Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Symptoms

Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms and Causes

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It’s also sometimes referred to as impotence. Occasional ED isn’t uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. Often, erectile dysfunction is a sign that you may have an underlying cardiovascular health issue. It can also be caused by psychological issues, such as anxiety or depression. If you have erectile dysfunction, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a psychological or physical problem. In fact, your doctor might tell you that you have erectile dysfunction for either or both of these reasons.

Causes

Several things can affect a man’s ability to get or maintain an erection, including:

• Cardiovascular disease

atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a common cause of erectile dysfunction. In a 2005 study of 92 men who were being treated for heart disease, almost half of the participants reported having erectile dysfunction.

• Diabetes

Diabetes can cause nerve, blood vessel, and muscle damage that results in erectile dysfunction. Diabetes is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. If you have diabetes, your doctor will work with you to manage the disease and any other health issues you may have.

• Obesity

Being overweight can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. In a 2007 Italian study, researchers found that men with erectile dysfunction who were overweight or obese were more likely to have low levels of the hormone testosterone. In addition, obesity can lead to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, which can decrease blood flow to the penis and lead to erectile dysfunction.

• Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. It’s also linked to being overweight or obese. In a 2006 study of more than 1,000 men with erectile dysfunction, researchers found that men with metabolic syndrome were more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men without it.

• Low testosterone

Testosterone is the hormone that’s responsible for the changes that occur during puberty. It also plays a role in a man’s sex drive and erectile function. Low testosterone can cause erectile dysfunction. In a 2012 study of men with low testosterone, researchers found that men with low testosterone were more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men with normal testosterone levels.

• Sleep disorders

Sleep apnea, a condition in which you stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep, can cause erectile dysfunction. In a 2009 study, researchers found that men with sleep apnea were more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men without sleep apnea.

• Alcoholism and other substance abuse

Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse can cause erectile dysfunction. In a 2014 study of men with erectile dysfunction, researchers found that men with substance abuse disorders were more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men without substance abuse disorders.

Psychological causes of ED </