Erectile dysfunction is an issue that worries many men and generates great discomfort and can reduce their self-esteem There are several factors that must occur together to achieve an erection. Below we will talk about these factors and how this type of problem can be treated.
For an erection to occur, a series of chemical, neurological and psychological reactions must occur that generate something physical: the penis fills with blood and allows an erection.
Everything starts with the brain Our brain, more specifically, our prefrontal cortex, must process a sexual stimulus, either because it is in front of us or because we imagine it. The important thing is to process it. If, for example, we have our partner naked in front of us but we are thinking about some daily concern, it will be difficult for our brain to process that stimulus. Therefore, our attention must be focused on that present moment.
To connect the brain with the penis, it will be of vital importance that the peripheral nerves that go down the spinal cord do not have any type of injury and can stimulate the blood vessels of the penis. The anatomy of the penis (the state of the corpora cavernosa) and the hormones (that there are no abnormally low levels of testosterone) will also be of vital importance.
Peyronie’s disease
There is another disease that may be causing an erectile dysfunction problem. Is about Peyronie’s disease, which causes an excessive curvature of the penis that makes erections painful. Other symptoms associated with this disease are: scar tissue that can be felt under the skin of the penis as flat lumps or a band of hard tissue, shortening of the penis, pain or other deformities. It can also cause problems getting or keeping an erection.
In addition, other associated factors that can be improved regarding lifestyle should be taken into account: reducing toxic habits (being a smoker, drinking alcohol or other drugs), increasing physical exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. It should also be assessed if any medication is causing the problem.
Therefore, it is of vital importance that before carrying out psychological treatment, physical causes that are causing erectile dysfunction can be ruled out.
Psychological triggers of erectile dysfunction
On a psychological level there are several causes that may be affecting the problem. First of all, you have to take into account the stressors. In many cases of erectile dysfunction, the psychological causes are not directly related to sex but other problems (work, relationship or concerns from any other area of life) may be affecting it.
On the other hand, Anxiety is a key causal factor in erectile dysfunction It is very important to know that within our central nervous system, there are two autonomic systems (the sympathetic and parasympathetic) in charge of our involuntary responses: digestion, heartbeat, breathing, smooth muscles, internal organs, physiological functions, urination and sexual responses. The sympathetic is activated when we have to flee or fight (blood will be in the muscles and heart) and the parasympathetic when we are relaxed (blood will be in the penis, stomach and skin). Therefore, in order to have an erection our parasympathetic system must be activated. We can conclude that one system deactivates the other, therefore, the erection will be deactivated in stressful situations (the greater the threat, the more difficult it is to have an erection) and it is activated in calm and relaxed environments.
Sometimes it happens that when we have had a sexual experience in which we have not been able to have an erection, We experience the following sexual situations as “examination” situations, in which we have to comply This feeling of examination activates our sympathetic system, makes the body believe that we are in a dangerous or threatening situation and this prevents relaxation, and consequently, erection.
There are other emotions that come into play during this problem. The feeling of guilt or lack of selfesteem Caused by the dysfunction can, in turn, perpetuate the problem in a vicious cycle that is difficult to manage without therapeutic help.
Therefore, the psychological treatment for erectile dysfunction will be focused on managing the “situation of concern/threat” through relaxation training in situations of a sexual nature to be able to break the cycle of thoughts and behaviors that maintain the problem as well as learning emotional management techniques to work on the emotional consequences that erectile dysfunction has generated.
