There are several factors that can lead to impotence. It may not be possible for us to take you through all in this one article, but let’s look at a few causes which are more prominent that the others.

Psychological Causes

Nervousness, depression, stress, guilt and anxiety are some feelings that can interfere with sexual performance in men. And, it tends to be perpetuated in the form of a vicious cycle. If a man is unable to achieve an erection once, he may begin to worry about it. Confidence in his own masculinity may be undermined and he may become apprehensive and anxious about his sexual performance in the future. This thought process can affect his libido, which, in turn, will make him more depressed stressed. Unless this cycle is broken, it may cause chronic issues during sex, eventually leading to erectile dysfunction.

Physical Causes

There are certain physical causes that can lead to erectile dysfunction. In the preliminary stages of diagnosis, your doctor is going to try and eliminate some of the common physical conditions that can cause this problem. These include high blood pressure, heart diseases, low hormonal level, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and prostrate cancer. Apart from this, erectile dysfunction can be caused by the following conditions:

• Kidney failure
• Liver cirrhosis
• Hemachromatosis (presence of too much iron in the blood)
• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer disease
• Parkinson disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Multiple Sclerosis

Dietary factors, deficiency of zinc, lack of exercise, excessive use of tobacco, chain smoking, and blood diseases can also cause erectile dysfunction.

Medication

Very often, medicines that are prescribed for the treatment of other medical disorders can lead to erectile dysfunction. Some of the common medications associated with this condition are antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiulcer drugs, antihypertensives, medicines to lower cholesterol levels and treat prostrate cancer.

If you suspect that some of the prescribed drugs or medicines are causing erectile dysfunction, it is advisable to talk to the physician before you discontinue use yourself.

Surgical Causes

Surgery in the pelvic region, spinal chord or brain can lead to some arteries and the getting injured, causing erectile dysfunction as a result. Some of the procedures that have been known to cause this problem are aortofemoral bypass, proctocolectomy, abdominal perineal resection, Cryosurgery of the prostate, radical prostatectomy, Cystectomy, and radiation therapy for treatment of prostate, bladder, colon, or rectal cancer.

Hormone Imbalances

While hormonal imbalances are responsible for fewer than 5% instances of erectile dysfunction, it is worth a mention. Deficiency of the hormone testosterone can cause lack of libido and the inability to have an erection. However, this is an extremely rare condition, occurring infrequently. Apart from this, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can also result in erectile dysfunction.

The Erectile Process

In order to understand what Erectile Dysfunction is and what causes it, you need to understand how an erection occurs. An erection is a culmination of several complicated processes that work within a man’s body.

Most people believe that an erection begins and ends with the rigidity and flaccidity of the penis. However, there are several other components that are involved in an erection. These components include the central and peripheral nervous system, hormonal components, psychological factors, and the vascular components (components that facilitate the circulation of blood).

When a man is sexually stimulated, chemicals are released from the nerve endings of the penis, causing the muscles to relax in the erection bodies of the penis. As the muscle relaxes, the blood flow to the erection bodies increases and the penis becomes full and rigid. Interruption in any of the phases of erection can cause Erectile Dysfunction, where the man is unable to either achieve an erection or retain it for a considerable period of time to enjoy satisfactory sexual intercourse.

A Blow to the Self Esteem

Understandably, patients of erectile dysfunction can be quite devastated by their lack of prowess in the sexual arena. A man’s self-esteem and masculinity depends, to a large extent, on his sexual capabilities, and this condition can leave them with feelings of insecurity and, even, vulnerability.

Apart from the stress and depression that is caused by Erectile Dysfunction, men also feel that they lack the ability to keep their partners happy, and begin to withdraw from intimate relationships. This is a moment of anguish not only for him but also for his partner as he may appear distant and aloof, and seemingly uninterested in the relationship. This can put the relationship under great strain, as men may wallow in the feeling that they are no longer appealing to the opposite sex.

Dealing with the Effects of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction is a condition that affects the partner of the patient in as many ways as the patient himself. She also goes through similar feelings of despair, frustration, and insecurity. Therefore, the first step in dealing with the effects of impotence is proper communication between both partners. Guilt and lack of confidence can be countered if both people sat down and talked.

Recognizing the problem is essential because once you do that, you are in a position to decide what should be done next. Researching the underlying causes and possible forms of treatments is the next step, after which you should meet your physician who will rule out various possible causes and prescribe the right kind of treatment.

Remember, impotency or erectile impotence can worsen if you allow negativity to get to you. Therefore, stay free of stress, stay encouraged and know that this condition can be treated, given a little bit of time and patience.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction can be broadly classified into two categories – surgical and non surgical treatments.

Surgical treatments for Erectile Dysfunction, or ED, is usually suggested when other forms of therapy or treatment have failed to deliver satisfactory results. They include penile implants and vascular reconstructive surgery. Non-surgical treatments of erectile dysfunction include the following: external vacuum devices, penile injection therapy, and intraurethral pellet therapy.

Intraurethral Pellet Therapy

The Intraurethral pellet therapy is an alternative for people who are uncomfortable with injecting themselves. In this procedure a small pellet or suppository is inserted into the urethra – the canal used for the excretion of urine and semen. Side effects of this treatment may include pain and slight bleeding.

Penile Implants

Penile Implants, or placement of prosthetic devices within the penis, are known to be extremely effective. There are two kinds of penile implants – semi rigid rod implants and inflatable implants. Semi rigid rod implants require a relatively simple surgery and there are also fewer complications involved. However, it is difficult to conceal it as there is an erection all the time. The inflatable implants are more natural as they have the ability to recreate the process of rigidity-flaccidity. The expense of this implant may be a deterrent to a few. However, both semi rigid rod implants as well as inflatable rod implants have a success rate of 70-80%.

External Vacuum Devices

External vacuum devices are quite successful, and they are known to be safe and reliable. They have a success rate of 60-90%. In spite of this, men do not use this device for too long, as it interferes with the spontaneous act of lovemaking.

Vascular Reconstructive Surgery

Vascular reconstructive surgery is yet another option available to people suffering from erectile dysfunction. This surgery can do one of two things

• Reconstruct the veins inside the penis thereby increasing the flow of blood to the penis, facilitating an erection.
• Block the drainage of blood from the penis, allowing the patient to maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Vascular reconstructive surgery restores the process of natural erections without the use of any prosthetics. However, not many people choose this treatment as it is extremely expensive and there are very few medical institutions that have the ability to conduct this surgery. Additionally, this surgery is not known to be effective in the long run, and there have been several cases of relapse.

Penile Injections

In penile injection therapy, a certain drug, or a mixture of few drugs is injected directly into the penis. It is one of the most effective ways to achieve and sustain an erection. If there is no defect in the vascular structure of the penis, injecting drugs into the penis guarantees results most of the time. Keep in mind that the injection should not be taken more than three days a week and the erection will last for approximately 90 minutes.

Statistics on Erectile Dysfunction

As mentioned before, Erectile Dysfunction is an extremely prevalent condition among men, more so than we would suspect. Statistics claim that one out of every ten men in the world has erectile dysfunction, and in the United States alone, there are more than 30 million men suffering from impotency.

According to surveys done by the Sexual Dysfunction Association in UK, 10% of the men in UK have experienced sexual dysfunction, either temporarily or permanently, at some point of time in their life. The likelihood of getting erectile dysfunction increases with the progression in age. 39% of the patients were in their forties, whereas over 60% of them were in their late sixties. Even though Erectile Dysfunction is prevalent among older men, it is also seen to be rising among men in their twenties.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

There are several causes that lead to Erectile Dysfunction. These can be both psychological and physiological. However, there are a few factors that are more responsible for causing ED than others. For instance, vascular diseases like arteriosclerosis, which reduces the flow of blood in the body, accounts for over 50% of the cases of ED in men who are in their sixties. Diabetes can be yet another cause of ED as it was noticed that 50% of the men diagnosed with diabetes ended up with this condition, some within 10 years of this diagnosis.

Chain smokers are also more susceptible to Erectile Dysfunction. It was found that men who smoked more than 1 pack of cigarettes a day stood 50% higher chances of impotency than non smokers in the same age limit.

Treatment

There are several treatment options for Erectile Dysfunction, which include non surgical treatment like sex therapy, medication, suppositories, vacuum devices and surgical treatments as well.

Among drugs, the more effective ones are Viagra®, Levitra®, and Cialis®. Viagra is known to be effective in about 75% instances of ED. 83% of patients with Erectile Dysfunction arising from spinal injuries responded well to this drug as did 43% of patients with Diabetes mellitus.

Self-injection with prescribed drugs is yet another form of treatment. About 70% of the men declared that they were happy with the results, as an erection from these injections typically lasted from about half an hour to two hours.

A small percentage of patients of ED also go in for vascular reconstructive surgery. This treatment is best for young men whose main cause for Erectile Dysfunction is local arterial blockage. Nearly 75% of the men claimed that the process restored normal function of the penis.

Erection is a chief process in sexual intercourse, without which, intercourse is not possible. Thus, the failure or absence of sexual intercourse involves problems centered on that of erectile dysfunction in men. Since sexual intercourse requires the active participation of both the man and his partner, dysfunction affects both. It is thus important to note the feelings of women regarding impotence.

Such women have witnessed changes in their partners and relationship, which include insecurities in men, lack of intimacy, loss of interest on the part of women, etc. Due to these changes and lack of honest and intimate communication, the relationship suffers, sometimes irreversibly.

When the first instance of problems are encountered due to erectile dysfunction, both partners tend not to discuss it, refusing to talk to one another eventually. This widens the gap between them till they opt for a separation to get peace of mind.

Communication Is Necessary

In order to save a relationship, important issue such as impotence or other sexual intercourse related difficulties must be openly discussed without hesitation or fear of mockery or rejection. In fact, rejection is the chief reason why men prefer not discussing such a problem with their partners. Many men feel stressed when they are unable to meet the demands of partners and even withdraw from intimate situations or activities. This type of change in men in fact, causes women to pretend that they have lost interest, as well. The actual problem, on the contrary, is deliberately ignored, prolonging and worsening the situation and eventually ruining the relationship.

The best way to handle the problem is to be communicative and open about problems related to erection. In most cases, the woman tends to be very understanding and supportive. It also helps a great deal to talk about each other’s preferences and expectations, even making it easier for the two to understand each other’s requirements and respond accordingly.

Women should also think of impotence as a health issue and learn about its treatment and how they can help one’s partner recover. Communication is all the more important in cases where recovery is not an option any more. Men in such a situation understandably feel useless and hopeless and need to be reassured. If they realize that they have their partner’s full support despite the whole ordeal they will feel assured that such support is an unwavering one.