Personality traits and mental health problems are among the many aspects linked to erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that affects as much as 80% of men over the age of 60. But researchers often overlook these psychological causes and their treatments in favor of biological components of ED, in keeping with a brand new article in Current Directions in Psychological Science.

In a review of existing research, Mark S. Allen, Alex M. Wood (Leeds Trinity University), and David Sheffield (University of Derby) call for research to raised integrate biological and psychological components of and coverings for ED.

“We desired to bring together the most important findings on the psychology of erectile dysfunction right into a single framework and lift awareness in regards to the psychological impact on individuals and their partners,” said Allen, a health and psychology researcher, in an interview with APS.

ED is defined as a consistent or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an erection that’s sufficient for sexual satisfaction. Biological origins range from heart conditions, drug use, or injury, while stress, depression, and intrusive thoughts represent some psychological causes. Nevertheless, researchers often attribute causes to at least one or the opposite somewhat than taking into consideration how these aspects interact, the authors explained.

For instance, men who rating high on the personality measure of neuroticism and low on extraversion face a heightened risk of ED, studies suggest. Those men are also more likely to interact in unhealthy behaviors resembling smoking and physical inactivity-;health behaviors known to contribute to ED, Allen and colleagues wrote.

Chronic stress and depression may also contribute to ED, as stress can elevate cortisol levels and increase nervous system activity that may disrupt the erectile processes, the researchers wrote. Other underlying causes include performance anxiety, which might distract from brain signals that initiate and maintain an erection.

ED can leave victims feeling emasculated, ashamed, and humiliated. Many may withdraw intimacy from their partners, who in turn may feel rejected. These aspects, amongst others, reinforce the necessity for further research “to assist understand how psychological aspects contribute to and may be implicated within the treatment” of ED, the researchers continued.

Clinical research has explored quite a lot of biological treatments, including testosterone supplements, medications resembling Viagra, and vacuum erection pumps. Psychological treatments, including cognitive behavioral, couples, and group therapies, have yielded mixed ends in studies. But Allen and his colleagues say the interaction of psychological and biological causes and coverings for ED remain sparsely investigated. Additionally they call for more research with diverse populations, including nonbinary and transgender individuals.

Ultimately, “it is necessary to do not forget that erectile dysfunction is a standard problem affecting individuals of all ages,” said Allen. “Bringing psychological treatments resembling couples therapy into the treatment regime could really be useful in treating erectile dysfunction and improving the psychological states of affected individuals and their partners.”