What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
Many different conditions can lead to erectile difficulties. Most of the causes of ED are health problems requiring treatment to help prevent more serious complications than ED:

High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage arteries that supply blood to the penis.


Diabetes injures blood vessels and nerves that control erection.


Alcohol and drug abuse can cause ED by damaging blood vessels and nerves that control erections deadening.


Some drugs, such as certain antidepressants or hypertension can cause ED drugs. Your doctor may be able to change your drug treatment. Never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor.


Bad habits such as smoking, excessive, and avoiding exercise can also contribute to erectile dysfunction.


Anything that is bad for your heart is also bad for your sexual health.


An injury to the spinal cord can cause ED by interfering with nerve signals.


Treatments for prostate cancer, including radiation and removal of the prostate, can damage the nerves that control erection.


The diseases that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, can also lead to problems with impotence.


A small number of cases, ED is attributable to a decrease in the level of the male hormone testosterone.


Doctors used to believe that most cases of ED resulted from mental or emotional problems. We now know that most ED has a physical cause. But depression or anxiety and worry can still cause ED. And ED from physical causes can lead to depression and anxiety, making physical ED worse.


A person should not assume that ED is part of normal aging. It is very likely an underlying cause.