Today’s episode is about how new relationships affect erectile dysfunction.
How New Relationships Impact Erectile Dysfunction
mark@centericc.com
Nov 19, 2025
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Erectile Dysfunction Radio Podcast
Today’s episode of the Erectile Dysfunction Radio Podcast is about how new relationships affect men with erectile dysfunction. The Erectile Dysfunction Radio Podcast is dedicated to educating and empowering men to address erectile dysfunction, improve confidence, and enhance the satisfaction in their relationships. This podcast is hosted by certified sex therapist, Mark Goldberg, LCMFT, CST.Transcript of Episode 7 – How New Relationships Impact Erectile Dysfunction
On this episode, we’re going to be talking about erectile dysfunction and new relationships. I know that this material is not going to apply to everybody, because not everybody is in a new relationship.
I do think though, that some of the principles that we cover are probably applicable to almost any man who finds himself in a partnered setting struggling with erectile dysfunction.
New relationships present some unique challenges when it comes to erectile dysfunction. We’ve mentioned in previous recordings, we’ll mention it again here that relationships can and do play a significant role in erectile dysfunction.
It’s common for a man to be able to achieve an erection by himself and struggle when he is trying to achieve an erection with a partner. That added pressure in a partnered setting can be way more significant in a new relationship. Performance anxiety, pressure to impress, fear of judgment are amongst some of the factors that could be pretty intense in a new relationship.
What do we consider a new relationship? There really is no singular definition. I consider any non-committed relationship to be like a new relationship. The opportunities for safety, security, trust, and meaningful connection are limited.
That’s not a criticism of your relationship. But it is a likely reality. It takes time to build those things in relationships, and new relationships simply haven’t had that time.
Another point to consider and something that I’ve encountered in the clinical setting is if you actually want to be in the relationship, and if you don’t, do you feel obligated to engage in sexual activity, even though you don’t want to be there? Do you feel comfortable sharing your preferences, sharing what you like, what you don’t like, what you want?
Or does it feel too new and too fresh, too awkward, too uncomfortable to actually say something? Are you concerned about the size or the shape of your penis? Are you holding on to other insecurities?
Are you trying to impress your partner? It’s very common in new relationships for both parties to try to present themselves as best as possible and sexuality is no different.
I think it’s also important to ask yourself, how much do you know about the person who you’re with? Are you uncomfortable with how much you actually don’t know about them?
Are you uncomfortable with just how much you don’t know? Lastly, have you discovered something that you didn’t expect? Perhaps a feature that you find very unattractive? This is obviously more common in new relationships, as the gap between what you expected and what you might find is generally more pronounced.
If you are in a new relationship and answered yes to any of these questions, there is a good chance that they are playing a role in your ED.
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