# How do they cure psychological erectile dysfunction? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894 "2012-01-27T19:28:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/1 "2012-01-27T19:28:40Z")
Right, as I understand it, impotance has two possible types of cause: medical and psychological. Either your blood vessels are damaged because you are too fat or suchlike, or you freak yourself out by overthinking, and it doesn’t happen. So. I imagine the medical one is cured with viagra. How do they cure the psychological one? Counselling? Viagra? (Show it’s possible) Just don’t masterbate until critical mass is reached? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/2 "2012-01-28T04:20:07Z")
I had a short bout of what I guess was psychological ED. It freaked me the fuck out, I had no idea why I “wasn’t working” anymore, was convinced that I would be like that for life, etc. When I went to the doctor she basically said that based on my age/health (late 20’s, healthy) it was probably psychological (which sounded like BS to me at the time), that it happens all the time, and not to worry. She told me to stop worrying, eat only healthy food with lots of fruits and vegetables, and increase my exercise (I exercise regularly already). If I didn’t get better in 2 weeks, call back and they’d recommend a specialist. A week later I was fine. I suspect just talking to someone and doing _something_ about it (changing diet, working out) was enough to snap me out of whatever funk I was in. My guess is that counseling/therapy combined with the placebo effect goes a long way. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/3 "2012-01-28T04:49:23Z")
> [@wheresmymind](#): > > My guess is that counseling/therapy combined with the placebo effect goes a long way. You just needed a good stiff talking-to. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/4 "2012-01-28T05:31:03Z")
many cases of psychological disfunction are caused by anxiety. So anti-anxiety medications (eg Xoloft etc) can often help. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/5 "2012-01-28T09:19:52Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > many cases of psychological disfunction are caused by anxiety. So anti-anxiety medications (eg Xoloft etc) can often help. Except many anti-anxiety medications have been documented to [interfere with sexual function](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sertraline#Sexual_side_effects). I’m not saying that lowering anxiety is a bad idea, but doing it with SSRIs can be counterproductive. Other methods (like cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, or meditation) don’t have sexual side-effects. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/6 "2012-01-28T23:30:32Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > Either your blood vessels are damaged because you are too fat or suchlike . . . You are way oversimplifying “medical” causes, most of which have nothing to do with damaged blood vessels. For many (most?) men, it’s caused by certain medications, e.g. those that lower blood pressure . . . often to the point where Viagra is useless. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/7 "2012-01-29T21:57:51Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > You just needed a good stiff talking-to. I suppose. But don’t be too hardon yourself. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/8 "2012-01-29T22:09:16Z")
Psychological problems are just what they sound like. I am a firm believer in Better Living Through Chemistry, but and as an adjunct to any therapy for longtime psychological ET, it takes two to tango, as it were: you and your sexual partner. A huge amount of work sometimes has to be done there between the two of you. Anxiety is too simple an answer in many cases. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/9 "2012-01-30T00:43:07Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > . . . as an adjunct to any therapy for longtime psychological ET, it takes two to tango, as it were: you and your sexual partner. A huge amount of work sometimes has to be done there between the two of you. This is true even for “medical” ED, which I have. Thanks to my wonderful partner, our sex life has not diminished at all . . . and without pills. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/10 "2012-01-30T02:45:35Z")
I’m just guessing – though I’ll guess it’s a _good_ guess 😉 – but by making erection easier Viagra may help with psychological impotence. (Isn’t fear of poor performance a reason for impotence? This miracle drug will give you confidence!) See if your friend can get a small dose and experiment. I’m lucky to live in a country where generic Viagra is available OTC for $1/pill (i.e., 50 cents a dose since I never take more than half a pill). Despite having no serious problem in my 60’s, knowing what I know now I’d have taken Viagra “recreationally” even in my 30’s or 40’s, had it existed. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/11 "2012-01-30T02:57:57Z")
I have read one test for determining whether ED is physical or psycological is whether or not a man still has nocturnal erections. If you still get morning wood, then it is psychological. Sometimes they use a test consisting of a thin paper tape secured around the flaccid penis before sleep. If the tape is broken in the morning, you had an erection, and any ED is probably psychological. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/12 "2012-01-30T04:07:12Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > … Sometimes they use a test consisting of a thin paper tape secured around the flaccid penis before sleep. If the tape is broken in the morning, you had an erection, and any ED is probably psychological. A few connected postage stamps from a roll is an easy home test. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/13 "2012-01-30T04:12:27Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Except many anti-anxiety medications have been documented to [interfere with sexual function](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sertraline#Sexual_side_effects). I’m not saying that lowering anxiety is a bad idea, but doing it with SSRIs can be counterproductive. Other methods (like cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, or meditation) don’t have sexual side-effects. The specific side effect of Sertraline (Xoloft) thats most commonly seen is taking longer to ejaculate, not problems getting an erection. Some users might see that as a feature not a bug 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/14 "2012-01-30T04:16:09Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > A few connected postage stamps from a roll is an easy home test. This explains why so many disgruntled postal employees go on shooting sprees with their _other_ guns. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/15 "2012-01-30T05:30:17Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > The specific side effect of Sertraline (Xoloft) thats most commonly seen is taking longer to ejaculate, not problems getting an erection. Some users might see that as a feature not a bug 😉 SSRIs (including sertraline) are prescribed off-label to treat P.E. disorders in men (premature ejaculation). So you are exactly right. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/16 "2012-01-30T17:28:43Z")
This information is old, before Viagra, but back when I was in school this is the way they did it: Forbid intercourse for a couple of weeks and give the couple other things to do to work on intimacy, such as massages and extended third base, increasingly like intercourse each week. Since the problem was usually performance anxiety not trying to perform would take care of it and at some point the ability would come back. After a couple of succesfull sessions the problem would be cured. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/17 "2012-01-30T18:10:38Z")
> [@wheresmymind](#): > > A week later I was fine. I suspect just talking to someone and doing _something_ about it (changing diet, working out) was enough to snap me out of whatever funk I was in. It’s good to see you took matters into your own hands. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/18 "2012-01-30T19:39:13Z")
Heard about the old man who was arrested for assault with a dead weapon? 😃 (Rim shot!) Bye now. (I’ll be here all week) ---
**Author:** ![hax0rcist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3e96dc/32.png) [@hax0rcist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hax0rcist)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/19 "2012-01-30T19:47:47Z")
Two chicks at the same time ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-cure-psychological-erectile-dysfunction/610894/20 "2012-01-30T20:24:16Z")
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