Erectile Dysfunction
Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is common, and often has as much to do with stress, anxiety, or relational context as it does with anything physical.
What it can look like
Erectile difficulties can show up occasionally or persistently, in some situations but not others, and can stem from a mix of physical, emotional, and relational factors — stress, performance anxiety, relationship tension, fatigue, certain medications, or health conditions. Regardless of cause, it's common for the difficulty itself to create a cycle of anticipatory anxiety that makes the next experience harder, which is where a lot of the suffering tends to concentrate.
How therapy can help
Sex therapy explores the emotional, relational, and cognitive patterns around the difficulty — often including performance anxiety — using a humanistic and cognitive-behavioral approach. Where a physical or medical cause is suspected, I'll encourage you to also consult your physician; therapy focuses on the psychological and relational dimension, individually or with your partner.
Related concerns
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