Mental Health and Erectile Dysfunction: How are they Linked?

Erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that’s firm enough for enjoyable intercourse, is one of the most common and pervasive sexual health issues for men. As many as 30 million American men deal with this problem, which may lead to an unfulfilling sex life and relationship friction with their partners.

The team at Gulf Coast Urology in Houston and Nassau Bay, Texas, wants to assure you that ED is highly treatable. We specialize in men’s health and stay up-to-date on the latest treatments for ED. We can diagnose and treat your condition, restoring your ability to enjoy life to its fullest.

How erections work

Your sexual response involves a blend between desires, thoughts, and emotions that drive the hormones, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that create an erection when you’re aroused. Blood flows into the corpus cavernosum, the spongy tissue inside the penis where it’s trapped by smooth-muscle erectile tissue.

Increased blood pressure within erection chambers causes the penis to engorge with blood, creating an erection. After achieving an orgasm, nerve signals prompt the erectile tissue to relax, releasing blood from the penis which returns to a flaccid state.

Interrupting the arousal cycle

Any disruption of the arousal/sexual response processes can lead to erection problems. Most men experience occasional erection problems. It’s normal and not typically cause for concern, but persistent failure to achieve erection points toward a problem.

You have ED when you are unable to achieve or maintain an erection that’s firm enough for complete sexual intercourse. You could be diagnosed with ED if you:

• Achieve an erection but can’t maintain it long enough to reach orgasm
• Erectile performance is inconsistent when you’re ready for sex
• You’re otherwise aroused and want sex but don’t achieve an erection

Successful arousal and intercourse require the mind and body to work together. This means physical and emotional problems can each trigger erection problems.

Psychogenic erectile dysfunction

Physiological conditions frequently contribute to ED. Common health reasons for physical ED include diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and low testosterone. Lifestyle choices can also result in ED, including sedentary lifestyles, and alcohol, drug, and tobacco use.

For approximately two in five (40%) men, the problem is psychogenic. Their ED is mostly a result of psychological factors. The mental health concerns and emotional issues that may cause ED or make existing ED more severe include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Worry about sexual inadequacy
• Sexual performance anxiety
• Stress from relationships, home life, or work
• Past history of sexual abuse and/or trauma
• Feelings of guilt or shame about sex or sexual activity
• Poor body image
• Lack of confidence
• Eroded self-esteem

It’s easy to perceive the bi-directional relationship between mental health and ED. Stress, anxiety, and depression could result in ED, while persistent ED can create and exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression.

ED could be caused by more than one problem. An alcohol habit may slow your sexual response, for instance, creating anxiety about achieving an erection. This interaction then starts a spiral of anxiety that entrenches the ED problem.

Resolving ED

ED isn’t inevitable. When it becomes a persistent problem, it’s time for evaluation with a men’s health expert. Contact Gulf Coast Urology at the first sign of trouble. You can schedule an appointment by phone or online at either of our locations for an exam and assessment, regardless of the reasons behind your ED. Break the cycle and book your visit today.