Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is a common sexual health problem that affects a person’s ability to get or keep an erection. If you are living with erectile dysfunction, it’s important that you speak to your doctor as most cases have a physical cause that shouldn’t be ignored. Physical causes include hormone problems, diabetes and heart disease.
It’s important to remember that most men will be affected by erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives and it isn’t anything to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Despite this, it can have a significant impact on your self esteem, relationships, sex life and mental health. But mental health issues can also be the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction and we’re here to tell you about the way that your mental health can affect your ability to get an erection.
Around 10-20% of all erectile dysfunction is caused by an underlying psychological issue, which could stem from sexual trauma or abuse. If you have a history of sexual trauma, speaking to your doctor about this could help you access the treatment and support you need.
According to the NHS, mental health issues and mental illness are more likely to be the cause of erectile dysfunction if you can sometimes get an erection and are only unable to occasionally. An example of this might be if you get an erection in the morning, but not during sexual activity. Here are some of the more common mental health problems that could be affecting your sex life:
Low self esteem: feelings of inadequacy or insecurity can have a huge impact on libido and be extremely detrimental to someone’s ability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual function. If you think that low self esteem might be affecting you negatively, it’s important not to
put too much pressure on yourself and instead focus on building your confidence at your own pace.
Stress:
Stress is one of the most common psychological triggers of erectile dysfunction and could be related to a number of issues including problems at work, money troubles, relationship issues or traumatic events. Even small amounts of stress can have an impact on your libido and sexual health.
Depression:
Depression can have a significant impact on a person’s sex drive, desire to have sex and ability to get an erection. It’s important to see a doctor about depression. Your doctor might refer you to therapy and/or prescribe antidepressants to help you manage. If depression is the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction, then you should see an improvement along with treatment.
Anxiety:
Anxiety impacts your body as well as your mind. Common symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, palpitations, increased heart rate, excess sweating and blood pressure issues. These symptoms can lead to erectile dysfunction or body image issues that can also impact on sexual health. Anxiety can also lead to excessive worrying about sexual performance, which could be having a detrimental effect.
Side effects of certain medications, which could include medications prescribed to treat mental illness can also have an impact on your libido, desire to have sex, sexual health and, in turn, lead to erectile dysfunction.
Don’t get caught up in the cycle! Someone who has been struggling to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual function might experience insecurities about their ability to perform sexually or pleasure their partner. While erectile dysfunction can impact relationships, a supportive partner will be understanding and support your decision to get treatment.
When you visit your doctor, they will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing as well as taking a look at your genitals to rule out any obvious physical causes. They will carry out basic health checks, which might include blood tests or taking your blood pressure. Your doctor will also ask you about any problems you might be having in your life or relationship and might recommend some lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms.
Healthy lifestyle choices that might improve erectile dysfunction include:
● Maintain a healthy weight
● Quit smoking
● Eat healthy food
● Exercise regularly
As well as recommending medication, lifestyle changes and therapy (such as CBT), your GP might recommend sex therapy, which you can access via the NHS (but waiting lists are long) or pay for privately. Sex therapy is delivered by a qualified medical professional who has had extra training to specialise in sexual health.
Maintaining good mental health and sexual health are key in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, so please don’t delay seeking help.
