Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by various factors that are generally classified as physical or psychological. Most popular physical factors that affect the ability to perform the erectile function perfectly are reduced blood flow to the penis and nerve damage in the penis or in the areas adjacent to it.
Other conditions that often damage the ability to get erection are:
- Vascular disease
- Drug addiction
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hormone disorders
- Surgery
- Pelvic trauma
- Peyronies’ disease
- Venous leak
- Psychological factors
Vascular diseases seem to be the most widespread factor that causes impotence (or erectile dysfunction). Vascular diseases result from arteriosclerosis, when the plaque is gathered in the arteries leading to narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Hence the blood flow through the body is reduced and the penis gets less blood too. Without the sufficient inflow of blood erection can be reached. The number of impotence cases caused by vascular diseases increases with age and men over 60 who suffer from vascular disease are very likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction too.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high level of cholesterol in the blood consult your doctor as you may become susceptible to arteriosclerosis.
Besides one of the main risk factors for any diseases connected with vascular system is smoking.
Drugs and alcohol may lead to impotence even if you use prescribed drugs. Over 200 prescribed drugs have side effects resulting in erectile dysfunction. Among them are drugs for high blood pressure, heart medications, antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, etc. Other medications taken into increased doses can also cause impotence. Besides alcohol and drug addicts bear high risk to get ill with erectile dysfunction.
Hormone disorders are a less frequent but nevertheless significant cause that leads to impotence. 5% of men suffering from erectile dysfunction have hormone disorder. Lack of testosterone results in a loss of sexual desire and loss of erection. An excess of some types of hormones such as prolactin causes testosterone deficiency. Any hormone imbalance can adversely influence your ability to get erection.
Over 60% of men who suffer from Diabetes Mellitus have serious problems with erection. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by a high level of sugar in the blood. Excessive sugar negatively influence the blood vessels damaging them along with small nerves throughout the body.
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