Male Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes referred to as impotence is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Most men experience this at some point in their lives, usually by age 40, and are not psychologically affected by it.

Some men, however, experience chronic, complete erectile dysfunction (impotence), and others, partial or brief erections. Frequent erectile dysfunction can cause emotional and relationship problems, and often leads to low self-esteem and a feeling of inadequacy. This means that seeking help becomes difficult because overcoming thoughts and embarrassment limits action and compounds the problem. Erectile dysfunction has many causes, most of which are treatable, and is not always an inevitable consequence of aging.

It affects over 2 million men in the UK. That's around 1 in 10 men. All men with erectile dysfunction would benefit from counselling and it should be an integral part of treatment.

Many men suffer from erection problems when they are stressed, tired or under pressure to perform in some way. However, in men who experience erection problems more consistently, the problem is more likely to originate in an undetected medical condition causing his ED and should be checked out by his GP.

It's very common for women to blame themselves when a partner fails to achieve or maintain an erection. The woman may feel that there's something wrong with her lovemaking technique or that your partner doesn't find her attractive any more. Many women also worry that their partner is having an affair or wants to end the relationship.   The truth is that although women may experience these feelings and thoughts, it's unlikely that an erection problem is caused by a loss of interest in you, or a desire to end a relationship.  

A significant number of men develop impotence from psychological causes that can be overcome. When a physiological cause is treated, subsequent self-esteem problems may continue to impair normal function and performance. As a therapist I work with couples or individuals to reduce anxiety, restore sexual communication, and create realistic expectations for sex, all of which can improve erectile function.