Can stress and mental health affect erections?

Mental health plays a major role in erectile dysfunction. Stress, anxiety, and depression can interfere with sexual arousal by reducing the brain’s ability to send signals that trigger an erection. Performance anxiety, especially in younger men, is a common cause of ED. Relationship problems or low self-esteem can make the issue worse. Even if ED is caused by physical conditions, psychological stress often makes it more severe. The good news is that counseling, therapy, or stress-management techniques can help significantly. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, or open communication with a partner improve mental well-being and, in turn, sexual health. In some cases, a combination of therapy and medication provides the best results. Addressing mental health is just as important as treating physical causes when managing ED.