Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, occurs when the penis is not able to achieve an erection when sexually stimulated.
An erection occurs when the penis receives electric signals being sent from the brain when you are sexually aroused. As this happens, blood rushes to the penis and remains there in an environment that is very similar to a sponge.
If you suspect that you are at risk of having this disease, it will be helpful for you to know its possible causes.
1. Psychological factors contribute a lot to the incidence of erectile dysfunction. Depression, anxiety, and things that are going on in your mind all contribute to the incidence of impotence. Thoughts that constantly bother you such as problems about money, work, children and relationships, and other nagging thoughts that clutter your mind can interfere with your ability to achieve erection.
2. Neurogenic diseases are types of illness that can cause erectile dysfunction. These diseases originate from the nerves and nerve tissues of the body. If you get sick of this type of disease, your ability to achieve erection is adversely affected as the penis is one body organ that contains nerve endings making it extremely sensitive to changes that affect the nerves and nerve tissues of the body.
3. The medications you are currently taking can be the cause of your impotence. Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs are intended to help keep your mind and body calm and relaxed. The calming and relaxing effect of these medications can adversely affect your response and diminish the excitement that you are supposed to feel when you are sexually stimulated.
4. Old age may contribute to impotence. Old people experience impotence due to several factors that accompany the natural process of aging such as lack of energy, weakness and less interest for sex. However, unlike other similar disorders, erectile dysfunction can affect younger males, too.
5. Diabetes and multiple sclerosis may also cause erectile dysfunction. Diabetes and multiple sclerosis are two debilitating diseases which affect the functions of the nervous system and the body's normal blood flow and can greatly interfere with your ability to achieve erection. Diabetes can affect the normal flow of blood to the penis while multiple sclerosis, which is a disease of the central nervous system can interfere with the transmission of signals from the brain to the penis during sexual stimulation.
6. Smoking may interfere with the body's normal blood flow and cause impotence. This claim may be true only for certain people because not all smokers experience impotence and not all those who experience impotence are smokers. However, smokers who are currently experiencing impotence may benefit from not smoking to allow nicotine-free blood to circulate and flow freely and subsequently help you achieve erection.
7. A major surgery may also contribute to impotence. A person who has just undergone a major operation may experience temporary impotence due to physical weakness, lack of strength and low interest for sex. Who would be aroused amidst post-operation pain and discomfort? However, this lack of interest for sex after operation should only be temporary otherwise, there could be another underlying cause for the impotence.
8. Problems affecting the kidneys can be another cause of erectile dysfunction. A male patient who constantly undergoes dialysis and other procedures related to his illness cannot expect to achieve erection in the midst of discomfort, of taking various medications, and of worrying about his condition, his family and finances.
