I Can’t Get an Erection, Now What?
Whether it’s the first time or it’s been too many times, experiencing a flaccid penis can be a bit of a downer. Yep, I said it.
Experiencing erectile issues is not just confusing, frustrating, and inconvenient – it’s downright frightening. Sex is a major part of people’s lives, and the thought of losing control of your own body can be cause for alarm. Toss in the fact that you might have no idea why this is happening, and you may find yourself panicking a bit.
Here’s the good news: ED is very common and is very treatable – even if you’ve gone the medical route and the fun pills aren’t cutting the proverbial mustard. And even if you’ve only gone through it one time.
How to Identify What’s Causing Your ED
The myriad causes of ED are broken down into two categories: organic and nonorganic. Organic ED is caused by physical factors, like:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)
- Drug or substance abuse
- Strokes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Certain medications
Organic ED is typically (notice I said, “typically” here – that does not mean “always”) observed in older patients and can often be treated by a medical professional.
Nonorganic ED, on the other hand, is caused by emotional or psychological factors, like:
- Depression
- Anxiety (this includes performance anxiety and low self-confidence)
- Stress
- Trauma
- Lifestyle – like the overuse of porn, alcohol, or other substances.
Nonorganic ED is typically observed in men 20 – 55 and can be treated without medication. Read that again. It can be treated without medication, with a board-certified sex therapist like myself.
You may be able to overcome your erectile issues by making lifestyle changes such as becoming more active, abstaining from drugs or alcohol, or engaging in stress management activities like yoga or meditation.
How Counseling Can Fix Your ED
If you think you are experiencing nonorganic ED, sex therapy is a highly effective method to address the root cause and help you get back into action swiftly. I’ve worked with countless men with both organic and nonorganic ED and have helped them feel more confident in themselves and return to an active and healthy sex life.
In some cases, nonorganic ED can be treated with a few sessions with a board-certified sex therapist. If you’re curious about how sex therapy can treat your ED, schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Let’s connect and create a program to get you back in the sack, so to speak.