Can anxiety cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes, anxiety can cause erectile dysfunction. It triggers the body's stress response, which interferes with blood flow to the penis and makes it harder to get or keep an erection. This link applies to both general anxiety and performance anxiety during sex.
Key points:
- Psychological factors like anxiety and stress directly contribute to erectile dysfunction.
- Anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system, reducing blood flow needed for erections.
- Performance anxiety creates a cycle where worry about sex worsens erection problems.
- Generalised anxiety disorder raises the risk of erectile dysfunction through ongoing stress.
This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.