Major causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Men
Causes of erectile dysfunction
In the US, more than 50% of men have erectile dysfunction. ED is a male sexual dysfunction where a man is unable to achieve and maintain sufficient erection needed for sexual intercourse. If you are a person suffering from ED, don't worry, as you are not alone.
Many people wonder what can be causes for erectile dysfunction. Most men get recommendations from doctors as soon as they start facing the problem. However, first, it is recommended that the cause of ED be determined and a solution for it be found.
Get to know about the Erectile dysfunction causes and risk factors here in this blog.
Know What Causes erectile dysfunction(ED)
There are multiple causes of ED. The top 8 ED causes are described below.
Endocrine disorders
Endocrine disorders such as type 2 diabetes are a significant cause of erectile dysfunction. More than 50% of men with diabetes suffer from ED as well. Just within ten years of having diabetes, a man started getting erection problems.
When your blood sugar levels are too high, it causes damage to the nerves. Nerves are responsible for proper sexual stimulation. High blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels, which help blood flow to the penile region.
There are medicines available to treat ED, but drugs don't work in all men with diabetes. Only proper sugar level control can help you prevent ED in such cases. As a result, different ED treatment options are recommended for patients suffering from ED due to diabetes.
Related Article: Can Diabetes Cause Erection Problems?
Pelvic surgery
The other cause of erectile dysfunction is pelvic surgery. As we all know, nerves are mainly responsible for proper erection. So, the nerves that are responsible for erection lie near the prostate. Prostate cancer surgery primarily contributes to ED.
The surgical process may damage the nerves. Further nerve-sparing procedures are carried out to cure the ED problems, but it takes around a year or two to get treated. Even with this procedure, some men may not observe any effectiveness. Even radiation therapy during prostate cancer can lead to sexual problems like ED.
Vascular disease
In more than 70% of men, ED problems persist due to the existing coronary artery disease. The penis arteries are small as compared to other body parts. Due to coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis affects the arteries in the penis.
Cardiologists can find out whether you have erectile dysfunction due to vascular disease. Medicine may not always work to treat ED, which is caused by vascular conditions. A healthy lifestyle such as quitting smoking and drinking, exercising, and more may help you.
Neurogenic causes
Neurogenic problems might also lead to erectile dysfunction. The condition occurs due to nerve damage that affects the signaling required for erection in your body. Some of the most seen causes of Neurogenic erectile dysfunction include spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and pelvic surgeries. During such conditions, your doctor may advise treatment involves addressing the underlying condition, ED medications like PDE5 inhibitors, vacuum erection devices, penile implants, and therapy to manage psychological aspects.
Mental disorders
A person with mental disorders such as depression, stress, and anxiety suffers from erectile dysfunction faster. Mental health conditions are a significant concern for ED. Mental health has a strong connection with erectile dysfunction.
Sexual desires start from the head but not from the body. For proper sexual intercourse, both physical and psychological factors are important. Mental disorders may lead to imbalanced brain chemicals.
As a result, it interferes with the signals sent from the brain to the penis. It harms sexual satisfaction as well. When someone is unable to perform well in bed, they feel depressed and stressed. This increases ED symptoms. Also, having performance anxiety may impact your sexual performance and responses during intimacy. These factors may progressively affect your sexual desire and worsen your Ed symptoms.
Related Article: ED due to Psychological Cause
Sleep disorder
Sleep disorders mainly include sleep apnea, which is a major cause of ED. Sleep apnea drops the testosterone levels of the body. Testosterone levels are responsible for erection. As a result, when testosterone levels drop down, it contributes to ED.
Sleep apnea has a direct impact on sexual life. Your doctor can only help you get rid of such problems. If you observe any problems while sleeping, report them immediately to the healthcare provider.
High blood pressure
Chronic high blood pressure or hypertension is also a cause of erectile dysfunction. More than 80% of men suffer from ED due to hypertension. Men with high blood pressure experience double ED problems than men with normal blood pressure.
High blood pressure levels damage the blood vessels. These blood vessels are responsible for erection. As a result, arteries are unable to supply your penis to work as it should. This lacks the blood flow to the penis. Hence, men are unable to achieve erection.
Also, it has been seen that men with hypertension have low levels of testosterone. Hence, low testosterone levels are also responsible for erectile dysfunction. Medicines to control BP levels can be used to prevent ED in these cases.
Medications
Last but not least, the medicine you take to treat certain diseases can also be one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. ED has been seen as the side effects of several other drugs. You will notice experiencing ED problems as soon you start taking medicines.
The most common medicine that causes ED are antidepressants, testosterone blockers, high blood pressure medicines, diuretics, pain killers, and many more. If you are experiencing ED, make sure to discuss all the drugs you are taking.
Related Article: Drugs that cause Erectile dysfunction(ED)
Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction:
When it comes to ED, treatment depends on the underlying causes, as addressing them can help fix ED. Your doctor will examine your medical history and the severity of your erectile dysfunction symptoms to determine the most suitable treatment for you. For vascular erectile dysfunction, they might suggest effective and accessible medical treatments like prescription drugs available for ED. Additionally, other methods might help improve blood flow to the penis, aiding in maintaining an erection. However, during psychogenic erectile dysfunction treatment, you may be advised on psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), counseling, and sex therapy.
Final words
So, these are some of the well-known causes of erectile dysfunction. Your doctor will monitor your health correctly to find the cause of ED. After that, you will be advised to continue a treatment that seems best and practical in your case to fix erectile dysfunction in you.
