Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection long enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Worldwide, ED affects 52% of men.1 However, generally all men experience ED at some point in their lifetime. Stress can interfere with sexual function and cause ED. You can treat erectile dysfunction by using malegra green 100 mg. How stress affects a person’s physical, mental, and sexual health, along with strategies for managing stress to improve quality of life.
The relationship between stress and sexuality
The stress response, as it is known, is how we respond to real or perceived threats. Two main hormones play a role in the fight or flight response: adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is produced by the adrenal glands and acts immediately so that we are ready to react to danger. After adrenaline peaks, cortisol is released for several hours. Cortisol keeps us in a less intense but still stressful state until the threat has passed. Long-term, chronic stress means that hormones designed to protect us from harm cause stress-related problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and ED.
How Stress Affects Sex Drive
When you encounter stress, your body goes through a series of changes to prepare you to flee or stay and fight. This is known as the fight or flight response. As part of the fight or flight response, you may experience an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate while non-essential functions, such as sex drive, drop sharply.
Physiological effects
This response also triggers the release of hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which can decrease sex drive at high levels. When stress is chronic, the body uses sex hormones to meet the increased demand with high production of cortisol, decreasing interest in sex.
Psychological effects
Besides the physical effects of stress, there is also a psychological aspect. Stress can cause your mind to become preoccupied, and unstable, and distract you from wanting sex or being present during sex. It can also affect your mood, leading to anxiety and depression, both of which can lower libido.
Lifestyle choices
Uncontrolled stress can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking, and overeating and poor lifestyle choices such as lack of self-care and exercise. This shift can affect how you feel about yourself and interfere with healthy sex life.
Coping with stress and low sex drive
It is possible to reduce stress and maintain a good sex life, especially if you put in the time and effort. Here are some strategies to consider.
Practice stress management
If you suspect that life’s stress is affecting your libido, one of the first solutions you should consider is overall stress management. If you reverse your stress response by using effective relaxation techniques, you won’t experience as many hormonal disruptions from chronic stress. Try some proven strategies for dealing with anxiety or depression in other areas of your life so they don’t affect your sex drive.
Examine your relationship
When dealing with low libido, it’s also important to look at the health of your relationship. Studies show that stress and conflict in relationships can be a stronger factor in low libido than other types of stress. This is true for both men and women. Because their partner’s satisfaction affects their libido, a lack of interest from one partner can lead to a lack of interest for both partners. Try to find a strategy that supports the needs of both partners. Getting through relationship troubles is important for many reasons, and your sex drive is a big one.
Exercise together
Exercise is a great way to keep stress at bay and boost your self-esteem which, in turn, can boost your libido. If you feel like you can’t get enough alone time with your partner, consider working out as a couple. A quick jog or evening walk together can help you feel more connected while keeping the endorphins flowing. If your partner wants to try yoga.
Practice self-care
It’s hard to have sex if you don’t feel good about yourself. Practicing self-care means eating healthy, exercising, sleeping well, practicing stress management techniques, pampering yourself, and enjoying time for self-reflection.
Make time for each other
Many of us feel busier than we ever thought possible. Being constantly busy means little downtime, which can drain your energy and make sex unpleasant. A busy schedule can also mean a busy mind and having too much on your mind can make it difficult to relax and get in the mood. Packed schedules can also present difficulties in finding time for sex, or making it seem like just one more chore on your mile-long to-do list.
Focus on sensation, not sex
The power of touch is a pretty powerful stress reliever and doesn’t have to involve sex. Hold hands, take time to cuddle more (when you hug someone, the stress-busting hormone oxytocin is released), or explore each other through partner massage. Touch is a great way to show affection to your partner without any added pressure of expecting sex.
Tips for managing mental and sexual health
ED can affect a man’s quality of life by causing problems with confidence and self-image, as well as depression. It’s important to find what works for you to manage mental health, which can also improve your sexual health. There are strategies you can take advantage of to help improve both.
Reduce stress
Because chronic stress can cause ED, taking steps to manage and reduce stress can help improve sexual function. Participants were involved in an eight-week stress management program that included diaphragmatic breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and supportive meetings with others. Findings showed significant improvement in perceived stress and inflated task scores.5
Treat erectile dysfunction directly
Sometimes, even after you figure out how to manage your mental health issues, you may still have erectile dysfunction symptoms. For example, ED is a potential side effect of many antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, and changing medications for your mental health problems may not always be the best option. If that is the case, there are medications available that only treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis). Some men find sex counseling beneficial here. This type of therapy focuses on improving sexual dysfunction (such as ED) and is especially helpful if you have experienced abuse.
Talk to your partner
Talking to your partner is an important part of managing the stress of ED. A trusted partner ready to help and support you. Discussing it can also help you both grow closer as you tackle the challenge as a team.
