Causes of Impotence

There are different impotence causes, both psychological and physiological, that contribute to the onset of the condition in men. Put simply, impotence occurs when the sequence of events that produces an erection is interrupted. The cause of the interruption is likely to be the impotence cause.

This sequence of events involved in producing an erection starts with nerve impulses in the brain which travel down the spinal column and to the area around the penis. This is followed by a response in the muscles and veins, the fibrous tissues and the arteries.

Common impotence causes:

Medical conditions - specific diseases and medical conditions are prominent impotence causes. Diseases which are most likely to cause erectile problems are the ones that cause damage to the veins, arteries, and fibrous tissues and smooth muscle in the penis area. Diseases which can cause this damage include kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, diabetes and neurological diseases.

Lifestyle - excessive alcohol can be one of the major causes of impotence, as can smoking cigarettes, as the nicotine found in cigarettes promotes the narrowing of arteries. A lack of exercise and poor diet can lead to poor blood circulation or related conditions like hi or low cholesterol, which can affect the flow of blood needed to produce an erection.

Surgery - different kinds of surgery may have side effects and recovery processes that can damage the nerves and arteries in the penile region. Bladder and prostate surgery are the most common surgical impotence causes and have drastic effects on the penis and can damage the tissues beyond repair.

Medication - Medication, especially medicines which control your blood pressure, can directly affect your erectile performance and are common causes of impotence. There are several kinds of medications which can affect your erection; these include appetite suppressants, anti-depressants, blood pressure pills, tranquillizers and antihistamines.

Psychological factors - Between 10% and 20% of impotence causes are psychological factors. An unhappy marriage, stressful job or poor living environment can be stressful, cause anxiety, guilt, depression and a fear of sexual stimulation. These can all make it difficult to achieve and to sustain an erection.

Research has produced a large spectrum of different stats and estimations of how many men suffer from this condition. Some websites claim that 1 in 10 men suffer from it; others say 30% of all men suffer from the condition. More recent American research has said that between 15 and 30 million American men suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction.

What can be concluded is that this condition is associated with age, with men over 40 experiencing the condition more than younger men, although that is not to say that impotence in young men is an unusual occurrence.

There are treatments available for erectile dysfunction, some more invasive that others. Before looking for treatments however, it’s important to diagnose your condition correctly. Take a note of your impotence symptoms and contact a doctor who will be able to advise you on what the most like erectile dysfunction causes are and can advise what the best treatment for you is. If you are concerned about speaking to a doctor in person, you can contact our medical team for advice.