What are the physical causes of erectile dysfunction?
Men whose erectile dysfunction is of a physical origin often experience a gradual onset of erectile failure which tends to occur with all sexual activities. Common physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:
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Diabetes
Erectile dysfunction can affect most men with diabetes; with some studies reporting that up to 64% of diabetic men are likely to develop problems at some stage of their lives. Diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high, which can damage the function of muscle fibres within blood vessels and vascular tissues, including the erectile tissue of the penis, and of the small nerves and arteries throughout the body.
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Hypertension (high blood pressure)
People with high blood pressure are more likely than average to develop atherosclerosis (or arteriosclerosis), which is commonly known as ‘hardening of the arteries’. Atherosclerosis causes arteries throughout the body to develop thicker walls and become narrower inside, so reducing the flow of blood through them. If this develops in the arteries going to the penis, then it will be more difficult for the penis to fill with blood.
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Smoking
Smoking is the other major factor that increases the development of atherosclerosis; therefore smokers have an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
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Alcohol and drug abuse
Excessive alcohol or drug consumption by either partner in a relationship will almost certainly be one of the causes of sexual dysfunction. Alcoholism and illicit drug addiction both have an adverse effect upon libido and long-term alcoholism is accompanied by various hormone problems, among which include reduced testosterone output.
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Hormone imbalance
Testosterone plays a role in maintaining sexual desire and affects nerve signalling within the brain and nervous system. However, a lack of testosterone alone is very rarely the sole cause of erectile dysfunction. In such cases, the man will usually notice a marked reduction in sexual desire and an absence of night-time or early morning erections.
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Venous leak
The condition is a loss of blood pressure in the penis; blood needs to be trapped within the cavernosal bodies of the penis for an erection to be maintained. Venous leakage occurs when the penile veins do not constrict efficiently during an erection, which results in blood ‘leaking’ to the periphery of penile tissue.
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Neurological disease
Neurological diseases cause sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system in which the function of many nerves throughout the body can become impaired. Likewise, a stroke or a spinal cord injury can result in erectile dysfunction.
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Chronic organ failure
Severe organ failure, such as kidney and liver failure can cause erectile dysfunction. In the event these bodily functions fail, waste products accumulate in the blood and vascular system, which is usually accompanied with increased blood pressure.
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Side effects of other medication
Medication can induce erectile dysfunction as an unwanted side effect (e.g. some medicine used for depression can induce ED, as it influences your state of mind). Your doctor may be able to recommend an alternative treatment that is less likely to cause ED, so it is always worth mentioning what medications you are taking to your doctor.
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Surgery / physical injury
Any condition in which the nerve or blood supply to the penis is damaged can potentially cause erectile dysfunction. It is possible to damage sensitive nerves, tissues or blood vessel systems after injuring the genital area or pelvis. Surgery to the lower abdomen or pelvis can also carry the risk of unavoidable damage to nerves.
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