This information has been reprinted courtesy of the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center (www.erectile-dysfunction-treatment.org) for personal use only.

There are many erectile dysfunction causes

Many males take getting an erection for granted. But for at least 10% of all men, getting an erection is a major challenge.

If you are one of these men, you may have erectile dysfunction (ED), often called impotence. Erectile dysfunction occurs when blood flow or nerve impulses to the penis are weakened or blocked.

Most erectile dysfunction has a physical cause. Heart disease, diabetes and Peyronie's disease can damage blood vessels and nerves. Treatment for prostate cancer can cause damage. In a few cases, erectile dysfunction has a psychological cause.

In addition to the major physical causes of erectile dysfunction, there are other causes such as spinal cord injuries, smoking, alcohol, MS, vascular disease and more. Every man should know about these erectile dysfunction causes.

Every man should also know that doctors -- specifically urologists -- have a much better understanding of erectile dysfunction today than just a few years ago. They are successfully treating more men with erectile dysfunction than ever before.

If you think you have ED, see your doctor as soon as possible. And if you do have erectile dysfunction, remember that the chances are very good that you can get successful treatment.

Here is a summary of other erectile dysfunction causes:

Spinal cord injuries

A spinal cord injury can reduce or stop nerve impulses from the brain to the penis. These nerve impulses are necessary for the blood flow you need to get an erection.

Depending on the injury, spinal cord damage may cause erectile dysfunction ranging from partial to complete.

Other neurological erectile dysfunction causes

Groin and pelvic injuries may harm nerves and cause erectile dysfunction. For example, falling on the crossbar of a bicycle can damage blood vessels that supply the penis. Some studies have linked regular bicycling to erectile dysfunction. It is thought that the bicycle seat compresses the path of blood to and from the penis.

Other studies have also linked water sports, gymnastics, and horseback riding to pelvic injuries that can cause erectile dysfunction.

Treatment for prostate cancer, especially radical prostatectomy, often damages or destroys the nerves that control erections.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy treats prostate cancer by destroying cancer cells. Alternatives for radiation treatment include cryotherapy, radioactive seed therapy, brachytherapy, and extended beam radiation therapy (EBRT).

Radiation therapy can cause impotence. It can damage arteries that carry blood to the penis. It can also cause scar tissue near the prostate that restricts blood to the penis.

Erectile dysfunction caused by radiation therapy may not occur immediately as it often does with prostate surgery. The problem may occur months or even years after treatment.

Psychological erectile dysfunction causes

About 10% of erectile dysfunction cases are psychological. The cause is in the mind and not the body.

Depression, guilt, worry, stress, and anxiety can come from job, marital, financial or other problems. They can cause a man to lose his sexual drive and suffer erectile dysfunction. This can produce even more anxiety. The result can be chronic sex problems-often called "performance anxiety."

Psychological impotence is highly treatable. A urologist may recommend treatment from a psychologist, psychiatrist, sex therapist, or marriage counselor.

Vascular disease

Arteriosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. It reduces blood flow throughout the body. It also can slow blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to get or maintain an erection.

Hardening of the arteries accounts for 50%-60% of erectile dysfunction in men over 60. Risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

Sometimes the veins that keep blood in the penis during an erection are damaged. The veins can't hold blood in the penis long enough for sexual intercourse.

Smoking can lead to any of the factors above. It may be the most significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction caused by hardening of the arteries.

Smoking

Doctors specializing in erectile dysfunction causes and treatment say that smoking is a reason why many men become impotent when they are middle-aged and older.

Smoking can damage the arteries that carry blood to the penis. High blood pressure and a high-fat diet can make the problem worse by causing more damage to the arteries.

A male smoker with high blood pressure is seven times more likely to have ED than other men. Impotence related to smoking can also affect men as young as 30 who have smoked for a long time.

Drug-related erectile dysfunction causes

Over 200 prescription drugs may cause some degree of impotence as a side effect. The most common are diuretics and blood pressure drugs. Tranquilizers, antidepressants, sedatives, other psychiatric drugs, and many over-the-counter medicines can also cause erectile dysfunction.

(Never stop taking your medication or change dosage unless your doctor tells you to.)

Long-term use of alcohol, nicotine and illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can also lead to erectile dysfunction.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS). In MS, the body's immune system attacks the outer nerve sheath. It causes scarring in random spots throughout the CNS. In the image to the left, notice the "demyelization" (lesions) in the brain.

The scarring interferes with nerve impulses. Impulses meant to cause erection may not reach the penis. This can cause erectile dysfunction.

Deficient male hormone

The primary male hormone is testosterone (molecule shown to the right.) After age 40, a man's testosterone level gradually declines. By age 70 the level normally has fallen by about 30%. While this level is "normal" for a man of 70, it would be low for a younger man. About 5% of men that doctors see for erectile dysfunction have low testosterone levels. In many of these cases, low testosterone causes lower sexual interest, not erectile dysfunction.

Almost all erectile dysfunction can be successfully treated

There are many erectile dysfunction causes. But you don't have to live with ED. Many treatments are available. Doctors are becoming better informed about ED and the wide range of treatment choices. Doctors (especially urologists) are using modern treatments more successfully.

Viagra is the best-known drug for treating erectile dysfunction. It is successful for millions of men. But the drug fails for up to 40% of men.

When Viagra fails, there are other treatments available, including penile implants, vacuum devices, drug injections, and urethral suppositories.

Implants are among the most effective treatments for erectile dysfunction. Implants have been enhanced and perfected over a period of 29 years. Nearly 300,000 men have had a penile implant. Clinical studies show a very high degree of satisfaction with the devices.

The best treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on many things. These include a man's health and tolerance for the treatment. Work with your doctor (usually a urologist specializing in the treatment of erectile dysfunction) and your partner to determine the best treatment for you.

This page revised March 2005

Copyright 2005 Erectile Dysfunction Information Center. All rights reserved. This site contains information about erectile dysfunction (impotence) for men with ED and their partners. Nothing in this site may be reproduced without written authorization from the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center.