Causes of erectile dysfunction
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Any interference with the nervous system or the blood circulation can lead to erectile dysfunction.
A reduction in libido (may be due to depression or hormonal changes), can also have an effect as makes it more difficult for the brain to trigger signals.
Possible causes may be physical, psychological or drug induced.
Physical
- Restricted blood flow to the penis (vasculogenic ED) in conditions such as Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Hypertension, Hyperlipidaemia, Diabetes Mellitus.
- Nerve damage (neurogenic ED) in conditions such as Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease.
- Anatomical defects e.g. Peyronie’s disease (deformation of the penis), hypospadias (birth defect affecting the location of the opening of the urethra), prostate cancer.
- Hormonal imbalances e.g hypogonadism, hyper- and hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease.
Psychological
- Depression.
- Anxiety / Stress.
- Fear of sexual failure.
Drug Induced
- Antihypertensives.
- Diuretics.
- Antiarrhythmics.
- Antipsychotics.
- Anti-androgens.
- Antidepressants.
- Ulcer medications (H2 Blockers).