Erectile Dysfunction & Masturbation

If you get an erection when you masturbate, but not during sex, it is likely that you are experiencing performance anxiety. Performance anxiety is a condition in which men feel particularly nervous about having sex. The anxiety surrounding sex can be for a variety of reasons, including body-image, self-esteem, worries about satisfying their partner, or lasting long enough. This anxiety can impact your sex life, contributing to erectile dysfunction or in some cases premature ejaculation. If these conditions occur, the anxiety may become heightened around sex, exacerbating the problem.

During moments of stress, the body releases a chemical called cortisol. Cortisol does various things to the body, including tightening the blood vessels. As erections rely on blood flow to the penis, this restricted flow can make it difficult to obtain or maintain an erection.

There are two primary approaches to overcoming performance anxiety: medication and psychological therapy. Medications such as Viagra and Cialis can help you to obtain and sustain an erection. This can help to reduce any anxiety about obtaining an erection, but can also help you achieve a more satisfying sex life. Psychological therapies, such as counselling or CBT, can be used to help you explore the root causes of your performance anxiety. This is more of a long-term cure than medication, as it should help resolve the problems underlying the condition. You can learn techniques to reduce your stress, better communicate with your partner and to control your anxiety levels. It is possible to use a combination of medication and psychological approaches to solve the short-term and long-term problems.

In recent years, there has been a big increase in erectile dysfunction for men under 40. It is thought that the availability of online pornography has contributed to this. Pornography-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) is thought to be caused by over-exposure to porn. A chemical in the brain called dopamine is necessary to get an erection. But when you watch porn – especially if you masturbate at the same time – you get a huge influx of dopamine. As you watch more porn, you may become desensitized. The dopamine levels you need to become aroused, have increased, so you may need to watch more extreme porn to become aroused. Following this, if you’re then in a situation with your partner, you may find it difficult to be aroused to the same level as you would be by porn, which can lead to erectile dysfunction.