Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction: An Inclusive Guide
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) is caused by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, not by physical problems.
It’s common and often reversible with therapy, lifestyle changes, or counselling.
Unlike physical ED, psychogenic ED stems from the mind, not the body.
In this blog, we’ll explain its causes, symptoms, and the most effective treatment options to help restore confidence and improve sexual performance.
Read on to know all about Psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
What do you understand by psychogenic erectile dysfunction?
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction is a failure to acquire and maintain an erection for sexual performance due to various mental factors.
However, psychogenic erectile dysfunction is quite common in young men.
It is often noticed that almost 85.2% of men below 40 years struggle with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction not only affects your sexual health but also impacts mood, quality of life & interpersonal relationships.
Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction: What are its symptoms?
Failing to attain an erection occasionally is not uncommon or a major reason for concern.
However, when a man finds it difficult to attain or maintain an erection during sexual activity half of the time, it can be erectile dysfunction.
Here are some symptoms of psychogenic erectile dysfunction:
- Trouble attaining an erection
- Not able to have an erection
- Loss of erection before engaging in sexual activity with a partner
- Interest in sexual activity but problem performing
- Premature or delayed ejaculation
Remember, symptoms of psychogenic erectile dysfunction can differ from person to person.
However, awareness of symptoms and how erectile dysfunction influences your sexual performance can aid you in getting the right treatment.
What are the different causes of psychogenic erectile dysfunction?
The erection process needs coordination between your blood vessels and psychological & neurological factors.
Any changes in components of erectile response can disturb your sexual performance and can be caused by:
Emotional stress
Certain external pressures, like family issues, work-related stress, and relationship problems, can make you suffer from emotional stress.
As a result, your ability to be involved in sexual activity is also disturbed.
Discover how Stress can lead to erection problems among males.
Depression
The relationship between erectile dysfunction and depression is probably bidirectional.
This means that depression can be a cause as well as an effect of psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Anxiety
Feelings of anxiety can take place based on your fear of appearance, sexual performance, self-confidence, or external pressures.
Partner conflicts
Sometimes, conflicts can cause stress or emotional trauma that can obstruct your ability to be involved in sexual activity with your partner.
When you feel pressured into sexual activity, it can cause psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Low self-esteem
This can be linked to performance during or before sexual activity, which can lead to feelings of shame or inadequacy.
Cultural or religious beliefs
A man’s attitude towards sexual activity can be affected by their religious or cultural beliefs.
Trauma
You might suffer from an emotional response during sexual activity and in sexual relationships due to a history of sexual abuse or trauma.
To heal your problem, it is necessary to address it with your mental health professional.
Diagnosing psychogenic erectile dysfunction
After a physical examination and assessment of your clinical history, a doctor will diagnose psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
In case the primary triggers for your ED symptoms are situational, then you might be diagnosed with PED disorder.
You might suffer from ED as a side effect of a medicine or your pre-existing health disorder, like diabetes mellitus or hypotension.
To identify whether the cause of your ED is organic or psychogenic, the doctor might perform some blood tests to assess:
- Blood count
- Glucose levels
- Lipid levels
- Testosterone levels
Such types of blood tests will aid in recognising the underlying health conditions that cause organic ED.
What are the Treatments for Psychogenic erectile dysfunction?
Here are various treatment methods which can help you treat psychogenic erectile dysfunction:
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has become a potential and promising treatment option for young men.
This treatment can also present new stimulation techniques, like physical motivation, to increase sexual desire.
However, research is still required to recognise the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for men of all ages.
Anxiety reduction
Undertaking root causes of external stress, like low self-confidence and work-related, relationship, or family stress, can decrease & prevent PED.
Couples counseling
Counselling offers an enabling and safe space for couples to communicate about sexual and emotional issues.
This further allows for increased intimacy and enhanced communication.
Also, couples counselling helps in increasing sexual satisfaction and treating psychogenic erectile dysfunction problems.
Medicines
There are numerous over-the-counter and prescription ED medicines that can assist in improving erectile function in men.
The first line of treatment for mood disorders is when your erectile dysfunction coexists with anxiety or sadness.
Antidepressants, also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, reduce symptoms of depression & anxiety, leading to PEDS.
An over-the-counter medicine called sildenafil citrate helps men suffering from depression’s erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, SSRIS and sildenafil citrate can be combined to effectively treat mood problems.
Find out if Sildenafil can help with conditions like premature ejaculation.
Can you prevent psychogenic erectile dysfunction?
High-quality sexual therapy is effective in relieving psychogenic erectile dysfunction by decreasing performance anxiety & anticipatory sexual anxiety.
Also, pleasure-oriented support for future sexual encounters can be integrated.
When do you need to visit your doctor?
In case your relationship is affected by psychogenic erectile dysfunction, then it’s time for you to get medical attention.
When it is left untreated, psychogenic erectile dysfunction can lead to long-term effects on your mental health and relationships.
While suffering from psychogenic erectile dysfunction, do not feel ashamed and discuss with your doctor to find the right treatment plan.
Therefore, it is easy to treat and prevent psychogenic erectile dysfunction and decrease strain on your mental health as well as relationships.
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Treatment that may help overcome your psychogenic ED include:
- Psychotherapy
- Relationship counselling
- ED medications
Managing related conditions like BPH and lifestyle changes such as improved diet and exercise may also help.
Doctors may check for physical causes of your ED through blood tests measuring glucose, testosterone, lipids, and more. If no physical cause is found, the ED may be psychological as they may advise your treatment accordingly.
Yes, it often resolves over time, especially with treatment for underlying stress or anxiety.
Duration varies widely from person to person. It may last months or years, depending on the individual and the root psychological issue, and Recovery is possible with proper treatment.
Yes, Psychogenic ED is often temporary and situational. It can improve with lifestyle changes, therapy, or a change in circumstances, or partner.
Yes, Overthinking and anxiety disrupt the brain’s role in arousal, potentially leading to ED. Worrying about performance often makes the problem worse and can affect your sexual responses, too.