You’ve got a problem in the bedroom – but you’re not quite sure what’s causing it.
Dealing with erectile dysfunction, or ED, can be a challenge for many men. You may feel like you’re disappointing both your partner and yourself, which can affect your relationship and your confidence.
Often, the cause of ED isn’t physical, but mental. Do you think you may be experiencing psychological erectile dysfunction? If so, is there anything you can do to fix it?
There are a few things that men need to understand and know about psychological ED – to learn more, keep reading for our guide to the issue. Plus, learn how you can solve the problem and restore your erections.
What Is Psychological Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, a condition where men struggle to maintain an erection, can be either physical or psychological.
If it’s physical, this means it is caused by medical conditions, such as aging, cancer, diabetes, or other issues that impact blood flow to the area. In contrast, psychological ED is caused by mental factors.
Sometimes, it can be hard to know which is the cause. So, the best option is to speak to your doctor first.
Through a series of questions and tests, they can rule out medical problems and help you better understand the cause of your ED.
Symptoms of psychological erectile dysfunction vary, but you may notice that you can have an erection on your own, or when watching pornography, but not with a partner. Also, if you find that you naturally wake up with morning erections, this is a good sign that everything is working well physically.
There are quite a few reasons behind this, so we will go through some of the most common causes below.
Relationship Issues
If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction signs, you may want to ask yourself how your relationship is going with your partner.
Often, relationship issues, concerns, or stresses can have an impact on ED. If you’ve been having problems with your other half, perhaps due to infidelity, financial issues, or disagreements, this can carry on into the bedroom.
Relationships are hard work sometimes, but if you can talk to your partner about what’s bothering you, you may find it can help ease the burden and help you feel more relaxed in the bedroom.
When talking to your partner about a tough topic, it helps to start the conversion at the right time, listen intently to their replies, and try to stay respectful and positive. Having difficult chats can actually make your relationship stronger, so it’s worth trying.
If you feel like you aren’t getting anywhere when you try to talk about relationship issues with your partner, it can sometimes be helpful to try relationship counseling. Having a third person involved to help mediate and offer suggestions makes it easier for both parties to express how they’re feeling in a safe environment.
Stress
Stress is something we all experience from time to time, but it can be hard to manage. If you’re feeling under the pump and undervalued at work, juggling family and social commitments, or worried about money, these things can all seep into the bedroom.
Even though you’re probably not thinking about work when you go to bed with your partner, the stress releases hormones into your body that can make it harder to have an erection. Your body is saying that sex isn’t a priority right now, even if your mind is thinking otherwise!
This can be very frustrating for both you and your partner, but you can improve the situation.
If you’re starting to notice symptoms of ED and you think it may be stress-related, the first step is to work on managing stress better. It may help to try regular exercise, speak to a confidant or therapist, or try practicing yoga or mindfulness to help relax.
Although it’s not always possible, getting enough sleep each night can also help your body better cope in stressful situations.
Depression
Stress is not the only mental health condition that can impact your ED – depression may be the cause.
Depression can affect men of any age and is more common than you may realize. It can make it hard to function in daily life but can be treated with therapy and medication.
If you experience feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or you’ve lost interest in activities you used to enjoy, you may want to speak to your doctor. With these symptoms, you can imagine how they might cause someone to lose interest in sex.
If you’re going through depression, you’ll know it’s more than just feeling sad on occasion. It can make it hard to function and can seriously impact your quality of life.
However, since depression is treatable, you will most likely notice an improvement to your desire and erections after beginning treatment.
Drug and alcohol use can be a coping mechanism for many who are going through depression, but it can actually make you feel worse in the long-term. To help beat depression, it’s best to avoid alcohol and drug use – these substances also aren’t doing your erections any favors.
Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem is another common cause of ED.
Those who deal with feelings of low self-esteem may feel like they are worthless or not good enough. They may also question why another person would desire them.
This can make it hard to perform in the bedroom. This often ties in with anxiety, another common cause of ED.
If you struggle with low self-esteem, it can be helpful to be kind to yourself, practice daily self-affirmations, and surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Over time, this can help you feel better about yourself.
Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety, or a feel of failure in the bedroom, is something most men have experienced. Men want to satisfy their partner, feel strong, and perform at their best.
However, you may feel nervous and worried about your size, physical appearance, or that you will ejaculate too quickly. Or, you may be seeing a new partner and feel intimidated or worried that you’ll disappoint them.
If this impacts you, try to relax and enjoy the moment. It can help to talk to your partner about your nerves or try out other ways of intimacy, such as massage and touch.
What Can I Do About ED?
If you’re concerned about ED, the first step is to acknowledge the issue and not to feel ashamed or embarrassed. It’s a common problem and something you can fix!
Next, talk to your doctor or nurse about the issue. They can help you figure out what’s causing the problem.
In the case of psychological ED, they may be able to offer a referral to a therapist or counselor who specializes in sexual issues. Or, they can help with medication, lifestyle changes, or mental health support that can help you work through the problem.
A few sessions with a therapist can help you pinpoint the cause of your ED and can help you work through it. Plus, mental health is often included in your insurance, if you have a referral from a doctor.
Medical professionals can also rule out any physical causes for ED – for some men, the issue can be both physical and mental.
In this case, you may find benefit from trying erectile dysfunction medications. There are a range of medicines that your doctor can describe for effective treatment of ED, such as Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra.
They work by relaxing muscles and helping to boost blood flow to the penis, allowing you to not only get an erection, but also to maintain it. If the medications are used correctly, they can be incredibly effective in treating ED.
Often, a combination of medication and the tips above can help men overcome their ED and get back to a healthy sex life.
Get Started and Improve Your Psychological ED
Psychological erectile dysfunction is a complex and challenging problem that can impact men in various ways. If any of the above causes sound familiar to you, you may be struggling with psychological ED.
Now that you know more about the issue, you can take steps to improve your health. Seek support, do more research online, and talk to your partner – then, develop a strategy of what to do next.
Having a rewarding and regular sex life is something many many enjoy through all stages of adult life. So, if you feel that you’re missing out because of ED, it’s time to do something about it.
Gets started today and bring your sex life back to how it once was! In no time at all, you’ll be managing your ED and back on track to leading a normal life.
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