The 5 Most Common Psychological Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

In this article, we’ll discuss some common psychological causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men.

Introduction

ED (Erectile Dysfunction) is a prevalent medical condition today. It is estimated that around 30 million men in the US suffer from erectile dysfunction. ED or impotence is described as the condition wherein a man faces difficulty in achieving or sustaining an erection. A lot of reasons can cause impotence. These reasons are generally categorized as physical and psychological.

Physical reasons can include any physiological causes responsible for impotence in men. Physical reasons for ED would include factors like side effects from drugs, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Low testosterone is also a reason for impotence. Existing medical issues like poor cardiac health, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are additional causes.

Psychological Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

If you are diagnosed with psychological ED, you need to know that the problem can be completely cured, provided that you cooperate with your doctor or therapist. Psychological impotence is an indication of a problematic lifestyle or relationship. The major causes of psychologically induced impotence include anxiety, depression, and relationship troubles. A proper diagnosis of the cause of ED is crucial to treat the problem.

You might get yourself Viagra or Cialis pills if you experience ED symptoms. No matter what, the drugs will allow you to get an erection, but gradually, there may come a situation when you’re dependent on drugs to get an erection. This can hide your issues behind a drug but it will not address the real cause of your problem. Thus, it is recommended to seek the required help. Now let us discuss the causes of psychological ED.

Also Read: Best ED Medicines

1. Anxiety

Among all the cases of psychologically induced ED, anxiety is the most common issue. Anxiety can induce physical symptoms like an increase in the heart rate or blood pressure, and even increased levels of sweating. All of these factors can affect the day to day functioning of an individual.

Performance anxiety before sex is something that ample young men struggle with. If not addressed timely, men can fall into the guilt-anxiety trap. Men who believe that they could not provide the desired pleasure to their partner get anxious about future sexual encounters and this cycle of bad sexual experiences continues.

2. Stress

Stress is one of the most popular reasons for lifestyle illnesses today. Stress can prove to be a good motivating force, but it can also act as a deterrent when it comes to overall health. An increase in stress makes the body secrete a hormone called cortisol, which negatively impacts a lot of bodily functions.

Increased cortisol levels affect the synthesis of other endocrine hormones and also slow down healing. A high amount of cortisol would also affect the functioning of testicles, causing a drop in testosterone levels of males. This reduces the sex drive and results in impotence.

3. Relationship Troubles

No relationship is perfect. There are disagreements in every relationship, and an unsatisfactory sex life could also be a reason for distressed relationships. If such is the case with you, communication could be of help. Consider sitting with your partner and communicating about your issues when it comes to sex. There may be things that your partner does that don’t get you aroused. Or vice-versa. Open discussion helps identify the root cause.

It is also possible that you are rushing the whole process of sex and getting straight to intercourse without adequate foreplay. This does not allow your penis to achieve complete arousal. Orgasm becomes difficult to control and erections last for a short duration.

Try taking your time and not rushing things. Sometimes, it could also happen that your partner isn’t enjoying the act and this can make you uncomfortable. In this case, you could try figuring their sexual desires and working towards that path. If you face difficulties communicating with your partner, you can always opt for couples counseling.

4. Depression

Depression is a severe mental health condition and to our dismay, it is still not addressed the way it should be. It is not just sadness or a state of mind, rather a condition that affects the all-round psychological state of an individual.

Diagnosis of depression in men is generally not easy because of the stereotypes and societal norms laid out. It is a result of this social conditioning that a lot of men ignore their symptoms while others are just too reluctant to reach out for help.

Depression can ruin sexual relationships. A depressed individual finds it tough to enjoy and experience joy. For him, life feels like an endless saga of gloom and despair, which sucks the pleasure and joy out of a lot of events, sex being one of them. Consequently, a depressed person may find it hard to get an erection.

Depression must be treated as soon as possible because it could lead to other health complications like reduced immunity and chronic fatigue. Depression also puts you at an increased risk of resorting to substance abuse.

5. Pornography Addiction

This may not sound right, but yes, pornography can also be an addiction. In case you didn’t know, porn-induced ED is real. And the worst part? It is more dangerous than any other addiction like substance abuse, as there is no risk of overdosing or losing your life. The fact is, excess of porn distorts your perception of sex and you could face issues like erectile dysfunction. Consider reducing your intake of pornographic content in this case.

Also Read: Best Dietary Supplements For ED

Psychological Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction: Wrap Up

In the case of physical issues, you can easily buy generic Viagra online and fix your problem. But, is it the right solution if the problem is in your mind?

Out of the total reported cases of ED, it is observed that in around 10-20% of these cases, men experience psychological ED. This makes it clear that ED can be a psychological issue as well. Although it would be wrong to say that all cases of ED are psychological.

To know the root cause of your ED, you should first consult your doctor. He would help you figure out the real cause and even send you to a sex therapist if needed. You should know that psychological ED can be cured and all it takes for you is to look for help, which in this case, is your doctor.