Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction: When Your Mind Plays Tricks on Your Penis

According to the Cleveland Clinic, erectile dysfunction, or ED as it is commonly called, is the most common sex-related condition that men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) report to healthcare providers. While there are various reasons a person might experience ED, one of the most frustrating is when the problem stems from psychological roots. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction, including what you can do to get your sex life back on track.

ED is a penile disorder in which a male is unable to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Library of Medicine, it’s estimated that by 2025, roughly 322 million males of different ages and backgrounds will suffer from ED. If you find yourself among them, knowing that you are not alone is essential. It’s also important to know that while the risk of ED increases with age, countless men under 40 are battling the condition, and many of these suffer from what is now called Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction – the inability to get hard based on mental or emotional factors rather than physical or medical conditions.

Your state of mind causes psychogenic ED. Sounds odd? It’s not. In fact, in men under the age of 40, it’s reported that 85% of ED cases are related to psychological factors. Yep, our brains can have a tremendous impact on the function of our penises. So, what exactly causes psychogenic ED? There are several ways your overactive mind might trigger sexual performance problems. Here are a few of the most common:

1.  Sexual Performance Anxiety (SPA)

In our humble opinion, this is a big one because performance anxiety tends to snowball once it’s experienced. While it’s certainly not uncommon to find yourself facing boner failure once in a while (it happens!), if it becomes a persistent problem, it can develop into all-out performance anxiety. Whether it’s the fear of not pleasing your partner, general feelings of inadequacy, worries that you might climax too soon, concerns about the size of your penis, poor body image, or any other anxiety that finds its way into your head, SPA can make it hard to get complicated. Fortunately, there are natural supplements and prescription medications that can help get you over the hump and regain your sexual confidence.

2.  Relationship Issues

Sometimes love and attraction fades, and when they vanish, so can your sex drive, including your ability to work up an erection. Failing relationships can make you less interested in sharing a physical connection with your partner. If things deteriorate too much, it can lead to anxiety in the bedroom and an inability to perform. Of course, a challenging period in a relationship doesn’t necessarily mean that the relationship is a negative one. If you’re having problems but still want a future together, have a frank talk with your significant other about concerns you both might be feeling. Even better, seek relationship counseling from a professional. Once things in your relationship are back on track, there’s a perfect chance your penis will fall in line, too.

3.  Stress

Stress is a mental factor that impacts a person physically. When a male is under extreme or persistent stress, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol, which can cause the heartbeat to quicken and, in some instances, decrease blood flow to the arteries of the penis, making it more challenging to achieve an erection. Plus, stress tends to build if not adequately addressed. The more stressed out you get, the more performance problems you’re likely to experience. Also, widespread stress coping mechanisms, such as drinking and smoking, can contribute to sexual dysfunction and worsen your ED problem. If you are experiencing prolonged stress, you need to address it, whether through meditation, yoga, lifestyle changes, or therapy. Along with ED, stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and other serious health concerns.

4.  Depression

Depression is dangerous on many levels and should be addressed as soon as possible. One side effect of not feeling joy or appreciating the pleasures of life is a loss of interest in sex, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Depression is often treated with doctor-prescribed medications, many of which have been shown to improve libido and sexual function in males who take them to combat depression. If you think you or someone close to you might be suffering from depression, please seek help from your doctor or a healthcare professional right away. The problem will not likely go away on its own.

5.  Low Self-Esteem

This is somewhat related to reason #1, performance anxiety, in that low self-esteem can lead to sexual worries. However, low self-esteem goes beyond feelings of sexual inadequacy to include overall self-worth. If you do not love yourself, it can be hard to love others.

6.  Guilt

Whether you’re feeling guilty for letting your partner down (it can be for any number of reasons, not just sexually), are feeling remorse for cheating with another person, or are hiding your true feelings from your partner, guilt can be a boner killer.

7.  Psychological Trauma

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been proven to be related to erectile dysfunction. It’s critical to note that the root cause is not necessarily sexual trauma; it can be due to experiencing combat, a serious health scare or accident, or even witnessing a traumatic event.

Only a doctor can determine whether ED is a medical or mental condition. However, you can do some self-examination, as well. Ask yourself a few questions.

If you answer yes to these questions, there’s a good chance your problems might be psychological. Ultimately, it takes a medical doctor to rule out the physical causes of ED, which can only be done with an in-person exam.

Fortunately, there are several natural male performance enhancement and health supplements on the market that many men swear by to improve sexual performance, regain confidence, and enjoy healthy sex lives. These products are an innovative and safe first option for healthy males seeking firmer and longer-lasting erections. Additionally, medications such as Viagra and Cialis, which are available with a prescription, have been shown to help patients with ED.