A healthy erection function is the result of vascular health and adequate blood circulation in the genitals. It might be impacted by physiological as well as psychological factors.  

Anxiety and performance anxiety are psychological factors that might contribute to psychogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). They can impact sexual health.    

Anxiety and erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual disorder that is common among males regardless of age. Some may experience it temporarily while others might develop it permanently. The reason for its occurrence differs from one individual to another.     

Anxiety is a mental health concern that can interfere with the sexual function. It affects the arousal and consequently, the individual struggles to get or maintain erections.  

The sexual response gets affected as anxiety disrupts the brain's signals and prevents them from reaching the penile nerves. Because of signal malfunction, the penile nerves fail to receive signals from the brain about indications of arousal.  

As a result, the penile nerves do not conduct vasodilation in the penile. The blood vessels do not expand and the blood flow inside them does not increase. Thus, lack of adequate blood supply through the penile blood vessels affects the erection function.  

How does anxiety impact erections?

A psychological concern like anxiety triggers several physiological as well as psychological changes, which can contribute to sexual dysfunction. Given below are ways in which anxiety can potentially influence erections:     

Performance anxiety: Some individuals might experience symptoms of performance anxiety during intimate interactions. This might happen when the person is feeling pressured to perform well sexually.   

This difficulty might be a result of an unpleasant sexual experience of the recent past, wherein they have struggled to get or maintain erections, which contributed to their dismay.  

Feeling pressured to perform well sexually and not face the same difficulty can cause them to be in their head a lot. This can interfere with arousal, which can give rise to erection difficulties. Performance anxiety causes the development of fear or apprehension regarding sexual intimacy.  

Fortunately, performance anxiety can be managed with the help of self-help strategies. One can also consult a psychotherapist or a relationship expert that can help alleviate such difficulties and increase their intimacy.   

Worry: Anxiety triggers feelings of inadequacy in men. An event of failure to perform well can make them worry about their next sexual encounters. This fear or worry of not performing well in the past makes them conscious during intimacy.  

The worry can be a manifestation of anxiety. Usually, a person feels anxious when they are out of their comfort zone. Some difficult situations can cause them to feel anxious and worry excessively.  

Worrisome thoughts hinder sexual arousal. They may develop the worry about not being able to satisfy their partner intimately. This can give rise to difficulties in getting or maintaining erections and experiencing pleasure.  

Overthinking: Not being able to perform sexually well might trigger some esteem-related issues in some individuals. They might even lose their confidence and try avoiding intimate activities.  

They may feel pressured to give their best, but the failed sexual encounters of the past can cause them to overthink. This buildup of pressure contributes to persistent worry, excessive stress, and overthinking.  

The individual might keep thinking and planning a lot, but during the time of intimate interactions, their insecurities might be triggered. This leads to imbalances in the mental and physical connection. It can interfere with arousal and performance.  

Stress hormones: Anxiety is a negative emotion that can cause the release of a stress hormone, known as cortisol. An increase in the levels of this hormone can have an impact on sexual function negatively.  

It can disrupt the physiological functions and processes that happen during erection. The release of too much cortisol hormone happens due to anxiety, which can contribute to erection problems.  

Sympathetic nervous system activation: Anxious individuals are more likely to develop sexual difficulties. They struggle to get erections, or keep them, fail to get orgasms, and do not get to experience fulfilling intimate interaction.  

Anxiety triggers the brain’s “fight or flight” response. This response is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system. Anxiety stimulates the action of the sympathetic nervous system, which limits the flow of blood to the penile along with several other parts.  

However, a condition like erectile dysfunction can be effectively managed with ED medicines like Filitra Professional. These medicines deliver their action only during arousal. They cause vasodilation in the penile and boost the flow of blood to the penile.