Katie had been with Paul for over a year when their sex life took a turn for the worse. He rarely initiated lovemaking. “He doesn’t find me attractive anymore,” she told me in an email. During our consultation, Paul told Katie that the real reason he was not into bedroom fun anymore was stress.
As our reality gets more uncertain, men suffer from anxiety and work overload. This impacts their sexual function, often leading to ED. Luckily for this couple, they found help early and could avoid a major relationship crisis. This article will help you understand how psychological factors affect your erectile function. You will also gain useful tips on how to be more relaxed in the bedroom.
Psychological Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Experts agree that there may be a psychological component to ED. The common factors contributing to erectile problems are:
- Depression and anxiety
- Stress
- Relationship problems
In most cases, a mix of physical and mental causes is to blame. The more you experience erectile difficulties, the more worried you get. A vicious circle begins.
Relationship problems can cause stress and lead to EDSexual Satisfaction is Key to Reducing the Effects of Stress
Men who deal with stress-related ED are trapped in an unproductive cycle. To regain their sexual ability, they need to reduce stress. Sexual pleasure and intimacy are great ways to relax, but ED is preventing these men from taking initiative in bed.
Luckily, there is a way out. Modern ED treatments such as Viagra or Cialis allow you to regain confidence as a lover. As you start to enjoy worry-free sex again, stress levels will drop. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about it. A simple prescription may be all you need to handle this problem.
How to Relax Before Lovemaking
Psychological ED can affect you even if you are still young. Learn relaxation techniques and use them before lovemaking. Trust me, your body will cooperate better. Here are some of my tips for staying calm:
- Switch off your busy mode. In my practice as a sexologist, I see couples who have difficulty getting in the romantic mood in the evening. Their thoughts revolve around deadlines and uncomfortable office conversations. They replay the events of the day in their heads.Try to make it a habit to switch off your busy mode as you enter the bedroom. Turn off your phone. Make a list of your accomplishments and a plan for the next day. Leave the list by the door. Listen to some music or take a warm shower. Find a way to enter a different headspace.
- Practice relaxation. You don’t have to be a Tibetan monk to find some peace in life. Meditation has proven effective in treating mood and anxiety disorders. If you don’t know where to start, try one of the meditation apps on your phone.Breath is the simplest relaxation tool out there. You don’t need anything fancy. Whenever you feel the tension rising, breathe in while counting to four, hold your breath in for four, breathe out on the count of four, and stay there for four more counts. This technique, called box breathing, has been used by soldiers in combat.
Switch off the workday mode and make space for intimacyHow to Get Help for Stress-Related ED
If you feel stress levels are impacting your sexual performance, seek help immediately. Find psychological counseling to address the root causes of your problems. Learn to relax, and you will soon enjoy sex again. Start by visiting your family physician.
In the meantime, for help with stress-related erectile dysfunction, use eDrugstore’s free consultation with a licensed doctor. Click here to get your ED under control with Viagra or similar medication.
*Names of clients have been changed to protect their privacy.
Anka Grzywacz is a sexologist, reproductive health expert and Certified Sex Coach™. In her online practice she helps busy women and couples solve their intimate problems.