Men who are suffering from the physical causes of impotence will probably notice a gradual onset of erectile dysfunction, rather than an immediate failure to gain and erection.
There are a number of physical causes of impotence which relate to a breakdown or damage to the sequence of events that enable you to achieve an erection. From the arteries and muscles to the surrounding tissues of the penis the most common causes are :
- Vascular disease :
This disease is the most common cause of male impotence (or erectile dysfunction) affecting the blood vessels and restricting the flow of blood to the brain, heart and the penis. This includes atherosclerosis, hypertension and high cholesterol.
- Kidney disease :
Can cause chemical changes in the body affecting hormones, energy level, circulation and nerve responses.
- Diabetes :
Can be a cause of impotence due to the nerve and artery damage it causes, making erectile dysfunction more likely.
- Neurological (nerve and brain) diseases :
All of the associated diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinson's or a stroke will have a significant affect as nerve impulses play a vital role in achieving and maintaining an erection.
Of course not all ED is caused by medical illnesses or conditions. Other physical causes of male impotence might include :
- Surgery :
Around the area of the penis conditions such as prostate cancer could damage the tissue and nerves vital to achieving an erection. This could be temporary or at worst permanent.
- Venous leak :
The veins should keep blood in the penis to facilitate an erection, however excessive drainage from the penis will lead to erectile failure.
- Heavy smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse :
All of these will damage the blood vessels and/or restrict flow of blood to the penis.
- Hormone abnormalities :
Natural imbalances in testosterone for example may hinder erections.
- Drugs :
The side effect of some prescribed drugs may cause erectile dysfunction too.
As you can see, this is not a simple point and identify in most cases. As well as physical causes, you also need to consider the pyschological causes.
