How EMDR Therapy Can Free You From Erectile 'Dysfunction'

Erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety are common struggles. They can impact relationships, self-esteem, and take up so much thinking space. There are countless TV adverts promoting medication for erectile dysfunction, and a quick google search shows recommendations for penis pumps, surgery, and promises of ‘curing erectile dysfunction in an hour’. There is little mention of talking therapy. Many men avoid talking therapy due to embarrassment and thoughts that they’ll have to talk about everything in detail for hours, or because they simply think it won’t help.

But, if you are reading this, you are probably aware of how emotion, including worry about not being able to get an erection, impacts your ability to get one. When you go to have sex, memories of times you’ve struggled to get an erection come flooding back. You have probably told yourself ‘just stop worrying about it’ and tried to push these memories away, and then learnt that this doesn’t work.  

I am here to tell you that there is a therapy that can help you with this, where you don’t even have to talk much about your difficulties. It is called Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is an effective and efficient evidence-based therapy, and I have worked with many men who struggle with erectile dysfunction using EMDR, freeing them from these difficulties.

EMDR processes past experiences contributing to difficulties getting an erection (which could include sexual experiences where it wasn’t possible to get an erection, memories which impact self-esteem, past trauma, or other related memories). EMDR can also process the fear itself of not being able to get an erection. You may be unsure what memories or experiences relate to your difficulties. This is normal, and we can work it out together.

As a qualified EMDR practitioner and Clinical Psychologist who has worked with many men with these difficulties, there is no need to feel shame within our work. It is safe and confidential. EMDR can work effectively online or in person, and it may take less time than you think. If you would like to find out more about how it works or if it may be helpful for you, please contact me to book a free 10-minute initial chat, without any commitment needed from you.