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Lifestyle changes


The psychological impact of erectile dysfunction can be profound and it’s not uncommon for men with erection problems to be struggling with anxiety or depression, as well as feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, confidence issues, or a lower sense of control over their bodies.

An important part of treatment for erectile dysfunction is understanding the condition and the consequences it may have on your intimate relationships. Your doctor may recommend a combination of physical and psychological approaches to treat your difficulties. In the past, doctors focused mostly on treating the physical aspects of erectile dysfunction, however the psychological and emotional aspects of the condition are now taken into consideration much more.

While medicines can provide a fix to the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, understanding why erection problems are happening if there are no health issues underlying them, is important. Treatment that includes psychological approaches has been proven to be more effective than treatments focussing only on physical symptoms.

Social ideas of how men and women are supposed to interact can also contribute to erectile dysfunction. These can include unrealistic expectations about love, sexuality and masculinity.

Gender stereotypes are embedded in our culture, but they are also unhealthy and damaging. Just because you’re a man, it doesn’t mean that you must be physically strong, a financial provider, never say no to sex, have a higher sex drive than your partner, or hide your emotions.