Is Erectile Dysfunction Physical or Psychological? How to Identify the Root Cause

Imagine say: lights for bedroom don dim, you dey for bed with your partner, and love dey full the air. Both of una don ready for action—just one soft touch and e fit happen.

But problem come show: your konji no gree rise. You don spend the whole night dey wait, hoping say your erection go return next few days. But as the problem continue, you dey wonder why e no gree stand.

This matter sound familiar? If yes, you fit dey experience wetin people dey call erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, na one common issue wey plenty men dey face. E mean say person no fit make e konji stand well. E fit cause serious wahala and even shame.

As e dey pain person to get “blue balls,” e go pain reach double if person no check the matter or treat am.

Truth be say, erectile dysfunction no dey come just like that—many times, e dey caused by one or more health issues wey person dey face.

These health issues fit be physical—meaning say body get wahala wey no allow konji stand well; or mental, meaning say na things wey dey happen for brain fit dey cause am.

If you or person wey you sabi dey go through ED and wan cure am, the best way to recover na to treat the root of the problem.

Make you read on to sabi the different mental and physical wahala wey fit cause ED.

ED Fit Be Physical? Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Yes, erectile dysfunction (ED) fit get physical causes. In fact, most cases of ED—especially for older men—dey come from physical health problems. E good make person sabi say different health issues fit cause ED.

Some common health conditions wey fit cause ED include:

• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• High cholesterol
• Low testosterone levels (Hypogonadism)

All these conditions fit affect blood flow, nerve function, or hormone levels, and these things dey important to make konji stand well.

Also, Erectile Dysfunction Fit Happen When Person Dey Do Some Bad Habits

Erectile dysfunction (ED) fit also come if person dey do some bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating too much.

Studies don show say men wey dey smoke, vape, drink, or chop anyhow get over 50% higher chance to get ED later for life, compared to men wey no dey do these things.

The connection between ED and person overall health strong well. If ED dey, e fit also cause other sexual issues like premature ejaculation join.

The main reason why these things fit cause ED na because e dey change how blood vessels work.

For erection to happen, blood need to flow go the erectile tissues and chambers for body. But if person get these health problems, blood vessels fit narrow, and this go make blood no reach the penis well.

This one fit make erection hard join with the other health wahala wey person get.

ED Fit Be Mental? Psychological Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Sometimes, ED no dey come only from physical health problems. This one come make person wonder—wetin about mental health? Fit be say mental health issues fit cause ED too?

The answer na yes. Psychological factors fit cause ED too.

Here be common mental states wey fit lead to psychogenic ED:

• Stress
• Performance anxiety
• Depression
• Certain drugs

Stress fit increase cortisol, wey be “fight-or-flight” hormone. This one go put body for alert mode instead of relaxation, and e fit reduce how body dey produce testosterone and sexual desire as a whole.

Performance anxiety—the fear of how person go perform for bed—fit also cause situational ED, wey dey happen only based on the partner or situation, instead of being a steady problem.

Depression fit affect brain chemistry by scattering hormone balance. E fit remove all sexual desire and make person no go react to konji.

Finally, some illegal drugs like cannabis fit put person for mental state wey go make erection hard. Some prescription drugs like SSRIs fit also affect mental health and cause ED.

Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

To Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction, Visit a Medical Professional

If you think you have erectile dysfunction (ED), the first step is to see a medical professional for tests. They’ll likely do blood tests, a physical exam, and ask questions about your sexual history to understand your condition better.

For those with possible psychological ED, extra questions may be asked about mental health and lifestyle.

Another option is the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) stamp test, which can be done at home to check for nighttime erections. If no erections are observed, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor for a full diagnosis.

How to Treat ED: Medical Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

If you’re dealing with ED, don’t worry—treatments are more accessible than ever. Here are some clinical remedies to consider:

• Erectile Dysfunction Therapy: Doctors may administer gels, creams, or injections at set intervals to improve erectile function.
• RestoreWave Therapy: This involves a probe device that emits sound waves over the penis, breaking down plaque and improving blood flow.
• Counseling: For those with mental health-related ED, counseling can address issues like depression and anxiety.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Sexual Health

Alongside these treatments, lifestyle changes can play a big role in treating ED. Consider these healthy habits:

• Eating foods that promote sexual health, like cinnamon
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Sleeping at least 7 hours a night
• Reducing stress
• Avoiding vices like smoking and heavy drinking

Treat ED with Priority Men’s Medical Center, Atlanta’s Leading Male Clinic

Erectile dysfunction can stem from physical, psychological, or combined factors, and it can greatly impact your sex life. Priority Men’s Medical Center in Atlanta offers comprehensive treatments for ED, aiming to restore confidence and sexual well-being.