Psychological Reasons behind Erectile Dysfunction

Impotence has traditionally been considered to be linked more to psychological factors than to physical factors. It is modern medicine that later shifted the focus more to physical causes that could be internal chronic medical conditions or those ensuing from a surgery. Erectile dysfunction could also result from a combination of physical and psychological factors.

For example, a person with chronic depression might be on medication for this condition. If he is experiencing erectile dysfunction problems, it could be the result of the depression itself, or the result of the drugs he is taking for that. Human emotions and physical conditions are often so intricately connected, and one keeps on feeding on the other, that it is a bit difficult sometimes to either see it separately as a cause or treat it in isolation.

Even those erectile dysfunction problems, which are purely physical in origin, can be aggravated by mental conditions. The very frustration arising from the unsatisfactory sexual situation becomes a mental condition that further fuels the impotence problem and perhaps makes it gargantuan. Further, excessive obsession about sexual performance itself can become counterproductive and lead to erection problems.

Impotence resulting from psychological reasons may sometimes develop suddenly. A temporary problem in the workplace may cause an equally temporary erectile dysfunction problem, which may get rectified once the problem that led to it is solved. Similarly, there could be financial problems, or legal wrangles, that could cause tension or anxiety, and all these can directly affect sexual performance and will be clinically seen as impotence related.

While most of these impotence problems get cured on its own when the cause disappears, some can become longer lasting as well. One reason for this is that the causes themselves may not disappear. Stressful jobs and family problems may become part and parcel of life for some people, thereby making erection problems also part of their lives. In such cases they might have to seek outside medical help or depend upon erectile dysfunction drugs for help.

Self confidence and self-esteem is a basic human requirement for succeeding anywhere and this rule is applicable to sexual performance as well. A lack of self-esteem, or a feeling of inadequacy, especially in comparison with the sexual partner, can easily lead to erectile dysfunction problems.

Problems in relationship with the partner also can lead to erectile dysfunction. A sexual relationship is often peppered with ego hassles, financial problems, or superiority/inferiority complexes. Any one of these can be a roadblock in a smooth relationship and can trigger erection problems. And partners of people with impotence problems can easily feel frustrated and rejected, which would in turn aggravate the problem.

There is no dearth of psychological causes for erectile dysfunction. The positive side is that the problem is out of the closet these days. So there are erectile dysfunction drugs available in the market, and in general better erectile dysfunction aids to help people step over the problem more easily.