Cause of Erectile Dysfunction

The most common cause of erectile dysfunction is damage to the nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, or fibrous tissue; the cause of erectile dysfunction, however, could be anything that disrupts the sequence of events leading to an erection. Lifestyle choices, surgery, medications, and psychological factors can also be a cause of erectile dysfunction.

 
 

Cause of Erectile Dysfunction: An Overview

The cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be anything that disrupts the precise sequence of events that produces an erection. This sequence of events includes:
 
  • Nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, and area around the penis
  • Response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa.
     

Cause of Erectile Dysfunction: Specific Items

Specific causes of erectile dysfunction include:
 
  • Other medical conditions
  • Lifestyle
  • Surgery
  • Injury
  • Medicine
  • Psychological factors.
     

Cause of Erectile Dysfunction: Other Medical Conditions

The most common cause of erectile dysfunction is damage to the nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues -- often resulting from a disease. Diseases that may be a cause of erectile dysfunction can include:
 
These medical conditions account for about 70 percent of erectile dysfunction cases. Studies show that between 35 percent and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience erectile dysfunction.
 
Hormonal abnormalities, such as not having enough testosterone, can also be a cause of erectile dysfunction.
 
(Cause of Erectile Dysfunction Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD