Fatigue and stress also may cause sexual problems. A person who is very active during the day may be too worn out to perform sexually at night. Use of alcohol or other drugs can also lead to some difficulties sexually. A trial of abstinence from alcohol and drugs may help you know whether they are contributing to sexual problems. The partner with the problem usually tries to avoid sexual contact.
Couples often stop touching each other rather than confront failure.
In their pain, some people even stop talking to each other, while others resort to the use of words as weapons. Problems from Disease Problems getting or keeping an erection can be caused by diseases such as hardening of the arteries and diabetes. Ask your doctor about new, effective approaches to treat the problem. Disease also can cause sexual problems by damaging organs in your body or affecting their normal function. Some medicines, chemotherapy, or surgeries used to treat illnesses may also affect sexual functioning.