Vital physical and non-physical
causes of ED
Erectile Dysfunction, also known as
ED, is a disorder that affects the lives of many men.
The term Erectile Dysfunction covers a range of disorders,
but usually refers to the inability to obtain an adequate
erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
Achieving an erection is a complex process involving
the brain, nerves, blood vessels, and smooth muscle
inside the penis. If any of these systems fail to function
properly, a man may be unable to get an erection. Erectile
Dysfunction is further defined as the persistent or
repeated inability over a period of at least thee months
to maintain an erection for a satisfactory sexual performance.
An occasional episode of Erectile Dysfunction happens
to most men and is a normal occurrence. As men progress
in age, it's normal to experience changes in their erectile
function. Erections may take longer to develop, and
may not be as rigid or may require more direct stimulation
to be achieved. There can be several vital causes that
may be related to physical or psychological processes
that hinder maintaining an erection.
Vital causes of erectile dysfunction
There may be a number of vital causes due to which
men experience erectile dysfunction. Different individuals
may have this problem due to any one or more than reasons.
The causes may differ due to the differences in age
and the problems faced by men.
Stress, anxiety and penile disorders along with nerve
disorders are the leading causes of ED, but other causes
include:
- Prolonged, excessive smoking
- Excessive use of recreational drugs, such as alcohol,
marijuana, cocaine and heroin
- Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants,
pain killers, sleeping aids, cold remedies and tranquillizers
- Obesity
- Below normal testosterone levels
Vital physical causes for Erectile Dysfunction
Organic impotence
It involves the penile arteries and veins or sometimes
both. It is the most common cause of impotence, especially
in older men. When the problem is arterial, it is usually
caused by arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries,
although trauma to the arteries may be the cause. The
risk factors that cause arteriosclerosis are: being
overweight, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, high
blood pressure, and cigarette smoking.
Diabetes
Erectile Dysfunction is a common occurrence in people
suffering from diabetes. The process involves premature
and unusually severe hardening of the arteries. Peripheral
neuropathy, which involves the nerves controlling erections,
is commonly seen in persons with diabetes.
Neurological causes
There are many neurological or nerve problems which
cause impotence. Diabetes, chronic alcoholism, multiple
sclerosis, heavy metal poisoning, spinal cord and nerve
injuries, and nerve damage from pelvic operations can
cause Erectile Dysfunction.
Drugs
A number of prescription drugs used for blood pressure,
anxiety and depression, glaucoma eye disorder, and cancer
agents are just some of the many drugs that are associated
with causing ED.
Hormonal problems
Hormonal abnormalities such as increased prolactin,
a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland,
steroid abuse by body-builders, too much or too little
thyroid hormone, and hormones administered for prostate
cancer may cause impotence. Sometimes, low testosterone
level is also responsible for causing ED.
Diseases or injury affecting the sex organ
Peyronie's disease and priapism are the diseases most
often associated with ED. Peyronie's disease is a condition
of unknown cause that scars the penis and bends it.
Priapism is the name for an erection that won't go away.
It can damage your penis permanently.
Vital non-physical/psychological causes of ED
Psychological problems
The most common nonphysical causes are stress, anxiety
and fatigue. Impotence is also an occasional side effect
of psychological problems such as depression.
Negative feelings
Feelings that you express toward your sexual partner
or those expressed by your sexual partner such as resentment,
hostility or lack of interest also can be a factor in
Erectile Dysfunction.
Emotional reasons
Often, it happens that your past becomes a part of your
present and tries to overcome relationships. A simple
gesture or act may take you back into the past and a
sense of nostalgia may turn you off without any apparent
reason. It may also be due to lack of communication
between partners.
Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to have an erection
in order to have a satisfying sexual intercourse. There
may be a number of vital causes involved that lead to
ED. These causes can be physical and well as non-physical.
Back to Articles |
