Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual problem in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB).
Several factors contribute to Erectile Dysfunction causes.
ED may persist from a psychological or a physical cause.
In this article, we’ll discuss some Erectile Dysfunction causes you might not be aware of.
We will also talk about the different ways that can help treat ED.
Table of Contents
What is Erectile Dysfunction
Source: Canva_proErectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB) to get or keep an erection.
A person with ED may have trouble keeping an erection long enough for sexual intercourse.
Such individuals experience problems with their sex life.
They might not be able to please their partner physically.
This inability to please their partner sexually could cause problems in their relationship.
Please note that Erectile Dysfunction does not affect your ejaculatory time.
This means if a person has ED, they will have trouble getting an erection and not ejaculation.
If you ejaculate early, you might have another sexual problem called Premature Ejaculation (PE).
According to a survey by Science Direct, ED and PE may exist mutually in individuals.
Consult your doctor and discuss your symptoms to diagnose the underlying sexual disorder.
Erectile Dysfunction Causes
There can be multiple factors that contribute to ED.
Depending on what triggered them, these causes are either physical or psychological.
Some individuals may have a combination of both psychological and physical factors.
For example, a physical injury could slow down one’s sexual response.
According to an NCBI study, a physical injury could make a person nervous.
This may cause trouble getting an erection, affecting their sexual performance.
Let’s learn about these psychological and physical causes of ED in detail.
Let’s find out more about these mental and physical causes that may develop ED.
Psychological causes
Most of the time, an underlying psychological illness contributes to ED.
Getting an erection is a complex task and involves several physical measures.
Sexual arousal is essential to get and hold an erection enough for intercourse.
According to Mayo Clinic, the brain plays an essential role in initiating sexual arousal, especially in men.
Common Erectile Dysfunction causes that are psychological in nature are:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Poor communication
- Relationships issues
- Other mental conditions
Usually, a psychological cause triggers ED that might last temporarily.
Temporary ED may last a few months to years, depending on its cause.
However, one must get ED symptoms for at least six months to label it as temporary ED.
See a doctor if you experience ED symptoms while having an existing mental condition.
Once your mental illness is under control, your ED symptoms will usually improve.
Physical causes
Many people may develop ED symptoms due to some physical cause.
According to NIDDK, a physical injury or an underlying disease is the most significant physical cause of ED.
Low Testosterone levels also contribute to ED significantly.
Below mentioned are a few medical conditions which may cause Erectile Dysfunction:
- Atherosclerosis
- Diabetes
- Enlarged Prostate
- Heart condition
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Peyronie’s Disease
- Sleep disorders
Some physical factors other than a medical illness may also cause ED.
Such factors include:
- Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
- Consuming Tobacco
- If you are on treatments for Prostate cancer
- Obesity
- Surgeries or injuries in or around the pelvic area or Spinal Cord
- Taking certain prescription medications
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential to regulate the physical causes of ED.
Discuss healthy practices that may help regulate these symptoms with your doctor.
Peyronie’s Disease involves the development of scars within penile tissues.
Medications that cause Erectile Dysfunction
Source: PexelsA person may develop ED as a side effect of other medicines they might be on.
It is one of the most significant causes of Erection Dysfunction.
Several prescription medicines may increase your risk of developing ED.
Prescription drugs that might cause Erectile Dysfunction include:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Dieuretics
- High blood pressure medicines
- Histamine H2 receptor Angonists
- Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Discuss with a doctor if you take any of these medicines or any other prescriptions.
Your doctor may change the medicine or its dosage to reduce the likelihood of side effects.
Treatments for ED
If you get trouble getting or holding an erection, it might be an ED symptom.
Experiencing these symptoms often may increase your risk of developing ED.
Consult a doctor to confirm if you have Erectile Dysfunction.
After a proper diagnosis, they will determine the cause of ED in your case.
Depending on the cause, the doctor will suggest a treatment for ED.
Most of the time, physicians may recommend medicines to treat ED.
The doctors commonly prescribe ED medicines like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra.
In rare cases, medicines may not be enough to treat ED.
Doctors may recommend surgical options or penile devices for such individuals.
Takeaways
Experiencing erection troubles frequently may be a sign of developing ED.
There might be multiple reasons, as several factors contribute to Erectile Dysfunction causes.
These causes may trigger by a physical or psychological factor.
To stop ED symptoms from worsening, you must treat these causes quickly.
If you get trouble getting or maintaining an erection, consult your doctor.
After diagnosis, the doctor will recommend a suitable treatment.
Prescription ED medicines are often the first-line treatment for ED.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common causes of Erectile Dysfunction in men?
Psychological factors like Depression and Anxiety are common Erectile Dysfunction causes.
Excessive stress and Relationship issues may also cause ED.
Physical causes include obesity, alcoholism, medicines for other conditions, and pelvic surgeries.
Making changes to your lifestyle and adopting suitable treatments may help treat ED symptoms.
Why do drugs cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect of many prescription drugs.
Even though these medicines are used to treat a disease or condition, they can affect a man’s hormones, nerves, or blood flow.
This action can cause ED or make it more likely to happen.
What are the most common medications that cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Some medications most likely to cause ED symptoms are:
Anti-Androgns
Antidepressants
Anti-Epiletics
Antihypertensives
Antipsychotics
GnRH Agonists
Immunosuppressants
Other recreational drugs
Talk to your doctor if you already take any of these medicines.
If you stop taking these medicines or change the dosage, it may help to control the symptoms.
What illegal drugs cause Erectile Dysfunction?
The use of illegal drugs like alcohol and tobacco is a major cause of ED symptoms.
Other drugs like marijuana, nicotine, opiates, cocaine, and barbiturates may also cause ED in men or AMAB.
