Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that affects men of all ages. Being unable to achieve an erection or keep one for a meaningful amount of time can cause relationship, self-esteem, and psychological problems for men.

Sometimes factors such as low testosterone levels or another hormonal imbalance can contribute to the problem, but in almost all cases, the primary cause of erectile dysfunction is psychological in nature.

Anxiety is one of the leading culprits when it comes to being unable to get an erection, and the explanation for why that's the case is pretty straightforward.

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Understanding Fight or Flight in Relation to Male Sex-Drive

Anxiety, and other stresses, cause the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) to become active; when this happens, the well-known fight or flight response kicks in. If you haven't heard of it before, the fight or flight response is one of the primary biological instincts men have.

The idea is that when there is a danger, the brain will either decide to produce the hormones and chemicals required to rise to the challenge and fight the danger, or else it will produce the hormones required to flee from the situation as quickly as possible.

The problem is that no matter which option the brain chooses, it will divert the blood flow somewhere other than the penis. Should the brain decide to fight the danger, then it will send blood to the head and muscles so that the man can fight. On the other hand, if the brain decides to flee, then it will again send blood to the muscles so that the man can run as quickly as possible.

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How-To Regain Erections When You Have Anxiety

Fortunately, once you realize what's causing the problem, you can take steps to overcome the situation. By relaxing, putting yourself in a good frame of mind, and convincing your brain and body that you are not in any imminent danger, you should be able to regain your erections. Once the brain realizes your life is not being threatened, it can again send blood to your penis, which is, of course, what causes erections.

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Speak with a Doctor

Sometimes the problem will resolve itself, but other times, there can be some sort of psychological issue at work requiring therapy or counseling to resolve. If you have been experiencing anxiety lately and have had difficulty getting or keeping an erection, be sure to speak with your doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the problem.