Can Stress cause erectile dysfunction?

Can Stress cause erectile dysfunction?
Published : Aug 06, 2024

Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual disorder that affects several men across the world. As men age, their risk of ED also increases. However, trouble keeping an erection is not always related to age. Several different conditions, including any mental health disorder, can cause ED.

Mental problems like Stress and anxiety often play a role in ED. Along with high blood pressure and other heart health problems, Stress is the leading cause of erectile dysfunction in men. Remember, Stress not only affects your ability to attain or sustain an erection but has several other effects.

So, if you are wondering whether Stress can cause erectile dysfunction in men, then continue reading this blog.

Can stress lead to erectile dysfunction?

Stress can trigger sexual dysfunction or increase risk factors for erectile dysfunction. With time, Stress has become a standard part of everyday life and might show up in the body as headache, tiredness, problems sleeping, and weight changes.

If left untreated, chronic Stress can cause emotional fatigue, high blood pressure, and overall poor physical health. All this can further make it difficult for you to maintain hard erections to indulge in sexual intercourse.

Stress not only contributes to things like cardiovascular ailments or blood pressure problems, but it can even affect you in the bedroom. Some everyday life stressors might cause anxiety and lead to erectile dysfunction. Stress can lead to ED, and your erectile dysfunction disorder can make you feel embarrassed and cause more Stress.

How does Stress cause erectile dysfunction?

Stress can affect your sexual function in three different ways:

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Reduced libido or sexual drive and problems with sexual stimulation
  • Performance anxiety

Trouble in any of these processes can make you suffer from ED, including:

  • Nervous system
  • Muscles
  • Blood vessels
  • Emotions
  • Hormones

Erectile dysfunction is a disorder in which a man can't get or maintain an erection during sexual arousal. The causes might be physical, mental, or both.

Several physical conditions can lead to erectile dysfunction, like heart disease, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, obesity, and low or high blood pressure issues. Also, the use of certain medicines like antidepressants and medications used to treat high blood pressure problems might lead to ED. On the other hand, psychological factors like Stress, anxiety, and depression can make you suffer from the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Stress interferes with your mental state and signals that your brain sends to increase blood flow to the male sexual organ.

Also, Know About- Psychological Erectile Dysfunction.

Stress potential triggers that cause erectile dysfunction

Even if there is a smooth flow of blood throughout the body, there are some reasons that can get in the way of erections and make it difficult for you to get sexually aroused.

There are some types of Stress, like work or financial Stress, anxiety, relationship stress, and performance nerves, which can be associated with erectile dysfunction.

Work or financial Stress

Money and career troubles are two everyday stressors in men’s lives. A job loss or worries about losing a job can affect your sexual desire and lead to erectile dysfunction.

Relationship stress

Disturbances in your close relationships can also contribute to erectile dysfunction. When Stress in your relationship starts affecting sexual function, the lack of intimacy makes you feel more stressed.

Anxiety

Almost 37% of men experiencing erectile dysfunction can also have an anxiety disorder. It is believed that anxiety can affect your sympathetic nervous system, which plays a vital role in keeping a hard erection.

Men suffering from anxiety disorders can also find it challenging to treat ED. As a man, if you experience post-traumatic stress disorder, your chance of suffering from erectile dysfunction increases automatically.

Performance nervesness

Another type of Stress that leads to erectile dysfunction is sexual performance anxiety.

Performance anxiety might make you suffer from different types of sexual dysfunctions, including ED. If you worry about getting hard and finishing everything early in bed, then this can make it difficult for you to get an erection.

However, watching porn can also contribute to performance anxiety and further affects your sexual health by leading to ED.

Also, Discover- Some Other Major Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Men

What are the different causes of Stress?

There are several reasons of Stress, but some of the common causes include:

  • Work pressure like meeting deadlines
  • Legal problems
  • Social confrontation
  • Financial issues
  • Demands of parenting
  • Loss of a loved one

How to deal with Stress?

Stress-causing ED usually means that the sources of Stress in your life are too great. Several methods can help you reduce Stress and lead a healthy lifestyle. Indulge in a good workout every day for 15 to 25 minutes to battle Stress. Mindful meditation can also help you lower Stress, as it reduces anxiety. Also, exercise and meditation can show progressive muscle relaxation and improve blood circulation throughout the body. As you might know, proper blood flow is essential for better erectile function when it comes to the sexual health of a male.

If you wish to treat Stress and erectile dysfunction together, you can choose cognitive behavioural therapy. During this therapy, you will focus on things that cause Stress. Also, Consider seeking help from a mental health professional or take sex therapy to help you improve your connection and take steps for stress management. Disclose your medical history because ED symptoms can be a result of both psychological and physical health issues.

Also, Read Learn about- Best ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction for Men

Summary

Therefore, if you think Stress is causing erectile dysfunction, immediately speak to your doctor because Stress can hurt your sexual life. It is essential to get the proper Erectile dysfunction treatment on time and enjoy your sexual life. Also, effective oral ED tablets are available that may help ensure adequate blood flow to the penis to help with ED.

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