I found an old column of yours that mentioned male chastity cages and the potential risk of causing erectile dysfunction (ED) by wearing one. And, I have to say I think wearing one overnight five years ago broke my penis. I asked my urologist about ED and he only gave me a sample of Viagra (which didn’t work) and never mentioned any other possible treatments. Is it too late to diagnose and repair my penis so I can achieve an erection again?

Feeling Frustrated

You wore cock cage for one night and you've never been able to get an erection again? — Dan

Yes, but I also smoked three packs a day and had diabetes and a very unhealthy lifestyle. So, I quit smoking over two years ago and lost sixty pounds with yoga and running and became vegetarian on the path to veganism and while I feel a stirring down there, it doesn’t get hard and it literally feels like a deflated flesh balloon. — FF

So… it might have been a coincidence that you wore that cock cage one night and then couldn’t get hard again after? Were you having erectile issues—related to your lifestyle-related health problems (good on you for working on those)—before you put on that cock cage? — Dan

Right, I always thought it was probably a coincidence because of my health issues, and I don’t recall any serious issues before with achieving an erection prior to that night. But my wife and I weren't really have sex much then, so... who knows? I do remember the last time my body tried to get a real erection I was asleep overnight in that cage and it never really worked again after. When I asked the Urologist about ED treatments he said that my insurance didn’t cover anything so we’ve just been living with it, and trying to get better with diet and exercise. — FF

I think you should try boner pills again—and there are others out there beside Viagra. And Viagra, which you only tried once, has to be used correctly, i.e. it has to be taken at least sixty minutes before sexual activity. And while you're supposed to take Viagra on an empty stomach, some men find that taking it with a little food improves its effectiveness. Experimenting with boner pills may help answer some questions—is this physiological or psychological problem—and it's possible to use boner pills for a while without becoming dependent on them forever. If the pills don’t help, ask your (new) Urologist about penile injection therapy. There are also pumps, implants, and suppository treatments for ED.

Soooooo many erectile dysfunction treatments, soooooo few (zero) male birth control options.

And here's something I don't recommend often: hypnosis. If everything checks out and you're in good working order (did you have your hormone levels checked?) and it was that one night in a cock cage that ruined your dick... perhaps you felt emasculated by it in some profound way and you a little hocus pocus would help set you right. — Dan

UPDATE: Here's another old column about male chastity devices and a bonus letter/ED meds tip from a reader...

I recently read a letter to you from a guy complaining about the cost of ED drugs. Some years ago I discovered that there's a generic alternative called Revatio. It's generally prescribed for some heart issues, but doctors will give a prescription if you need them for boners. I got mine thru Kaiser, but the bottle doesn't say Revatio, just sildenafil. Which is the boner ingredient. (I like saying boner). Anyway, the great thing about these pills is that they're 20mg doses, so you take 2-3 tablets to achieve what Viagra has. However, often I don't need to take 2-3, but just one. These are cheap to buy as well. So just in case you weren't aware, there's a cheaper way to get (you guessed it) a boner. Cheers!

Brad Of Oakland