Doctors estimate that psychological issues play a role in up to 20% of erectile dysfunction cases. The most common psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include stress (related to work, relationships and money), performance anxiety, guilt, depression, and low self-esteem.
If stress is causing your erectile dysfunction, relaxation exercises, including meditation, deep breathing, visualization, mental imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation, can improve your sex life. In some cases, psychotherapy or relationship counseling can resolve issues related to erection problems. Certain medications can cause erectile dysfunction. If you encounter this issue, talk to your doctor about changing medications or finding an alternative treatment.
The important thing is to talk to someone about your erection problems. Keeping your worries to yourself will only make the problem worse. If you suffer from psychological erectile dysfunction, you can start by talking to your doctor, who can recommend treatment options that will restore your sexual function.