Tension is a stumbling block to sexual happiness; psychogenic erectile dysfunction requires stress reduction.
**Part 9**
**Nervousness is an obstacle to sexual happiness.**
**Case Study**
**Name: Ma Fu (pseudonym), 28 years old**
**Region: Shaoxing, Zhejiang**
**Occupation: HVAC Engineer at a Design Institute**
Ma Fu had been married for three years without conceiving. In the evenings, watching his peers walk with their babies, he felt incredibly envious. His elders kept urging them to have a baby soon. Although their sex life was relatively harmonious, they couldn't conceive, putting immense pressure on him and his wife. Their first erectile dysfunction occurred six months ago when they were facing their long-awaited ovulation period. His wife had successfully induced ovulation with clomiphene, and the doctor specifically instructed them to relax as much as possible and plan their sex life carefully during those days. Before intercourse, Ma Fu even drank wine to enhance his libido, but he still couldn't achieve an erection. The next day, he tried again but only managed a partial erection, unable to complete intercourse. Since then, his erectile dysfunction has worsened, his wife has begun to complain, and their sex life has been overshadowed.
Dr. Zhang Kai, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Urology at Peking University First Hospital, explains: Some cases of erectile dysfunction are not caused by physical illness, but rather by mental and psychological stress. Patients typically experience erections at night and upon waking in the morning. Mr. Ma is a typical example of psychogenic erectile dysfunction. His intense desire to have a baby put him under immense psychological pressure, particularly the pressure from his doctor and wife before ovulation, leading to erectile failure.
When a person is under stress, the chemicals secreted in their body are not conducive to erection and instead promote flaccidity. Therefore, during sexual intercourse under stress, the penis is difficult to achieve an erection, or it quickly becomes flaccid after erection. Patients often experience further anxiety, low self-esteem, and tension, creating a vicious cycle. Occasional failures or slightly weaker erections are normal, but people often exacerbate the condition due to stress. Factors such as excessive work stress and fatigue, dissatisfaction with changes in work or environment, poor sexual environment or living conditions, high levels of fear and pressure, fear of pregnancy, fear of the wife not reaching orgasm and complaining, and fear of contracting sexually transmitted diseases can all lead to psychological stress and affect sexual function.
There are also underlying organic problems, such as micropenis, slightly long foreskin, and poor physical condition. When these individuals experience psychological trauma, their pre-existing organic conditions can worsen. They may become even more convinced that they have a problem and are incapable of performing, leading to a prolonged period of depression.
For erectile dysfunction caused by psychological stress, the focus should be on alleviating the patient's anxiety and restoring their confidence in their sexual abilities. Creating a warm and sweet atmosphere before sexual activity, such as the wife wearing sexy lingerie, playing soothing music, or taking a bath together, can be helpful. Simultaneously, patients with erectile dysfunction can actively participate in physical exercise. This can improve their mental state and boost their self-confidence; furthermore, by strengthening their physique, they can increase libido and erectile function, especially effective for those engaged in mental work. If necessary, some auxiliary medications can also be used for adjustment.
It is important to note that some people mistake an occasional poor sexual experience for erectile dysfunction. If this negative perception persists, and they become anxious every time they have sex, it can actually trigger erectile dysfunction in the long run.
In reality, it's normal for healthy men to experience occasional sexual failures, such as difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, especially when they are in a bad mood or physical condition. This is not a normal phenomenon. Some men's sexual failures are due to a lack of sexual experience and are not necessarily caused by psychological stress-related erectile dysfunction.