How Therapy Can Supplement Your Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a physical ailment that affects nearly 18 million men over the age of 20. The truth is, it’s an uncomfortable topic for many, but when you’re facing the inability to get or keep an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse, it’s time to see a doctor — and maybe more than just one kind.
Opening up dialogue between you, your sexual partner, and your doctor will be the catalyst to a successful treatment plan and a healthier sex life.
The Emotional Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Male arousal is a complicated process, so determining the cause can be a difficult challenge. While there are many potential physical causes, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, ED can impact perfectly healthy individuals. Instead of a lone physical cause, there could be something else going on mentally and emotionally, such as:
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship conflicts
Poor sexual communication
Work pressure
Financial worries
Other emotional disturbances
Therapy: The Supplement to Your ED Treatment
Depending on the reasons for your ED, treatment can mean a multi-faceted, medical approach. But, it doesn’t have to just be procedures and medication. Therapy — whether it’s talk therapy, sex therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy — can be beneficial if your ED is being caused by anxiety, stress, or depression.
Talk Therapy and ED
There are a lot of unhealthy myths and misconceptions about ED out in the world, such as “it’s only you” and “it means something is wrong with you” These misconceptions only add to the stress and emotional trauma for the person experiencing ED. Talk therapy gives you the emotional space to work through your fears and stress in life and about the condition itself. It creates an opportunity to have a healthy dialogue with your sexual partner about your sexual relationship and how ED is affecting you.
This type of therapy would be a healthy supplement to your physical treatment, helping you work through all the feelings that come with decisions for your ED.
Sex Therapy and ED
Sex therapy is a type of talk therapy that is designed for individuals and couples who are facing emotional and physical challenges that impact their sexual satisfaction. The goal is to help them move past these obstacles — physical and emotional — toward a satisfying relationship and pleasurable sex life.
The most important part about going through sex therapy for your ED is to have your sexual partner involved in the process. Studies show that, for men who have stress-related ED, having the partner involved resolves the problem 50% to 70% of the time. That’s good odds, especially when you’re getting the physical treatment you need as well.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and ED
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on proactively changing certain behaviors in order to solve problems in a person’s life. It’s a useful form of therapy for addressing ED, especially if it’s related to performance anxiety, low self-esteem, and loss of sexual arousal.
During this type of therapy, you work to understand how specific triggers can lead to certain positive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In this way, you can identify triggers that work for you to help you have a more positive and realistic approach to sex.
Combine your learned triggers with your physical treatment and you’re on the road to better physical, mental, and sexual health.
Your Next Step Toward Resolving Erectile Dysfunction
Once you’ve determined your route for therapy, it’s time to contact a healthcare professional who specializes in helping men with Erectile Dysfunction. The experts at Norman Urology Associates are just the people you need to help you discover the underlying causes of your ED and the steps that are right for you in overcoming it. Let’s talk about it.
