Effects of Erectile Dysfunction

Effects of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, regardless of the cause, leads both sexual partners to experience a range of feelings and intense emotions, including a sense of hopelessness and low self-esteem. These feelings can reinforce a man's performance anxiety and create a cycle of repeated failures and increasingly negative feelings.

To overcome these feelings, both partners have to acknowledge the problem and communicate openly and honestly with each other. Because sexual performance is linked so strongly to a man's self-esteem, erectile dysfunction can be devastating not only to his sex life but also to his sense of self. Men with erectile dysfunction often develop feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, or guilt, and may consider themselves unattractive to their partner.

The psychological effects of erectile dysfunction can invade other areas of a man's life as well, such as social interactions and job performance.

It is important for a man with erectile dysfunction to overcome the reluctance to talk with his partner and physician to determine effective treatment strategies.

Typically, the ED develops quite suddenly if it is a symptom of a mental health problem. The ED may resolve when your mental state improves. For example, if your anxiety or depression eases. However, some people become even more anxious or depressed when they develop ED. They do not realise it is a reaction to their mental health problem. This can make matters worse and lead to a 'vicious circle' of worsening anxiety and persisting ED.

As a rule, a psychological cause is more likely for the ED than a physical cause if there are times when you can get a good erection, even though most of the time you cannot. (For example, if you can get an erection by masturbating, or wake up in the morning with an erection.)