In the ever-changing world, men are more immersed in their work than ever before. Everyone is running a rat race to acquire more fame and money. It happens to take a toll on your mental and physical health. Regular stress causes erectile dysfunction that can complicate personal relationships. Nowadays, high stress jobs and erectile dysfunction are linked with each other and we are going to explore the reasons and tips for mange work-life balance.
In this blog, we will talk about the link between stress and erectile dysfunction while discussing ways to combat the issue.
High Stress and Erectile Dysfunction – What should you know?
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual disorder where a man is unable to get a firm enough erection for sexual intercourse. The dysfunction can happen due to a wide range of physical and psychological issues.
Stress is also one of the common reasons for triggering or even exacerbating the ED. It could be a major reason for triggering or even exacerbating the condition.
Most workplaces nowadays work on the formula of meeting deadlines and fulfilling quotas. It creates constant pressure in your mind and takes priority in your life.
Stress is known to cause physiological changes in the body. It increases cortisol levels and heart rate, which deepens the issue. The body gets into fight or flight mode and disturbs the balance required.
An erection works with an interplay of hormones, ample blood flow, and mental well-being. Stress affects all of the aforementioned factors that can cause difficulty in achieving an erection.
Stress causes reduced blood supply to the pelvic region, which also contributes to weaker erections.
Chronic stress can even cause bodily changes by causing increased blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
Stress is also linked with plaque formation in blood vessels, which is also known as atherosclerosis. These health conditions can also impact sexual functioning.
High levels of stress can affect the production of testosterone and, therefore, directly influence sexual health.
How can Stress affect Sex life?
Stress at work can affect your sex life with the passage of time. The constant anxiety and tension create a mental barrier that affects the time spent with your partner.
It inhibits arousal as your mind is mostly preoccupied with work-related matters. This may also cause performance pressure and can cause a fear of failure. Over time, it impacts the performance and complicates the issue further.
Long working hours and meeting deadlines also cause physical exhaustion. The fatigue leaves almost no energy to initiate sexual activity and also decreases the interest in your partner.
The gap in physical intimacy will impact your relationship and might raise the number of conflicts initially. It can also create a void and affect emotional intimacy. With time, the conflicts keep rising and partners start drifting apart.
It is crucial to recognize the vicious cycle between erectile dysfunction and stress. Persistent stress can cause erectile difficulties and facing constant issues in lovemaking can further induce stress.
The stress levels keep spiking and a man gets into a never-ending loop and sees no way out. It can impact both personal and professional lives because a tired and unhappy person cannot even excel at work.
High Stress Jobs and Erectile Dysfunction: What can you do to?
Addressing the issue at the earliest is the best way to save your relationship. Fighting the issue needs a deeper understanding and a holistic approach. You should consider consulting a sexologist if you cannot pinpoint the exact issue or cannot find a solution for your distress.
Here is what you can do to manage stress better:
Communicate – It is essential to take your partner on board and discuss your concerns with them. Let them know about your situation at work and how it is causing mental and physical exhaustion. Ask them for the support and understanding that you need at that point. Feeling emotionally secure will win half the battle for you.
Focus on stress reduction: Get onto searching activities that help in reducing stress. Try various techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, etc and find what works for you.
Work-life balance:Â You can try to find a job with people who acknowledge work-life balance. Work with people who recognize the importance of taking breaks and prioritizing personal relationships.
Mental health:Â Find a sexologist or a counsellor who can provide therapy to help you combat stress at work. The counsellor will also help you work on your personal relationships.
Physical activity:Â Inculcate physical activity in your routine that can benefit both your physical and mental health. Try to take a few steps every half an hour at work to break the monotony and stay fitter.
Bottom Line
High-stress jobs can impact sexual relationships and cause erectile dysfunction. It is vital to understand how stress can cause chaos in life.
Acknowledge the impact it has on your personal relationships and try to work on it. Communicate with your partner and prioritize your mental health to begin with.
So, in the end, to answer your question, can stress and anxiety cause ED? It very well can and it is important to consult a sexologist to find a few coping mechanisms.
They can help you find solutions that work for you and help you in living a satisfying sex life.