Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Medical Problems

Erectile dysfunction can be due to damage to the arteries. There can be ED due to diabetes which can affect 35 to 50 percents of people. There can be problems in achieving erection because of nerve damage and vascular disease due to diabetes. Many people find it as undetected in the treatment of underlying problems. ED can be due to chronic alcoholism, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, vascular disease and atherosclerosis. Hypertension, smoking, endocrine disorders, peyronie disease, penis problems, prostate or colon surgery, and depression can be some other causes of ED. You should ask your medical care provider during your visit if you have any of these problems.


Medication:

It can be due to side effects of some drugs as underlying cause. The drugs taken for ulcers, high blood pressure, anxiety, obesity, depression, heroin addiction, tuberculosis, prostate cancer, insomnia, and glaucoma can hamper your sexual functioning. You should stop these medications if you suspect ED while taking these medications. There can be problems with erections due to following prescriptions.

High blood pressure medications

  • Alpha adrenergic blockers like Esimil, Ismelin, Flomax, Cardura, Minipress, Hytrin, Minizide and Uroxatral.
  • Medications containing methyldopa like Aldomet, Aldoclor and Aldoril.
  • Andrenergic stimulants like Combipres, Catapres, Wytensin and Tenex.
  • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors like Capoten, Lotensin and Vasotec.
  • Beta blockers like inderal, Lopressorm Corgard, Sectral, Toprol, Tenormin and Visken.
  • Calcium channel blockers like Cardene, Dilacor, Norvasc, Vascor and Adalat.
  • Diuretics like Bumex, Midamor, Aldactone and Mykrox.
  • Medications for irritable syndrome and ulcers which can cause ED including Pro Banthine, Tagamet, Centrax, Limbitrol, Valium and Xanax.
  • Antidepressants causing erectile dysfunction including MAO inhibitors, Parnate, Nadril
  • Serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft, Prozac
  • Tricyclic antidepressants like Anafranil, Etrafon, Endep and Pemlor etc.
  • Potency is affected by many antipsychotics including Haldol, Clozaril, Lithane, Lithotabs, Prolixin, Stelazine and Trilafone etc.
  • There can be ED due to Desoxyn which weight loss medication.
  • There can be impotence or erectile dysfunction due to treatment for different disease including Antabuse for alcoholism, Doral for insomnia, Methadone for Heroin addiction and glaucoma medications.

 Alcohol and nicotine:

Many people think that there can be food sexual experience with stiff drink but actually it is not. Alcohol can reduce the ability to get erection. There are harmful effects of alcohol on the body which can cause health problems. It can cause problems in maintaining erections. You can have lots of benefits if you cut down alcohol intake. There are effects of nicotine on erection as well. It has its interference with nerve pathways. There can circulatory problems and heart disease as well with smoking which reduce blood supply to the penis causing problems for erection.

Age:

ED can be due to aging process as well. There can be increased risks of potency and erectile dysfunction with increasing age. It is because lots of health problems like diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure are related to the aging.