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Imagine this: the bedroom lights are dim, you’re in bed with your partner, and the air of passion is wafting through the air. You and your partner are aroused—and the prospect of sex is just a sensual touch away.
However, there’s one problem: you’re unable to get your penis up and going. You’ve slept this night away disappointed, waiting for your erection to return the next couple of days. However, the problem persists, leaving you wondering why you can’t get hard.
Does the situation sound familiar to you? If so, you’re likely experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is a common male sexual dysfunction that’s marked by a persistent inability to achieve an erect penis. It can cause great distress to individuals, and it’s often regarded as a source of great shame and embarrassment.
As depressing as it is to get “blue balls”, it’s even more depressing to leave your sexual dysfunction undiagnosed and untreated.
The fact of the matter is that erectile dysfunction is a multifactorial condition—and more often than not, it’s caused by one or more underlying health problems.
These health conditions can be both physiological; meaning that they’re caused by problems relating to physical issues; or mental, meaning that they’re caused by changes in your brain chemistry.
If you or someone you know is suffering from erectile dysfunction and wants to treat it, the best way to recover is to get treated for their underlying condition.
Read on to learn the different mental and physiological conditions that may cause ED.
Is ED Physical? Physical Sources of ED
To answer the question, yes, erectile dysfunction (ED) can have physical roots. In fact, a majority of cases of ED are physical in nature, especially among older gentlemen.
It’s important to recognize the fact that erectile dysfunction can have multiple sources.
This can stem from the following health conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Hyperlipidemia
- Hypogonadism
Furthermore, erectile dysfunction can also arise when an individual partakes in vices and bad habits. This includes smoking, drinking, and binge eating.
In fact, multiple studies have proven that men who smoke, vape, drink alcohol, and/or binge eat regularly are more than 50% more likely to come down with erectile dysfunction later in life compared to men who don’t participate in these acts.
The link between erectile dysfunction and overall health is inextricably linked. That said, the presence of ED can also underscore other sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation.
The primary reason why many of these conditions can cause ED is because it alters the anatomy of the blood vessels.
For an erection to form, blood should flow into the erectile tissues and the erectile chambers. The aforementioned health problems can cause the blood vessels to narrow, leading to insufficient blood flow to the penis.
This, in turn, can lead to erectile difficulties on top of the problems associated with the underlying health condition.
Is ED Psychological? Mental Causes of ED
Physical health issues can manifest into erectile problems. But this begs the question—what about mental health issues: can they lead to ED as well?
The answer is yes, there are psychological factors that can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Here are the common psychological states that can cause psychogenic erectile dysfunction:
- Stress
- Performance anxiety
- Depression
- Certain drugs
A stressful state can increase cortisol production, the fight-or-flight hormone. This can signal your body to be alert instead of relaxed, which can lower your desire for testosterone production and desire for sex as a whole.
Performance anxiety—or a fear of one’s sexual performance—can also lead to situational ED, a type of ED that occurs based on a sexual partner and the situation rather than a long-standing erectile problem.
Depression can alter your brain chemistry by disrupting your hormonal balance. It can eliminate all sexual desire and make you less likely to react to sexual stimulation.
Lastly, certain illegal drugs like cannabis can also lead to a mental state that can make getting hard difficult. Certain prescription drugs can also chip away at your mental health, such as SSRIs.
Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction
To diagnose erectile dysfunction, you have to go to a medical professional to get tested. They’ll administer blood tests, perform a physical exam, and ask some relevant questions regarding your sexual history to understand your condition better.
For people with psychological ED, there may be additional questions asked.
Besides that, a nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) stamp test can also be done at home to determine whether you get nightly erections. If you find that you’re unable to do so, you should visit a doctor for a complete diagnosis.
How to Treat ED: Medical Treatments for ED
If you’re currently dealing with ED, don’t worry: treating erectile dysfunction is more accessible than ever before.
To treat erectile dysfunction, here are some clinical remedies you can consider:
- Erectile dysfunction therapy: A combination of gels, creams, and injections will be administered by a doctor at set intervals to improve erectile outcomes.
- RestoreWave therapy: A special probe device hovers over your penis, emitting sound waves that break plaque and improve blood flow.
- Counseling: Depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns get addressed by a qualified professional.
Besides these remedies, it’s also important to reevaluate your lifestyle to improve your sexual health.
Some lifestyle factors you can consider adopting include:
- Eating a diet with sex-positive food like cinnamon
- Watching your weight with a weight loss treatment
- Sleeping at least 7 hours a night
- Reducing stress factors
- Avoiding vices
Treat Underlying Physical and Psychological ED With Priority Men’s Medical Center, Atlanta’s Best Male Clinic
Erectile dysfunction can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. In any case, it can be debilitating and cause your sex life to dwindle.
Want to satisfy your libido once more? Contact the medical professionals at Priority Men’s Medical Center for further assessment.
The team can help provide various male treatment plans, including ED treatment, HGH treatment, PE treatment, weight loss treatment, and other customized healthy living programs.
Schedule an appointment with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
