Causes of Erectile DysfunctionWhat are the various impotence causes?Erectile dysfunction causes can be broadly divided into three types – psychological causes, physical causes, and habitual causes. Psychological causes Stress is one of the most common factors that lead to erectile problems in men. Whether it is due to excessive work, financial insecurity, marital problems, or any other reason, stress can be really bad for your mental and physical health. Performance anxiety is another important factor that causes erectile problems in men. Once a man is not able to achieve an erection due to whatever reason, he immediately starts thinking that it might happen again. This causes a deep fear of sexual failure, which subsequently leads to erectile dysfunction. Depression is one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction. It affects a person to such an extent that he has trouble achieving an erection even if he is very healthy and has no sexual problems whatsoever. Guilt is also a factor that plays an important role in erectile deficiency. If a man feels that he is not able to satisfy his partner, his self esteem is lowered considerably and he develops a guilty conscience. Physical factors Vascular diseases top the list of erectile dysfunction causes. High cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure restrict blood flow to various organs in the body. When the penis does not get enough blood, a person is not able to achieve an erection. Diabetes is known to cause artery damage that can make it difficult for a person to achieve an erection. Studies show that at least 30% to 50% of men with diabetes are likely to experience some degree of erectile problem in their life. Kidney disease can cause certain chemical changes in the body that can lower a person’s sex drive. An injury to the spinal cord, pelvis, bladder, or the penis can result in nerve damage and cause erectile problems. Hormonal imbalances are one of the causes of erectile dysfunction as well. Particularly, testosterone, thyroid, and prolactin imbalances can increase the risk of erectile deficiency significantly. Surgery for diseases like prostate cancer or bladder cancer usually involves the removal of nerves and tissues in and around the affected area. This can lead to erectile problems as well. In most cases, however, such problems are temporary. Habitual causes Smoking is one of the main erectile dysfunction causes. Prolonged smoking affects blood circulation and restricts blood flow to the penis. Studies show that smoking increases the risk of impotence significantly. The important thing to remember here is that passive smoking or secondhand smoking is equally dangerous. Excessive alcohol consumption is also a risk factor for erectile problems. While moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, can be good for health, excessive consumption can lead to impaired testosterone production and cause impotency. Drug abuse is one of the causes of erectile dysfunction in men. Recreational drugs like cocaine, methadone, heroin, and barbiturates can cause damage to the blood vessels and lead to erectile problems.
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