What are the causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Most of erectile dysfunction causes begin, at least initially, with some form of physical condition. However their are a number physical and psychological issues that can cause erectile dysfunction. It is very important that you consult with your physician if you are experiencing any symptoms of erectile dysfunction, there could be a more serious medical condition.

Current estimates of 30 million men in the United States who suffer from Erectile Dysfunction. Don’t let ED put an end to your sex life, get in touch with your physician and consider trying Vacuum Therapy System.

Smoking Cigarettes

The side effect of tobacco use is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries (i.e., atherosclerosis). Because this condition not only causes a dramatic decrease in circulation, but is also a precursor to cardiovascular disease, the evidence is compelling that cigarette smoking is one of the leading erectile dysfunction causes in many men.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Along with their depressant qualities on heart rate and circulation, alcohol and most narcotics tend to result in nerve damage and low testosterone levels, if abused over an long period of time. The result is that men who use these substances regularly experience similar Similar Erectile Dysfunction systems as those seen in diabetes patients, this is further compounded by a reduced libido.

Drug Interaction

Well over 200 commonly prescribed drugs are known to cause or contribute to ED, this includes drugs for high blood pressure, heart medications, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and sedatives. A vast number of over-the-counter medications also can lead to ED.

Surgery & Radiation Therapy

Prostate and or bladder cancer surgery most often require removing tissue and nerves, this increases the risk of erection difficulties. Radical cystectomy (for bladder cancer) and prostatectomy (for prostate cancer) require cutting or removing nerves that control penile blood flow. Very often the erection is affected by these procedures. Radiation therapy for prostate or bladder cancer also may permanently damage these nerves.

Obesity

Undoubtedly this one of the fastest growing causes of erectile dysfunction, obesity impacts sexual function in a multitude of ways. By reducing circulation to the extremities, contributing to heart disease and diabetes, and causing any number of other cardiovascular problems, carrying around too much weight opens up a man to almost every known type of ED cause.

The effects of Aging

Men who have reached middle age are far more prone to suffer from cardiovascular disease, strokes, and angina, Unfortunately they are more susceptible ED. Each of the conditions can weaken blood flow enough to make it difficult for the affected man to achieve an erection.

Low Testosterone

Men who suffer from any kind of compromised function of the testicles generally suffer from low testosterone levels, or “Low T” as it is now popularly called. This condition results in a dramatic reduction in the libido of the affected man and, in many instances, the onset of ED.

High Blood Pressure

Although there is no real medical evidence to prove exactly why high blood pressure affects male sexual function, researchers have found a statistical correlation between the two. One believed link exists in the low levels of nitric oxide produced by men who suffer from hypertension, but the connection may also be related to the daily intake of high blood pressure medication. The beta-blockers present in all hypertension drugs depress circulation as well.

Type I Diabetes

Not only does type I diabetes negatively impact blood flow to the extremities, but it also damages autonomic and sensory nerve endings in the body. The combined role of these two processes in erectile dysfunction causes is to rob men of both the needed blood flow to the penis, and the muscle response to stimulation that are required to gain an erection.

Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Men who suffer from high levels of stress, anxiety and depression often feel distracted, distant, or otherwise detached from their surroundings to one extent or another. These feelings also tend to cause a reduction in the man’s libido and, in many cases, an inability to become mentally aroused by sexual stimulation.

Vascular Disease

Arteriosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, causes a reduction in blood flow throughout the body and can lead to impotence. It is associated with age and accounts for 50% to 60% of impotence in men over 60.