Erectile dysfunction, sometimes referred to as impotence, is a common condition affecting millions of men and people with a penis around the world. 

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is firm enough to engage in penetrative sex.

If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, know that you are not alone! At New Moon Psychotherapy, our sex therapists understand the causes and impact of sexual dysfunction and how to treat it. 

What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is experienced by individuals with a penis of all ages and backgrounds world wide. It is not a personal failing.

Many factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction, including, physical, medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Understanding these factors is the first step towards regaining control of your sexual health.

Physical and Medical Causes

A variety of physical and medical difficulties can contribute to, or cause, erectile dysfunction by affecting blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. 

This includes diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications. 

It is important that anyone experiencing erectile dysfunction is assessed by a doctor before assuming that the cause is psychological. Assessment usually involves a physical exam, blood work, and meeting with a specialist such as a urologist. 

Psychological Causes

Our bodies and minds are more connected than previously believed. Stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-esteem and body image, childhood or sexual trauma and performance anxiety can all contribute to erectile dysfunction. 

Emotional factors often create a cycle of erectile dysfunction, as the fear of failure can exacerbate the condition.

Traumatic experiences, whether related to sexual abuse, relationship conflicts, or other life events, can have a profound impact on one’s sexual function. These traumas can lead to anxiety, fear, and negative beliefs about sex, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. 

Lifestyle Factors

Life style choices such as smoking, little exercise, and excessive alcohol, marijuana or other drug use can contribute to erectile dysfunction.  Addressing these areas can positively impact your sexual health.

How Can Therapy Help?

Sex therapy for erectile dysfunction is a collaborative and empowering process intended to provide you with the tools, knowledge, and supports necessary to overcome erectile dysfunction and to improve your sexual health and satisfaction.

Identifying Underlying Issues

A trained therapist can help you explore the emotional and psychological factors contributing to your erectile dysfunction. This process alone can provide valuable insight and relieve symptoms such as shame.

Stress Reduction

Many men living with erectile dysfunction share that they experience high levels of stress and anxiety, both in and outside of the bedroom. 

Learning stress management techniques and coping strategies can positively impact erectile dysfunction by equipping you with the tools necessary to effectively manage stress and difficult emotions.

Improving Communication 

Many who struggle with erectile dysfunction feel ashamed or scared to talk about the difficulties they are experiencing or their sexual desires and needs. By improving communication, sex therapy can guide individuals and couples towards more satisfying and intimate emotional and physical connections. It can help you feel understood and help you understand your partners(‘) needs and concerns which can reduce performance anxiety and create a healthier more supportive relationship.

Enhancing Self-Esteem

Therapy can boost your self-esteem and self-confidence, which is a prerequisite for sexual performance and fulfillment.

Processing Past Trauma

Unprocessed traumatic events keep us stuck in survival mode and interfere with our ability to relax, which is essential for sexual functioning. Sex therapy can help you understand how your past experiences may be influencing your current sexual difficulties. Through techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness, individuals can begin to reshape their thoughts and feelings about sex and intimacy. 

Part of sex therapy for processing past traumas involves rebuilding trust, not only in one’s partner, but also in oneself and in the idea of intimacy itself. Sex therapy helps individuals regain confidence in their ability to engage in healthy and fulfilling sexual experiences. 

Treatment Complement

When causes are physical, sex therapy will not treat the problem, however, research consistently shows that people experience improved outcomes with a combination of medical and psychological treatment. Psychotherapy can work in conjunction with medical treatments, such as medications or devices, to enhance their effectiveness. 

Life Style Changes

Sex therapists can provide support and resources for individuals looking to quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, improve their diet and increase exercise and fitness levels. Regular sessions with a sex therapist allow for ongoing monitoring and accountability of lifestyle changes and working through any obstacles to engaging in these new behaviors. 

What Can I Expect During Sex Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction?

Sex therapy provides a supportive, confidential, and professional environment to identify and address your specific concerns. Sex therapists have specialized training in sex issues and sex therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. They are also trained to be empathetic, understanding, and non-judgmental, making it easier for clients to share their experiences – no topics are off limits, seriously.  

Here’s a list of what you can typically expect during sex therapy for erectile dysfunction. 

Initial Assessment

The first one to three sessions typically involve a comprehensive assessment. The therapist will ask you to share your medical history, sexual history, and any emotional or psychological factors that may be contributing to your erectile dysfunction. This assessment is important because it allows the therapist to understand your unique situation which will enable them to tailor a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. 

Goal Setting

You and your therapist will work collaboratively to set treatment goals. These goals will be tailored to your needs and may include improving your understanding of erectile dysfunction, reducing performance anxiety, addressing relationship issues, or making lifestyle changes.

Education

The therapist will provide you with information about erectile dysfunction, its potential causes and the treatment options that are available to you. The goal with education is to help you better understand your condition and to reduce shame and stigma. 

Considering most adults did not receive adequate sex education, a sex therapist will often correct misinformation about sex and sexual functioning which may have contributed to or maintained your erectile difficulties.

Exercises and Homework

You may be assigned exercises to practice at home in between sessions. These are asigned to help you apply the strategies and techniques you’ve learned in therapy to real life situations. 

Progress Monitoring

Throughout the therapy process, your therapist will monitor your progress towards your treatment goals. They will make adjustments to the treatment plan to ensure that you’re on the right track and that the treatment plan is suitable to you.

Support and Encouragement

One of the most important aspects of sex therapy is having an emotionally safe and judgment free space, in which you can openly discuss your concerns and experience. A sex therapist will provide emotional support and encouragement, listen empathically, and show understanding of your experiences and concerns. 

We live in a culture where sex is everywhere yet it’s not acceptable to talk about it. For this reason, it’s normal if the idea of opening up feels uncomfortable. This gets easier with time and our therapists will patiently follow your lead! 

Duration and Frequency

The number of sessions and their frequency can vary depending on your individual needs and progress. Some people may benefit from a relatively short-term therapy approach, while others may require longer-term support. 

Confidentiality

Your privacy and confidentiality is a top priority in sex therapy. The sex therapist will help you understand any limits to confidentiality at your first appointment.