Men can experience emotional intimacy over shared activities like laughing at a joke or working on a project together. Emotional intimacy can also come through a man’s open communication with his wife.
1. Stress
A man may lose interest in sex when he is experiencing a lot of stress, especially if the stress lasts a long time. Luckily, this type of stress doesn’t usually cause a permanent loss of sex drive, but it is something that can be treated with help.
Psychological erectile dysfunction (ED) can occur because of a variety of reasons, including low self-esteem and relationship problems. This type of ED is usually short-lived, but it can be hard to get an erection when the body is in such a state. Other ED medicine:
If you experience this problem, try eating healthier and being more active, and make sure to talk openly with your partner about sex. A counselor can also help if the problem continues to arise. Hims offers FDA-approved generic medications that are 95% cheaper than brand name ones, and they can be purchased online to treat ED caused by psychological issues. The medication can improve blood flow to the penis, which will help to produce an erection. However, it’s important to seek medical attention if you aren’t getting the results that you want.
2. Emotions
Men often find it difficult to discuss their emotions and thoughts about intimate relationships. They are socialised to appear strong and in control, when the truth is intimacy requires a level of vulnerability as you connect with another person. This can lead to emotional blockages, which in turn can cause problems with sex and intimacy.
Emotions such as fear, guilt and insecurity can all affect a man’s erectile function. They may feel that they are not able to please their partner sexually or that they are not worthy of intimacy. This can lead to a sense of emasculation and worthlessness that is very damaging to their self-esteem.
It’s important for people to be aware of the potential link between their emotions and sex health. This can help to encourage a more open discussion of sex-related issues in both women and men. This can prevent a problem such as ED from being overlooked and allow doctors to diagnose and treat it sooner. The old saying is, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved.’ Talking through a change in sex drive and erectile dysfunction with a partner or therapist can be helpful to find solutions together.
3. Insomnia
A poor night’s sleep can be a significant contributor to erectile dysfunction (ED). ED has been linked to insomnia and to other sleeping disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. It is also associated with a lack of sexual arousal and with difficulty in achieving orgasm.
Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors including anxiety, depression, stress, medication, alcohol and certain health conditions. Medications for heart disease, diabetes and some antidepressants have been found to be a cause of insomnia in men.
Getting enough quality sleep can help you deal with the emotional, social and psychological impact of erectile dysfunction. Some of the best ways to improve your sleep are to avoid consuming alcohol or caffeinated beverages right before bed, to create a relaxing bedroom environment and to commit to practicing good sleep hygiene.
If you are struggling with a condition that requires medication to manage its symptoms, then make sure to talk to your doctor about how it could be contributing to erectile dysfunction. There may be alternative medications for your condition that don’t contribute to ED.
4. Anxiety
If sexual performance anxiety is causing problems in a relationship, a man should consult with a physician or psychosexual therapist. The doctor may recommend certain at-home techniques to reduce stress and encourage positive sexual experiences. Being open with sexual partners about the issue can also help decrease stress levels.
Many men are socialized to be strong, in control, and to hide any vulnerability, but true intimacy requires vulnerability. If a man is struggling to communicate with his partner, this could be a sign that there’s a sexual performance anxiety issue.
Anxiety triggers the fight or flight response, which increases heart rate, dilates the lungs’ airways, and redirects blood to the muscles. While this is great for survival, it’s not so good for erectile function. The restriction of blood flow to the penis makes it harder for a man to get and keep an erection.
This can lead to a vicious cycle of anxiety, discontent, and lack of communication in a relationship. In the long run, a man can overcome this problem with psychosexual therapy and treatment for anxiety.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol affects the impulses between the brain and genitals that cause sexual arousal. It can also slow the brain’s response to arousal by dehydrating the body and impacting circulation. It can even inhibit the release of testosterone and increase cortisol – both of which decrease nitric oxide, a chemical that widens blood vessels.
Men who drink heavily or regularly often experience sexual dysfunction. In one study, 72 percent of men who drank excessively complained about one or more sexual problems such as low sexual desire, dysfunction in satisfying orgasm, premature ejaculation, and ED.
While the occasional drink can lower inhibitions and may enhance sexual desire, regular heavy drinking can damage nerves in the penis, which can lead to long-term erectile dysfunction. It can also interfere with the ability to get or keep an erection and reduce sexual pleasure for both partners. It is essential to have open communication with your partner about this issue and consider using other sensual/sexual activities that don’t require an erection, such as oral sex, petting, or massages. If you have trouble controlling your alcohol intake, speak to a therapist or seek treatment at an alcoholism rehab center.
