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Does stress affect erectile function?

Yes, stress affects erectile function by disrupting the processes needed for erections. It triggers the body's fight-or-flight response, which constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the penis. Stress also raises cortisol levels, which can lower testosterone and interfere with nerve signals for arousal.

Key points:

• Stress causes psychological erectile dysfunction through performance anxiety and mental distraction.
• It triggers physical changes like blood vessel constriction that limit blood flow to the penis.
• High stress elevates cortisol, which suppresses testosterone and harms erectile function.
• Perceived stress shows a strong negative link to erectile function, partly mediated by fatigue.

This text has been fact-checked for accuracy by Sorin Romaniuc, Pharmacist at medino.