What is psychological ED?

Standard erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a guy can't get or maintain an erection that works for sex . When it's psychological ED, the symptoms are the same, but the symptom isn't coming from a physical problem (like poor blood supply or low testosterone). Instead the problem's rooted in the guy's thinking/emotional state.

Not sure if your ED is physical or psychological?

The questions I always ask are-

• Do you always get good erections masturbating ?

• Do you wake up in the AM with strong erections?

If the answer to both questions is ‘yes,’ it’s probably psychological.

100% best bet? Talk with your doctor.

How does psychological ED work physically?

Your penis is hydraulic system. When the muscles around the arteries of your penis relax, more blood flows in. Simultaneously, muscles at the base of your penis contract, preventing blood from leaving the penis. Blood flows in faster than it flows out. You get an erection.

Your nervous system has two modes:

• Fight or flight: sympathetic
• Rest and digest: parasympathetic

If you're in rest and digest mode, things work normally. You have good erections.

If you're in fight or flight mode, the brain wants to protect you be diverting blood to the large muscle groups needed for immediate survival. So it sends a signal to groin.

The small groin muscles that you want to loosen tighten and the muscles you want to tighten loosen. Not enough blood in the penis = no erection.

Click here to see the 'How does psychological ED work physically? 'video.

How many guys get psychological ED?

In general, ED is common and the risk increases with age. Some estimates suggest that more than 75% of men will experience ED at some time in their life (1), with about 40% of cases driven by psychological factors (2)

Who suffers from psychological ED

Guys can suffer from psychological ED at any time in their life, but it's more common with young guys. Research has shown that psychological issues are responsible for around 85% of cases of ED in men under the age of 40. This figure drops to 40% in men over the age of 40 (3).

What issues drive psychological ED?

• Performance anxiety - Concerns about sexual performance can lead to anxiety, which in turn, can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.
• Fear/trauma responses - Trauma resulting from sexual abuse or some other cause can trigger an unhealthy emotional response to sex.
• General psychological issues -Psychological issues not directly related to sex such as depression, OCD and bipolar disorder can have a negative effect on sexual performance. For example, being depressed can cause a lack of interest in many activities, including sex, and make it difficult to form connections with other people.
• Relationship issues: Unresolved conflict, anger, lack of attraction and other problems can create distance between partners, which in turn can hinder sexual desire and performance.
• Situational factors: Fatigue, not feeling turned on, and worry about your partner's anxiety or sexual pain, etc.
• Distorted thinking about sex and lack of skills.
• Religious or cultural beliefs: Cultural and religious beliefs can have a profound influence on an individual’s attitude towards sex, leading to negative feelings such as guilt and shame.

How can I resolve my psychological ED?

75% of guys with ED never seek any help (4). So, just by checking out sites like these, you've already taken a big step towards addressing the problem. The underlying psychological causes of ED are just as real as physical causes, They just require a different approach. To address the underlying psychological issues, you can do -

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Psychotherapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
• Sex Therapy
• Apps
• Viagra & Cialis
• Couples Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Online courses

To compare the effectiveness of these approaches, check out Psychological ED Treatment Reviews.

Where can I get help for psychological ED?

You can go here for a list of therapists who treat psychological ED.