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Erectile Dysfunction Causes
There are several different causes for Erectile
Dysfunction, both physical and psychological in nature. According to the
American Foundation for Urologic Disease, experts believe that 70% of
erectile dysfunction cases are due to physical causes and 30% are psychological
in nature. Usually both aspects are involved. Occasional erectile failures
due to lack of sleep, stress, or alcohol consumption are normal and are
not an indication of a problem. It is when the condition persists and
interferes with normal sexual activity, that medical advice should be
sought for sexual dysfunction.
Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Since an erection requires a sequence of events, impotence can occur when
any of the events is disrupted. The sequence includes nerve impulses in
the brain, spinal column, and area of the penis, and response in muscles,
fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa.
Damage to arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, often as a result
of disease, is the most common cause of impotence. Diseases–including
diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis,
and vascular disease–account for about 70 percent of cases of impotence.
Between 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience impotency.
Surgery (for example, prostate surgery) can injure nerves and arteries
near the penis, causing impotence. Injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate,
bladder, and pelvis can lead to erectile dysfunction by harming nerves,
smooth muscles, arteries, and fibrous tissues of the corpora cavernosa.
Also, many common medicines produce erectile dysfunction as a side effect.
These include high blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants,
tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug).
Physical Causes
• blockage of arteries
• diabetes
• neurological disorders
• disease of the erectile tissue of the penis
• pelvic surgery and/or trauma
• side effects of medications
• chronic disease (such as kidney or liver failure)
• thyroid problems
• hormonal abnormalities
• alcoholism and drug abuse
• heavy smoking
Psychological Causes
• stress and anxiety from work or home
• worry about poor sexual performance
• marital discord
• unresolved sexual orientation
• depression
• guilt
• low self-esteem
Such factors are broadly associated with more than 80 percent of cases
of impotence, usually as secondary reactions to underlying physical causes.
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