, there may well be a time when you really want to come but you can't. This can be due to stress, certain medications, alcohol or a host of other reasons. Again, unless it's a regular problem, don't be too concerned - though your partner may need reassurance that they are attractive.

Some men have their foreskin removed for religious or health. The foreskin helps protect the glans of the penis and also helps the penis self-lubricate. As such, if a guy's had his removed, you'll probably need to use a lot more lube during manual play.

Regardless of the issue, it doesn't make you less of a man, and if a partner judges you harshly it's worth considering whether they have your best interests at heart. However, rather than ignoring any problems, it's always worth visiting the doctor if you're concerned about what's going on down below. Erection issues can indicate medical disorders such as diabetes, and it's always better to catch these things early.