Psychological causes were once widely assumed to be the predominant cause of erectile dysfunction. However, if the correct definition of erectile dysfunction is applied, namely, the persistent loss of penile rigidity in all circumstances, then psychogenic erectile dysfunction proves to be less common than its organic counterpart, especially in older men.

Psychogenic erectile dysfunction typically occurs in younger men, and is variable and often associated with performance anxiety. Increased sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone and raised circulating norepinephrine levels are most probably involved.

Psychogenic factors also come into play in other forms of erectile dysfunction, as failure of erection itself induces anxiety, loss of confidence and sometimes relationship difficulties. The conviction that an erection will not develop when required, therefore, becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Vasculogenic Causes of ED
Neurogenic Causes of ED
Endocrinological Causes of ED
Priapism and Postpriapism ED
Psychogenic Causes of ED