# Association between a history of frequent masturbation and anxiety/depression in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction

## TL;DR

Younger men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction who frequently masturbate show higher anxiety and depression and lower resilience.

## Contribution

Identifies a novel association between frequent masturbation history and psychological symptoms in psychogenic erectile dysfunction patients.

## Key findings

- Frequent masturbation history correlates with higher anxiety and depression scores in psychogenic erectile dysfunction patients.
- Patients with frequent masturbation history show lower psychological resilience compared to others.
- Younger age is associated with a history of frequent masturbation in this patient group.

## Abstract

Psychogenic erectile dysfunction patients accounted for a substantial percentage of younger erectile dysfunction ones. This cross-sectional observational study investigated the correlation between a history of frequent masturbation and anxiety/depression symptoms in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction .

Baseline characteristics showed significant between-group differences in age (the Frequent Masturbation History group younger, P < 0.05), but not in disease duration, residence, or lifestyle factors. The Frequent Masturbation History group demonstrated significantly higher anxiety (GAD-7: Z=-2.17, P = 0.030) and depression scores (PHQ-9: Z=-3.01, P = 0.003), alongside significantly lower psychological resilience (CD-RISC: Z=-2.53, P = 0.011) compared to the Non-Frequent Masturbation History group. These findings indicate that frequent masturbation history in psychogenic erectile dysfunction patients is associated with younger age, elevated anxiety/depression symptomatology, and reduced stress adaptability.

Clinical implications suggest incorporating behavioral pattern assessment and psychological screening into psychogenic erectile dysfunction evaluations. Targeted interventions should focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy to address maladaptive beliefs, mindfulness training to reduce performance anxiety, and partner-involved support to disrupt the observed “masturbation to anxiety/depression to erectile dysfunction” cycle. Future longitudinal studies integrating biopsychosocial assessments are warranted to elucidate temporal relationships.