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Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is a sexual problem in which a man has trouble achieving or keeping an erection. Erectile problems can be classified as follows:
- Physical
- Lifestyle
- Psychological
With nearly 50% of all men over 40 years old suffering from ED in the US alone, it’s not rare for men to experience ED at some point in their lifetime. In most cases, the lead-up to erectile dysfunction is caused by a physical deterioration or inter-related health disorders. This includes aging, heart diseases, tobacco use, and genetic disorders. But even so, this condition can cross over the different classifications and aren’t entirely separable.
What do we mean by this? It’s not an uncommon occurrence when ED can stem from mental health issues such as low self-esteem and depression. According to research published in the Well-being Institute of the University of Cambridge, up to 20% of men suffering from ED do so because of psychological reasons. Psychological impotence is the term given for this condition.
For men who are feeling stressed or immobilized by erectile dysfunction, it can be an obstacle in their sex life and can also adversely affect romantic relationships. This condition doesn’t only affect the older demographic, but it can also negatively impact young adult men.
If you believe that you’re suffering from psychogenic erectile dysfunction, contacting a professional medical expert to improve your testosterone and psychological ED is an important first step in treating it and restoring your life.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Sexual Performance Anxiety
People who fear that they’ll perform badly in the bedroom and fail to satisfy their partner have an experience known as sexual performance anxiety.
If the fear is so paralyzing, you’re also more prone to experience ED or sexual dysfunction.
The reason? As your body gets stressed or anxious about a particular situation, it will signal chemicals in your brain to release hormones you know as cortisol and adrenaline. The production of these chemicals signals the body to enter a state of fight or flight, telling our bodies that there’s a dangerous threat — causing you to get into survival mode.
These hormones make your muscles tense and cause your heart to beat at a more rapid pace.
This performance anxiety, in turn, impacts blood pressure by promoting a reduction of blood flow to your blood vessels. Considering that the penis relies on ample blood flow to maintain an erection, this decreased blood flow diminishes your chance of attaining an erection.
Relationship Problems and Psychological Impotence
Reduced sexual function caused by psychological impotence can cause a strain on a romantic relationship. Relationship issues can be tough to deal with since erectile dysfunction negatively affects your and your partner’s sex life.
A good way to resolve the differences is to cultivate honest communication channels with your partner about this issue—as well as consider the steps that you can both take to move forward with this hindrance.
While the thought of having psychological impotence can be debilitating for your sexual partner, there are treatment measures to help you rise above these challenges caused by ED.
For instance, both of you can consult a mental health professional and talk to a mental health professional to provide relevant advice for your case.
Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction and Mental Health
Pornography-Induced Erectile Dysfunction (PIED) is a type of sexual dysfunction that’s brought about by excessive pornographic consumption. Masturbating to pornography and its visual or mental image is a big contributor to a worsening state of psychological ED in men.
With how accessible it is to find free, online porn in this day and age, this condition has afflicted many men—particularly young men—with an increased chance of getting erectile dysfunction.
While there’s no scientific evidence that directly correlates the overconsumption of porn with ED, there are notable consequences that medical professionals recognize as a problem for many men.
- Watching too much porn can lead to unrealistic sexual expectations, leading to frustration for both partners.
- Men are more prone to feel guilty when they use porn as a crutch to satisfy their sexual desire.
- Masturbating too much can hyperstimulate the penis, which can naturally make it harder for men to experience an orgasm during vaginal or oral sex.
If you suspect that your porn usage is excessive, don’t hesitate to consult a medically trained ED professional to help set you back on track. They’ve done this countless times before; and your confidence and self-esteem matter in the long run.
Psychological Issues Caused by Depression
Many men struggle to understand why their sexual arousal isn’t as potent as it once was—and this realization can lead them to spiral into a state of depression. More often than not, this can be attributed to psychological causes which include stress, anxiety, and depression.
Studies have shown that there is a connection between depression and the progression of erectile dysfunction.
Physicians have often been able to treat ED by prescribing antidepressants to the patient to get them to perform sexually better again. Undergoing lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can also help prevent and cure the depressive state of an individual.
Treatment Options for Psychological Erectile Dysfunction
While erectile dysfunction can be classified into different types and is more complex than other illnesses, it can be cured.
Here are some ways that ED caused by psychological factors can be treated:
- Medical treatments for erectile dysfunction
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT)
- Rhythmic breathing
- Daily meditation
- Guided imagery
It’s normal to have a lot on your mind when you undergo these activities. It can be helpful to share your thoughts and problems with your doctor to help you along the healing process.
Moreover, talking with your partner can give you some reassurance about your current state and prevent you from succumbing to low self-esteem or performance anxiety.
It’s important to recognize that while ED can be hard to process, there’s still plenty of avenues for you not to suffer in silence.
Takeaways for Improving and Treating Psychological Erectile Dysfunction
Psychological erectile dysfunction is a dreadful disease. It can be life-changing and can drastically affect one’s sex life.
But with the right approaches, such as finding professional medical advice and being open with your partner, you may be able to rise above the disease and live a fairly normal life again.
Thus, it’s recommended for you to consult a men’s medical clinic to get you a proper diagnosis. It is treatable.
If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, call the team at Precise Men’s Medical Center in Cleveland now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Ohio’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
