ED is common. The shame shouldn't be.
It's November. The moustaches are growing, the WhatsApp groups are full of dodgy mo-progress photos, and everyone is talking about men's health.
Well, almost everything about men's health.
Because there's one topic that still doesn't come up around the braai: erectile dysfunction. So let's be the ones to say it. Out loud. No jokes, no nudge-nudge, wink-wink.
First things first: you are not the only one
Erectile dysfunction (ED) simply means having trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. Every man has an off night now and then. When it keeps happening, that's when it's worth paying attention.
And it's far more common than most men think. One of the best-known studies on the topic found that around half of men between 40 and 70 experience some degree of ED. In our own 2024 Consumer Report, 90% of men using herbal boosters said they wanted a stronger erection.
So statistically speaking, a good few of the oukies at your braai are dealing with it too. They're just not saying anything either.
Why we stay quiet
We grow up being told that real men are always ready, always up for it, always in control. So when your body doesn't cooperate, it feels like you've failed some kind of manhood test.
That feeling is the real problem. Not the ED.
Shame makes men avoid intimacy, avoid their partners and avoid the doctor. Partners start to wonder if it's their fault. And slowly, a very common and very manageable issue turns into distance, frustration and silence.
4 myths we need to retire
Myth 1: "It only happens to old men." Nope. Stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and lack of sleep affect men of every age. Our report found depression is one of the leading conditions affecting men in their 20s and 30s.
Myth 2: "It means he's not attracted to me." For partners reading this: ED is almost never about you. It's about blood flow, hormones, stress and the brain, not desire.
Myth 3: "It's all in your head." Sometimes stress plays a big role, sure. But ED often has a physical cause too, which is exactly why it deserves to be taken seriously.
Myth 4: "There's nothing you can do." There's plenty you can do. That's the good news.
ED can be your body's early warning system
Here's the part every man needs to hear: erections depend on healthy blood vessels. Problems down there can be an early sign of high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease, sometimes years before other symptoms show up.
So if ED has become a regular thing, see your doctor. Not because you're broken, but because your body might be trying to tell you something important. Think of it as your Movember check-up.
How to break the silence
- Talk to your partner. Pick a calm moment outside the bedroom. Something as simple as "I've been stressed and it's been affecting me, and I want us to figure it out together" changes everything.
- Talk to your doctor. They have this conversation every week. You won't shock them.
- Look after the basics. Sleep, movement, less alcohol and less stress help your heart and your sex life.
- Talk to your friends. You'd be amazed how many "me too"s you get when one guy goes first.
Takbok #meerhoring is a natural herbal booster made for men who want a stronger, longer-lasting erection. It supports healthy blood flow when you're aroused, so it still needs stimulation (and connection) to work.
It's not a replacement for seeing your doctor, and it's not a cure-all. But for a lot of men, it's the confidence boost that helps them stop worrying and start enjoying intimacy again.
ED is common. It's often manageable. And it says nothing about how much of a man you are.
This Movember, do something braver than growing a moustache: start the conversation.
SHOP NOW | READ: HOW DOES TAKBOK WORK?
This article is for informative purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your medical practitioner if you suspect sexual dysfunction or before taking any new supplement, especially if you take chronic medication.