Can Trauma Impact Your Ability to Get an Erection?
One of the most frustrating aspects of erectile dysfunction function is that it can be caused by SO many things. You could be having issues with performance because of physical factors like a health condition or the side effects of a medication. This is known as organic ED, and it can usually be treated by a medical professional.
Nonorganic ED, on the other hand, is when you’re having trouble getting or maintaining an erection due to a psychological issue. This includes depression, anxiety, porn usage, and yes, trauma.
How Trauma Affects Sexual Desire
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder that can develop following a horrifying or life-threatening event. Symptoms of PTSD include difficulty sleeping or relaxing, negative thoughts about yourself, feelings of guilt, and reduced interest in activities that used to make you happy.
You don’t have to be a doctor to imagine how these symptoms could inhibit sexual desire.
Even if someone with PTSD wants to have sex, the biological changes that take place during sexual arousal can trigger PTSD symptoms. You see, the male body goes through a series of changes to achieve an erection. This includes increased blood flow to the penis, along with changes in your nervous system to increase the sensation in your genital region. For people with PTSD, these typically pleasurable reactions can trigger a fight-or-flight response, preventing an erection from forming.
Additionally, people who suffer from PTSD may take psychiatric medication for treatment, and decreased sexual performance can be a side effect of these medications.
How Sex Therapy Can Help
PTSD is a treatable condition. Many people have benefited from a combination of treatment methods, like psychotherapy, medication, serious lifestyle changes, and sex therapy.
If you’re experiencing ED because of a traumatic event, sex therapy can help you identify and move past the psychological barriers that are affecting your performance. I specialize in helping people with anxiety, depression, and trauma (along with many other concerns) feel safe and comfortable with their partners and gradually recover their ability to perform.
When you can talk openly about how your trauma is affecting your performance, you are already on the path to a healthier sex life.