Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common medical issues amongst men; in fact, it affects around 18 million men in America alone.
ED risks do increase as you get older but there are a number of physical and psychological factors that also play a role, including stress and anxiety. Fortunately, there are several highly effective treatments and medications available to help treat ED symptoms.
How stress and anxiety can cause ED
Whether it’s work stress, a major life event, job loss or relationship problems, stress and anxiety affect us all.
Every type of erection (reflexive, psychogenic and nocturnal) requires a sequence of events to take place in the body and when these processes are interrupted, an erection can’t be achieved or maintained.
Disruptions to blood vessels, nerves, hormones and muscles can all cause ED and since stress and anxiety affect your brain, which controls these processes and areas of the body, it can increase your risk of ED.
Unfortunately, many men tend to have stress and anxiety about ED, which only exacerbates the symptoms.
Psychological factors are always taken into account before administering Calibre clinic erectile dysfunction treatments in Australia as this helps produce effective, long-term results. Any reputable clinic that you consult with should be doing the same.
Treating ED with stress management techniques
There are a number of stress management techniques that can be used to ease stress and anxiety, helping you combat ED.
Traditional therapies
There are several types of therapy that you can use to treat stress and anxiety:
Counselling. A therapist will help you identify the causes of your stress and show you how to manage them
Psychodynamic therapy. Looks at subconscious conflicts that could be causing your ED
Sex therapy. Focuses on helping you create a more secure and confident sex life
Sexual anxiety therapy. A therapist will help you work through any performance anxiety that you might be dealing with.
Alternative therapies
There are also several modern therapy options for you to consider, including:
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Relaxation techniques
Using herbal supplements to treat stress and anxiety
There are a few herbal supplements on the market that can offer a more natural approach to treating ED, including:
- Improves mood and alleviates anxiety
- Reduces symptoms of anxiety
- Panax Ginseng. A Korean herb that comes in a tablet or cream form to treat stress
- Black Maca. A root vegetable that reduces stress and enhances sexual performance
Always speak to your doctor before consuming any herbal supplements.
Alternative treatments for ED
Below are a few of the other treatment options that are available to men suffering from ED:
- Filler injections
- Prescription medication
- Penis pumps
- Penis suppositories
- Blood vessel surgery
- Penile implants
- Weight loss
- Reducing alcohol consumption
- Quit smoking
Erectile dysfunction truly doesn’t have to be an issue that disrupts your sex life or affects your self-confidence. There are a number of highly effective treatment options available; it all comes down to identifying the underlying causes of your ED first.