Often people with penises experience difficulties with erections when they have been drinking alcohol or are under stress but where this becomes something that happens frequently it may be described as Erectile Disorder (ED).

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We would always recommend a visit to the GP if ED is something that happens frequently as it can be an indicator of health problems which need medical treatment, such as diabetes, or heart disease.

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How Erections Work.

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When a person with a penis experiences sexual arousal, hormones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels work together to produce an erection. Nerve signals from the brain prompt the muscles to relax, allowing blood to flow into the penile tissue. Once the penis is filled with blood and an erection is achieved, the blood vessels close off to maintain it. After sexual arousal, these vessels reopen, permitting blood to exit and leading to the subsiding of the erection. Given the complexity of these processes, it's understandable that erectile dysfunction (ED) can occur. Various factors can disrupt this process, and once ED begins, it may lead to a cycle of performance anxiety. This is where sex therapy can be beneficial.

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How Sex Therapy Can Help with Erectile Disorder.

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If your medical tests are complete and no underlying medical reasons for your ED have been found, the next step is to consider sex therapy. Factors such as performance anxiety, relationship issues, and arousal difficulties can contribute to ED, and these can be effectively tackled through specialized sex therapy. After a thorough assessment, your sex therapist will collaborate with you to rebuild your confidence in erections by utilising a mix of cognitive and behavioural strategies.

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Sex therapists are specially trained to work with sexual issues and it is something they talk about all day long. Don't let embarrassment prevent you from getting the help that you need.  

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