10 Causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) which is also known as impotence is a condition in male adults of sexual age that causes them to not be able to get or maintain an erection of the penis long enough for sexual satisfaction with their partner.

This condition has been reported to happen for most men (older adults) at least at some point in their life.

However, many who seek treatment usually get a good relief after seeing a doctor and making some lifestyle modifications.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Although it takes longer to get around and have a full-blown erection as you age, the condition is usually blamed on age and psychological problems that come with aging. But recent reports have also shown that physical problems also contribute to most of the long-lasting Ed cases in persons over the age of 50.

1. Endocrine diseases

This has to do with the complications that occur when one is suffering from any endocrine diseases like diabetes.

In such conditions, the disease may lead to nerve damage, and this can lead to loss of sensations around the penis.

When this happens, it will make it difficult to the person to feel any sensation during sex and thus the erection will suffer.

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2. Neurological and nerve disorders

This has to do with nerve issues that affect the brain’s ability to communicate properly with the reproductive system and this can prevent one from achieving a good erection.

Example of the neurological disorders that can affect lead to ed includes:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Brain or spinal tumors
• Stroke
• Temporal lobe epilepsy

It is also possible that if you have had any prostrate surgery in the past or had a treatment for organs in pelvic area, that you may experience nerve damages that can result in impotence.

Reports have also shown that long distance bicycle rider can also experience a temporal condition of impotence, due to prolonged pressure on the buttocks and the genital areas.

3. Medications

There are certain medications that have been linked to ED because they affect blood flow in the bod.

However, this is not to say that you should stop any medications that is said to affect blood flow, rather, first consult with your doctor for proper advice and treatment.

Some of the known drugs that are known to cause impotence includes:

• Alpha-adrenergic blockers
• Bet-blockers
• Chemotherapy medications
• antihistamines
• Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines
• CNS depressants such as alprazolam (Xanax), Codeine and Diazepam (Valium)
• Diuretics
• Synthetic hormones, including leuprolide (Eligard)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) like fluoxetine (Prozac) and Paroxetine (Paxil)

4. Cardiac related conditions

This is any condition that affects the performance of the heart by limiting its ability to pump blood at the required rate around the body.

Also, cases of Metabolic syndrome, when a person is having a high blood pressure, High insulin and cholesterol levels, this can also affect erection.

This is very crucial, because for the penis to achieve an erection, blood has to be pumped into the blood vessels.

So, if for any reason the blood supply vessel is clogged by high cholesterol or even if you suffer from High Blood Pressure.

This may also be a problem of Diseases of the heart or blood vessel atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction

5. Lifestyle factors:

Sexual excitement is a big driver of erection, so to achieve a good erection you must be go through a phase of sexual excitement. This is an emotional response to the excitement of sexual experience.

However, if you have an emotional disorder, it may affect the response to sexual excitement which will in turn affect your erection.

This can take the form of you going through depression, anxiety or stress. These are conditions that can put in a state of hopelessness, fatigue and feeling of sadness.

Having these emotions can cause ED because your mind is not settled on sexual excitement.

However, in most cases, you can still achieve an erection when you masturbate, when sleeping but you may not be able to achieve it during an actual intercourse.

6. Tobacco and alcohol:

The use of Tobacco and excess alcohol can also pose a huge a risk of Erectile Dysfunction. Alcohol abuse can disrupt the production of testosterone, which can have an adverse impact on your sexual life. Alcohol has also been found to affect sperm structure and mobility.

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7. Pornography Addiction

Addiction to pornography is a huge issue that can cause ED, this is so because men who view pornographic materials tend to have a very high standard of what a female partner should look like and how they should act.

However, if in real intercourse with a female they fail to see those expectation, it tends to affect their libido and thus lead to a low sex drive and an Erectile dysfunction.

8. Physical conditions:

This can be in the form of a trauma or injury to the penis or spinal cord

9. Sleep disorders

10. Obesity