Psychological and Emotional Factors Related With Erectile Dysfunction
It has always been difficult for the doctors to determine the cause of erectile dysfunction especially if the reason is psychological. ED can either be due to a physical problem or psychological reason or even a combination of both. We have already discussed the diseases and physical issues that lead to erectile dysfunction. In this section we will talk about the emotional and life style related factors of erectile dysfunction.
Let's first understand the difference between impotence or erectile dysfunction caused due to psychological reasons and impotence or erectile dysfunction caused due to physical reasons.
Number 1 : Psychological impotence has a tendency to be sudden and related to the current state of affairs. The patient actually is able to get an erection, but not in all situations. So, we can understand by a simple symptom, if a man is unable to attain or maintain an erection when he wakes up in the morning, then he should understand that the problem is psychological.
Number 2 : When impotence or erectile dysfunction is caused by physical reasons, ED occurs incessantly over a period of time. When erectile dysfunction persists for more than a three-month period at stretch without any reasons like a stressful event, or substance abuse or medical conditions, then one should understand that the person needs medical attention.
Let us now understand what are the psychological or lifestyle related reasons of erectile dysfunction:
- Anxiety : As we know that anxiety has emotional as well as physical consequences. So its effects can affect erectile function in a man. Anxiety is one of the most frequently mentioned reasons to psychological erectile dysfunction. It is often referred to as performance anxiety and may aggravate the situation by provoking an intense fear of failure and self-doubt as a result; a cycle of chronic impotence may head out.
- Depression : Depression is very closely linked with erectile dysfunction. As per many studies by various scientists, 82% of men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction also had symptoms of depression. Of course a depressed person will have reduced sexual desire; although studies have not mentioned which state comes first, ED or depression.
- Relationship problems : If a man has relational problems then it hits directly to his sexual functioning. Mainly, if the couple has anger or hatred for each other, they will not be able to involve into sexual activities normally. It has been observed that the wife or the partner of the man with erectile dysfunction feels unwanted and aggrieved, mainly when the man does not disclose his own anxieties or despair. So, naturally it becomes a complex affair for the man to attain and maintain an erection especially when both or any one of the partners conceals their feelings.
- Socioeconomic issues : Certain socioeconomic threats like losing a job suddenly or lower income or low education hampering career progress contribute a lot to the increased risk of erectile dysfunction in a man.
- Smoking : Those who smoke develop erectile dysfunction sooner or later because cigarette heightens the risk and actions of other conditions related to the blood vessels, and also hypertension and atherosclerosis.
- Alcohol : Alcohol is a well-known cause of erectile dysfunction or impotence. When a man drinks more than one peg, alcohol slowly starts depressing the central nervous system and thus impairs sexual function.
- Lack of Frequent Erections : When a person is not regularly involved in sexual activities, the penis remains deprived of oxygen-rich blood. In this way, collagen production is increased and in due course, may result in tough tissue formation interfering with blood flow.
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