Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Psychological and physical causes of erectile dysfunction

Although psychological factors often contribute to erectile dysfunction problems in all age groups, physical causes become more common with age. In general, psychological causes have a more sudden impact on erectile dysfunction than problems caused purely by physical factors, which develop more progressively.

The proportion of patients with erectile dysfunction varies with each cause, whether psychological or physical. ED is reported in as many as 40% of patients with ‘hardening of the arteries’; in 52% with hypertension (high blood pressure); in 61% with ischaemic heart disease; in 64% with diabetes; and in as many as 90% of patients with severe depression.

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• Relationship difficulties and conflict
• Stress and tiredness at work or at home
• Sex / performance anxiety
• Depression and bereavement
• Unresolved sexual orientation

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Smoking
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Hormone imbalance
• Venous leak
• Neurological disease
• Chronic organ failure
• Side effect of other medication
• Nerve damage
• Pelvic injury or abdominal surgery

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