More than 90 percent of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction acknowledge that this disorder affects their emotional well-being and, of them, 17 percent say they feel deeply affected, according to the Boston Medical Male Sexual Health Barometer.
Coinciding with the Day of the Fight Against Erectile Dysfunction, specialists insist that addressing the psychological consequences of this disorder is as relevant as treating the physical symptoms.
In this sense, the experts explain that, when erectile dysfunction has an organic origin, such as hypertension or high cholesterol, psychological distress usually appears as a direct consequence of the sexual problem.
"Many men who come for consultation not only face the physical symptoms of erectile dysfunction, but also arrive with a great emotional burden, performance anxiety, fear of failure or relationship problems; all of this ends up affecting their self-esteem, due to the false belief that a man's worth depends on his sexual performance," said the doctor and sexologist of Boston Medical España, Antonio José Sánchez.
Professionals also remember that there is another type of patient in whom the psychological sphere acts as a trigger for the disorder. One example is situational erectile dysfunction, which only appears in certain circumstances or with some partners, and which is estimated to be present in about 20 percent of cases.
Likewise, it is calculated that around 40 percent of men with erectile dysfunction end up developing a secondary lack of sexual desire, the result of the frustration generated by this problem. On the other hand, almost 65 percent of premature ejaculation cases treated at Boston Medical manifest themselves from the beginning of the patient's sexual life.
In those first experiences, many men still do not know how to identify or properly manage arousal. Pressure, anxiety or insecurity can intervene and favor the early appearance of these difficulties.
Added to all this is, often, the difficulty of speaking openly about the issue. Shame, the fear of being judged or the idea that the problem will resolve itself contribute to postponing the decision to go to a professional.
This is a situation that specialists repeatedly observe in the consultation. "I remember a patient who delayed the appointment because he was embarrassed for the reception staff to see him. He arrived at the first appointment with true panic, but during the consultation he was losing his fear, felt at ease, and was able to begin his treatment," says doctor Ignacio Fernández of the Boston Medical clinic in Madrid.
From Boston Medical they underline that improving the approach to sexual dysfunctions requires understanding that the recovery of sexual function and the patient's confidence depends on a multidisciplinary intervention, with teams made up of specialists in urology, sexology, and psychology.
"It is not a matter of deciding whether the problem is 'in the body or in the mind,' but of understanding how biological, psychological, sexual, and relational factors interact in each patient," has stated the sexual therapy coordinator of Boston Medical Spain.
For this reason, the clinic recalls that in 2019 they incorporated sexual therapists to work in coordination with medical professionals and offer a comprehensive approach.