Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment

Online Therapy For Individuals and Couples is Also Available Throughout Maryland, Texas, and Florida

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Understanding Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Are you becoming concerned because nothing seems to be helping?

There are three kinds of ED: medical, psychological, and mixed. Sometimes they’re easy to distinguish, but sometimes it takes an expert to tell the difference. Maybe you went to your urologist, or primary care doctor only to find out there isn’t just a physical reason. Your tests showed your testosterone levels were great, or perhaps you are concerned that you are too young to need medication assistance. At this point what you do know is that it’s beginning to negatively impact you.

Sex Therapy Can Help!

Sex therapy can be highly beneficial for those dealing with Erectile Dysfunction, particularly when psychological, relational, or emotional factors contribute to the condition. It provides a safe and supportive environment to address anxiety, improve communication, rebuild sexual confidence, and redefine intimacy. By combining emotional support with practical strategies, sex therapy helps individuals and couples overcome the challenges of ED and reconnect with their sexuality.

What are Psychological, Relational or Emotional Factors?

 

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Depression

  • Body Image

  • Lifestyle Factors

  • Intimacy Beyond Penetration

  • Relationship Issues

  • Performance Anxiety

  • Porn Addiction

  • Past Trauma

  • Negative Sexual Experiences

  • Guilt

  • Stress

What if it’s Physical?

Some psychical contributors to Erectile Dysfunction (ED) include:

  • High Blood Pressure

  • High Cholesterol

  • Poor Cardiovascular Health

  • Arteriosclerosis

  • Obesity

  • Diabetes

  • Nerve Damage

  • Side Effect of Medication

  • Peyronie’s Disease

  • Venous Leak

  • Hormones (Low Testosterone, Hyperthyroidism)

For men who struggle with Erectile Dysfunction, I recommend that you meet with a urologist in order to rule out any potential physical causes of ED. If you are able to obtain an erection while masturbating but struggle with erectile dysfunction with a partner, this may be a sign that your erectile problems are psychologically based. If your Erectile Dysfunction is a result of physical concerns, attending sex therapy can still be helpful. It can help alleviate any associated shame and assist you in finding ways to enjoy and embrace your sexuality despite any physical limitations.

FAQs

  • While ED primarily affects men, therapy can also be beneficial for partners. Relationship and emotional intimacy issues often contribute to ED, and couples therapy can help both partners navigate the changes and challenges associated with ED. Sex therapy helps couples enhance their emotional connection, improve communication, and address issues affecting both partners’ sexual health and satisfaction.

  • Therapy for ED can be beneficial by addressing psychological, emotional, and relational issues that contribute to sexual dysfunction. Sex therapy can help:

    • Manage performance anxiety or stress.

    • Build communication skills with your partner about sexual desires and needs.

    • Address depression or emotional distress that may be affecting sexual health.

    • Increase sexual confidence and intimacy with non-penetrative activities.

    • Help address relationship issues that could be contributing to ED.

    • Sex Therapy: Focuses on helping individuals and couples address psychological factors and improve intimacy.

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Used to address negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, stress, or depression that affect sexual performance.

    • Couples Therapy: Can help both partners understand each other’s emotional and sexual needs, fostering better communication and reducing relationship-related ED.

    • Psychosexual Therapy: This combines sex therapy and counseling, particularly effective for addressing trauma or complex psychological factors affecting sexual health.

    • All therapies come with building personalized interventions, treatment and other skills as needed based on client needs.

  • Yes, therapy can be highly effective for managing ED, particularly when psychological or emotional factors play a role. For many individuals, therapy can provide long-term improvements in sexual health and intimacy. While medical treatments like medications can address physical symptoms, therapy often gets to the root causes of ED and helps with emotional and relational issues.