Is it not as hard as before, is it impotence?

Patient's question:

Single, unmarried
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose:
I have been experiencing issues with the frequency and quality of my erections since last year. Recently, it's been difficult to feel an erection, or if I do, it's not as hard as it used to be. Is this what they call impotence? I've rarely felt an erection lately, only during nighttime when I wake up, but it disappears immediately afterward, within seconds! Additionally, I have not engaged in sexual activity!!
Duration and onset of the current condition: 2
Current general condition: Rarely have erections, and when I do, they are not firm and pass quickly, at most

Doctor's answer:

Hello: Impotence refers to young and middle-aged individuals who, due to causes such as deficiency, fright, and damp-heat, experience the loss of nourishment in the zongjin (penile tissues), leading to relaxation and weakness, resulting in a flaccid penis that fails to erect during intercourse or an erection that cannot be maintained. It is often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, lower back and knee weakness, dizziness and tinnitus, coldness in the scrotum and penis, reduced semen volume or low sperm motility, a sense of fullness and pain in the perineum, difficulty urinating, or clear, frequent urination.
Treatment based on syndrome differentiation:
- Decline of mingmen fire: Warm and tonify the kidney yang, nourish the kidneys, and replenish essence.
- Damage to the heart and spleen: Tonify the heart and spleen.
- Fear damaging the kidneys: Benefit the kidneys and calm the mind.
- Liver qi stagnation: Soothe the liver and resolve stagnation.
- Damp-heat descending: Clear and resolve damp-heat.
However, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. You should consult a local traditional Chinese medicine hospital and combine the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation) to identify the specific symptoms and prescribe the appropriate medicine for effective treatment. Of course, many diseases can cause impotence, with prostatitis being the most common. You can undergo a prostatic fluid examination for confirmation. Wishing you a speedy recovery.