Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can have various causes:

• a disease;
• the use of certain medicines;
• psychological problems related to stress.

To better understand the possible causes of erectile dysfunction, you need to understand what determines the erection.

When a man is sexually excited, his brain sends signals to the nerves. Nerves stimulate blood flow to the penis, because of this tissue expands and hardens. So anything that interferes with nervous system performance or blood circulation, can cause problems with potency.

Anything that affects libido (sexual desire and excitement), can also cause impotence, because of decreased libido brain harder controls erection. Mental disorders such as depression can decrease libido, as well as hormone levels (chemical substances produced by the body).

What Can Cause Erectile Disorders?

There are 4 main types of physical disorders that affect an erection:

1. vasculogenic disorders are blood flow disorders to the penis;
2. neurogenic disorders are disorders of nervous system comprising brain, nerves, and spinal cord;
3. hormonal disorders are hormonal violations;
4. anatomical disorders are disorders of penis anatomical structure.

Vasculogenic disorders:

• Cardiovascular disease – the disease of cardiac or blood vessels, such as arteriosclerosis (arteries hardening);
• high blood pressure (hypertension);
• diabetes – a disease associated with elevated levels of glucose in the blood can affect both blood supply and nerve endings in the penis; it is also known as a neurogenic disorder.

Erectile dysfunction has a direct relationship with cardiovascular disease, so it may be one of the first reasons that would consider the doctor for diagnosis and initial erectile dysfunction treatment. If you do not have a pretty good idea of how to prevent erectile dysfunction command the service of Canadian Health and Care Mall.

Neurogenic disorders:

• multiple sclerosis – a disease that affects body functioning, such as movement and balance;
• Parkinson’s disease – a disease that affects brain coordinating movements of the body, such as a person walking, speaking and writing;
• spinal cord injury or disruption;
• stroke – an acute cerebrovascular accident.

Hormonal disorders:

• hypogonadism – a pathological condition in which the body produces a reduced amount of male sex hormone – testosterone;
• overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) is a disorder in which too much thyroid hormone is produced;
• low thyroid activity (hypothyroidism) – is a disorder when the thyroid gland produces too little hormone;
• cushing’s syndrome is a disease that affects hormone production called cortisol.
• anatomical disorders. Examples of anatomical disorders that can cause ED is Peyronie’s disease.

Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Drugs

In some cases, erectile dysfunction may be caused by certain drugs:

1. diuretics – drugs that are often prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure and kidney disease;
2. antihypertensive agents – drugs such as beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure;
3. fibrates – drugs used to lower cholesterol in the blood;
4. antipsychotics – drugs used to treat certain psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia;
5. antidepressants – drugs used to treat depression and certain types of mental pain;
6. corticosteroids – medicines containing steroids, hormones type;
7. H2-blockers – drugs used to treat stomach ulcers;
8. anticonvulsants – drugs used to treat epilepsy seizures;
9. antihistamines – medicines used to treat allergies, such as hay fever;
10. antiandrogen drugs – used to suppress androgens (male sex hormones);
11. cytotoxic drugs – are used in chemotherapy to prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing.

Consult your physician if you are concerned that the designated medicine is causing your ED. He can assign you another means. In this case arrest of taking assigned drugs can be only with permission of your physician or another qualified expert who is engaged in your care.

Psychological Causes of ED

Watch the video about Psychological Causes of ED:

Possible psychological causes of erectile dysfunction:

• depression – a deep sense of sadness that persists for a long time;
• anxiety – feelings of anxiety or fear.

ED can have both physical and psychological causes simultaneously. For example, if you have diabetes, you may have difficulty with erection, which you will experience. The combination of diabetes and anxiety can lead to ED as well.

Various emotional problems can also affect your erection:

• relationship problems, for example, inability to speak openly about your problems;
• lack of knowledge about sexuality;
• problems with sex in previous sexual life;
• sexual violence in the past;
• new partner.

Other Causes of ED:

• excessive alcohol consumption;
• fatigue;
• drugs abuse such as marijuana, heroin or cocaine.