Erectile disorder (more widely known as “erectile dysfunction”) affects about 1 in 3 AMAB individuals, but it nevertheless can be a source of distress and shame for many dealing with it. In order to unpack the complicated feelings about, and determine the potential solutions for ED, it’s important to start at the source of what exactly an erection is and the variety of factors that can affect it.
Put simply, an erection is a result of reinforcing communication between the penis and the brain–physical stimulation can result in the psychological stimulation, which sends reciprocal signals back, or the reverse can happen–where stimulation is initiated in the brain. These signals send blood to the penis, causing it to become erect, and the veins compress, keeping the blood where it is, and the penis hard. When this conversation is interrupted, however, erectile difficulties…arise. And when this happens in 75% or more of sexual encounters over a 6 month period, it gets classified as a “disorder.”
Essentially the troublemakers causing the disruptions fall into three categories–psychological, biological, and lifestyle factors. Let’s take a look!
Psychological– Cultural and societal expectations, anxiety, or even self-esteem issues are some of the influences working against those experiencing erectile difficulties. “When [an AMAB person] thinks of the partner as outside of their league, or someone that they may not be able to please or impress, this can also lead to anxiety about performance, [and] insecurities about inadequacies,” says Moushumi Ghose, MFT.
Biological– Of course, there are often physical factors involved as well. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, certain medications, some surgeries, and hormone levels can all affect erections. When you think about it, it makes sense that anything damaging and/or affecting blood vessels and circulation could impact the very function that relies upon blood flow!
Lifestyle–Smoking, alcohol use, and lack of exercise can all contribute to damaged blood vessels and lack of circulation as well.
The great news is that understanding and examining these factors can help individuals with erectile disorder figure out the solutions that work best for them! There are plenty of treatments available which address each concern. Medications, for example, are fairly well-known at this point, however lifestyle adjustments like smoking cessation or increased exercise/movement can also make a difference. Additionally, mental health-focused strategies such as mindfulness, meditation, and let’s not forget therapy can be extremely beneficial. Mou says, “in order to really truly get to the bottom of this, your anxiety will need to be dealt with…I often use a variety of tools with my clients ranging from reeducation, to learning what they’ve learned about their manhood being tied to having an erection.”
At the end of the day, ED can be very distressing, but if you’re struggling with it, you are one of so many people, and there is likewise so much help available to you, to both figure out the “why?” and from there, the “how to solve?” Click the link below to read more about erectile disorder, its causes, and which solutions might be right for you!
Caitlin Oates
Author
New to the LAST team, Caitlin is a writer, creative, and practice manager with a passion for sex-positivity, LGBTQIA advocacy, and mental health care.
Caitlin earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Northwestern University, and now flexes those communication muscles teaching medical students humanism skills, coaching athletes in functional fitness, and learning from and working with LAST to promote, amplify, and normalize the importance of sexual and mental health.