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Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction) Awareness

5 Common Causes of Impotence

Understanding impotence

Impotence occurs when you are unable to achieve an erection, maintain an erection, or ejaculate on a consistent basis. It’s used interchangeably with erectile dysfunction (ED). Several factors can contribute to the condition, including both emotional and physical disorders.

According to the Urology Care Foundation, an estimated 30 million Americans experience ED. The risk of impotence increases with age.

A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Medicine noted the risk of impotence increases with age. It’s even higher in men who have also been diagnosed with one or more cardiovascular risk factors.

Impotence often has a negative effect on a your sex life, and it can cause depression, additional stress, and low self-esteem.

Understanding the most common potential causes can help you identify why you may be experiencing the condition.

1. Endocrine diseases

The body’s endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood, and much more.

Diabetes is an example of an endocrine disease that can cause you to experience impotence. Diabetes affects the body’s ability to use the hormone insulin.

One of the complications associated with chronic diabetes is nerve damage. This affects penis sensations. Other complications associated with diabetes include impaired blood flow and hormone levels. Both of these factors can contribute to impotence.

2. Neurological and nerve disorders

Several neurologic conditions can increase the risk for impotence. Nerve conditions affect the brain’s ability to communicate with the reproductive system. This can prevent you from achieving an erection.

Neurological disorders associated with impotence include:

If you’ve had prostate surgery, you can also experience nerve damage, resulting in impotence.

Long-distance bicycle riders can experience temporary impotence. Repeated pressure on the buttocks and genitals can affect the function of the nerves.

3. Taking medications

Taking certain medications can affect blood flow, which can lead to ED. You should never stop taking a medication without your doctor’s permission, even if it’s known to cause impotence.

Examples of medications known to cause impotence include:

4. Cardiac-related conditions

Conditions that affect the heart and its ability to pump blood well can cause impotence. Without enough blood flow to the penis, you can’t achieve an erection.

Atherosclerosis, a condition that causes the blood vessels to become clogged, can cause impotence. High cholesterol and hypertension are also associated with increased risks for impotence.

5. Lifestyle factors and emotional disorders

To achieve an erection, you must first go through what’s known as an excitement phase. This phase can be an emotional response. If you have an emotional disorder, it’ll affect your ability to become sexually excited.

Depression and anxiety are associated with increased risk for impotence. Depression is a feeling of sadness, loss of hope, or helplessness. Fatigue related to depression can also cause impotence.

Performance anxiety can also cause impotence. If you haven’t been able to achieve an erection in the past, you may fear you won’t be able to achieve an erection in the future.

You may also find that you can’t achieve an erection with a certain partner. If you’ve been diagnosed with ED related to performance anxiety, you may be able to have full erections when masturbating or when sleeping, but unable to maintain an erection during intercourse.

Abuse of drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can also cause impotence. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can affect your ability to achieve or maintain an erection as well. See your doctor if you suspect that you may have a substance abuse problem.

Treatment

Treatments are available for impotence, including medical interventions, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes.

Medical interventions

There are a variety of medical interventions that can be used to treat impotence. Prescription treatments for impotence include:

You may also want to consider vascular surgery (to improve blood flow in the penis) or penile implant surgery.