Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Baltimore
Erectile disorder, more commonly called erectile dysfunction (ED), is a condition that has both physical and psychological implications for men and their partners.
Our therapists located in Baltimore, Maryland are here to help you with the mental components of ED.
For men in Western society, problems with gaining and maintaining an erection is often devastating and can trigger anxiety, depression and relationship conflict.
A proper understanding of the condition and how therapy can help is important. We work with some of the leading urologists in the greater Baltimore area to provide a comprehensive approach to helping you resolve your ED.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man has consistent trouble gaining and maintaining an erection. This condition generally makes penetrative sex difficult, if not impossible for men and their partners to enjoy.
Roughly 50% of men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives with the condition becoming more common as men age. Occasional loss of erection is common and should not be cause for alarm. If you find it distressing and it is causing personal or relationship problems a consult with a therapist can help.
The Center for Intimacy, Connection and Change has a partner website, ErectionIQ.com, with free resources to help men and their partners address the mind’s role in ED. Learn to think differently about erections to resolve ED with ErectionIQ’s “Beyond the Little Blue Pill” eCourse.
Factors for Increased Risk of ED
PSYCHOLOGICAL:
- Performance anxiety
- Relationship conflict
- General stress
- Sexual aversion
- History of premature ejaculation
BIOLOGICAL:
- Age
- Weight
- Diabetes
- Low testosterone
- Underlying medical issue
Commonly Asked Questions
For the majority of the 20th century, erectile dysfunction was believed to be an almost exclusively psychological condition. In the 1990s a number of pharmaceutical options for the treatment of ED became available and the conceptualization of the condition shifted to a largely biological model.
Currently most cases of erectile dysfunction are treated with medication. There are other medical treatments available, however they have a number of unwanted side effects and are more difficult to use making them a less desirable option.
Seeing a medical professional should be a part of your process and will often be your first stop. ED can be a sign of other medical conditions and a proper assessment is advised.
For many men, medication will be sufficient to help regain erections and in some cases can help restore confidence. ED medication does not work for everyone and does not work all of the time.
ED medication generally requires desire and sexual stimulation and that means that in a partnered setting you need to be able to work together.
If the desired outcome of the process is solely to restore erectile function and medication works for you… a therapist may not be the right fit. However, if your goal is to have a satisfying sex life, a medically-induced working erection alone may not be sufficient.
- Your condition has caused significant relationship conflict or distress
- Your erectile dysfunction medication is not working
- You experience performance anxiety
- Erectile dysfunction is only experienced in certain situations
- Your partner has taken personal offense to your ED
- You are uncomfortable taking medication
- You are focused more on getting an erection and performing than on the pleasure of sex
- Provide accurate information
- Learn relaxation techniques
- Address negative thoughts and beliefs that promote stress and performance anxiety
- Develop appropriate and realistic expectations that lead to a more satisfying sexual experience
- Address relationship conflict
- Help you talk to your partner about your condition
- Learn how to create pleasurable experiences for you and your partner
