When a person is unable to achieve an erection powerful enough to allow for enjoyable intercourse, erectile dysfunction develops. This can apply to erections that aren't as strong or long-lasting as you'd want.
Erectile dysfunction (ED), the most common type of sexual dysfunction, can be traumatising yet affects up to 30 million American men, according to some doctors. There are numerous potential ED triggers, some of which are physical and others psychological. One of these psychological causes is stress.
How can stress cause ED?
Numerous bodily symptoms, such as sadness, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches, can be brought on by stress. Even your heart and immune system may get weakened by ongoing stress. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that stress might impact the quality of your erections.
Blood enters the penis during erections in response to signals from the brain. However, anxiety can obstruct the body’s and the brain’s communication. Even though you may be psychologically stimulated, your brain may not be receiving the proper signals to cause an erection.
If you’ve heard that a lot of sexual behavior is “all in your head,” it’s not simply a catchphrase. The following are many forms of stress that might cause ED:
- Psychological stress, which can include concerns with self-esteem, performance anxiety, or sexual trauma, is typically encountered by younger males.
- Professional stress: In middle-aged men, this frequently causes ED.
- Certain life events: Significant life events, such as a change in health, losing a job, having financial difficulties, or experiencing relationship issues, can cause ED at any age.
Erection disorders can be brought on by anxiety and depression on their own, and men who are anxious or depressed sometimes add unhealthy coping techniques to the mix, which can exacerbate ED.
How to treat stress-related ED
Speak openly about your health and lifestyle with a healthcare professional if you have ED and believe it may be caused by stress. They’ll be able to give you advice about if stress may be contributing to your ED.
Since ED can be an early indicator of physical health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional as soon as you notice it.
The good news is that there are several methods you can use to lessen stress if that is the primary cause of your ED.
Other treatment options for ED
There are still several choices available to you if reducing your stress isn’t enough to cure your ED.
Oral medications: ED drugs are thought to be secure and efficient. There are several, including vardenafil (brand names Levitra and Staxyn), tadalafil (brand name Cialis; see Important Safety Information), and sildenafil (brand name Viagra; see Important Safety Information).
If your ED is caused by low testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy is an option. You can do this by getting an injection, wearing a patch, or applying a gel to your skin.
Some guys have found natural treatments for ED to be successful. Certain supplements, including DHEA, ginseng, L-arginine, L-carnitine, and Yohimbe, may be beneficial, according to certain research.
See this article for details on the causes of Men Health.
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