Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Historically, when an individual consulted his doctor concerning the potential causes of erectile dysfunction he was told there were no known physiological answers concerning his erectile dysfunction symptoms. Today, a generation of research has resulted in significant advances in both the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction and the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Physicians now understand that approximately eighty-five percent of erectile dysfunction causes are attributable to physiologic conditions while only fifteen percent of erectile dysfunction causes are attributable to psychological or mixed origin (both psychological and physiological causes).

The following represent some of the more common causes of erectile dysfunction:

Vascular disease as a cause of erectile dysfunction - vascular disorders including arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), hypertension, hypercholestremia and other conditions, which interfere with the blood, flow to the penis represent one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction. Additionally, "venous leakage" also contributes to poor erections. This condition occurs when the penile veins are unable to constrict efficiently during an erection. When these veins "leak" blood escapes to the periphery resulting in a poor erection. Smoking has also been shown to be a significant cause of erectile dysfunction (see below).

Diabetes as a cause of erectile dysfunction - approximately fifty percent of men with diabetes (insulin dependent) experience some degree of erectile dysfunction after the age of fifty-five. Diabetes results in poor circulation and/or peripheral neuropathy. When the nerves are involved sexual stimuli are not transmitted appropriately to or from the brain and erectile dysfunction develops.

Prescription Drugs That May Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Prescription drugs may cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. Some two hundred known drugs fall into this category including the following:

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  Antihypertensives drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction:

  1. Beta-blocker drugs e.g. Atenolol, Propanolol and Tenorium.
  
  2. Diuretics drugs e.g. HydroDiuril and Lasix.
  
  3. Ace Inhibitor drugs, Calcium Channel Blocker drugs e.g. Vasotec, Lotension, Cardizem, Norvasc all have been shown to periodically cause erectile dysfunction in some patients.

  
  Additional drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction:

• Antidepressant, Antipsychotic drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction - almost any label drug in this class of drugs can result in erectile dysfunction e.g. Prozac, Elavil, Zoloft, Thorazine, Haldol.
   

• LH-RH Analogs, Antiandrogen drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction - e.g. Lupron Depot®, Eulexin, Nilandron®, Casodex®, etc. These drugss are used in the treatment of prostate cancer. They function by decreasing the production of testosterone in the testes and adrennal glands. The decrease in testosterone often results in erectile dysfunction.
   

• Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy - are also significant contributors to erectile dysfunction causes. These drugs/treatments are used in the treatment of cancer.

Please Note: Many other drugs in a variety of classes can periodically cause erectile dysfunction. If you are taking a prescription drug and/or over-the-counter drug, regularly, please consult with your physician prior to altering the dosage or discontinuing the drug

Additional Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

Substance abuse as cause of erectile dysfunction - the chronic use of cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, steroids etc. often results in erectile dysfunction, as well as a decrease in desire. Excessive tobacco use can also attribute to erectile dysfunction by accentuating the effects of other risk factor such as vascular disease or hypertension. The nicotine present in tobacco products causes the smooth muscle in the wall of small blood vessels to contract, resulting in a less blood flow to the region followed by erectile dysfunction.

Neurological diseases as a cause of erectile dysfunction - such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries, long-term effects of diabetes (mentioned above) can also result in the disruption of the normal sequence of events necessary for an erection to occur.

Deficiencies in the Endocrine System as a cause of erectile dysfunction - low levels of testosterone or thyroid hormone can interfere with the stimulation process necessary in the erection process. Excessive production of prolactin by the pituitary gland may contribute to decreased levels of testosterone resulting not only in a lack of performance but desire, as well. Diabetes once again enters the scenario as it is classified as an endocrine disorder.

Radical Pelvic Surgery as a cause of erectile dysfunction - surgical procedures involving the prostate gland, bladder or colon may interfere with the nerves involved in the erectile response. Radiation therapy for cancer may also affect the erectile process.

Psychological issues as a cause of erectile dysfunction - is usually diagnosed when no physical causes can be defined. Pure psychological erectile dysfunction usually occurs suddenly without warning as opposed to physical erectile dysfunction that may gradually develop over years.

Some common causes of psychological erectile dysfunction are as follows:

• Performance anxiety is one of the most common causes of psychological erectile dysfunction. When a man feels pressured to achieve or maintain an erection, he will commonly become anxious and nervous, especially when in a sexually demanding situation. Stress increases the body's production of catecholamines such as adrenaline and nor- adrenaline, which act as erection inhibitors. The release of these inhibitors further contributes to failure resulting in more anxiety. Therefore, the cycle begins, increased stress resulting in an increase production of catecholomines that further inhibits the erectile process.

• Depression is another cause of psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, many of the popular antidepressant drugs have side effects, which include erectile failure (for more information see the list of prescription drugs, listed above, that may cause erectile dysfunction as a common side effect).

• Anatomical Deviation of the Penis as a cause of erectile dysfunction - Peyronies Disease, may also cause erectile dysfunction. This condition usually develops from an inflammatory process and results in fibrous scaring of the penis (the cause of this process is not yet entirely understood). However, when an erection does occur, there is a bending of the penis secondary to the scar tissue. This curvature may interfere with erectile capacity and/or ejaculation. Many men with Peyronies Disease will report painful erections.

Still have unanswered questions concerning the various causes of erectile dysfunction or the various treatment options for erectile dysfunction?


If you still have questions concerning the different erectile dysfunction causes outline above, simply complete the Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Form for confidential communication with licensed physicians specializing in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Ask The Doctor

In order to initiate confidential communication concerning your erectile dysfunction problems please complete the following form: First Name: Email Address: Confirm Email Address: Questions for the doctor: Additional Comments: Simply complete the above form and within twenty four hours a licensed physician will confidentially reply to your questions concerning your treatment options for any erectile dysfunction problems. Please Note: Questions concerning erectile dysfunction submitted to the doctors via this format will remain confidential and are subject to all patient/physician privacy laws.