Erectile dysfunction

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/DS00162/DSECTION=causes.....Courtesy. Mayo clinic 

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health problems can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction. For instance, a minor physical problem that slows your sexual response may cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction
In most cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include:

• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome, a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Low testosterone
• Peyronie's disease, development of scar tissue inside the penis
• Certain prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
• Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
• Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction
The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement. A number of things can interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. These include:

• Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
• Stress
• Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

As you get older, erections may take longer to develop and may not be as firm. You may need more direct touch to your penis to get and keep an erection. This isn't a direct consequence of getting older. Usually it's a result of underlying health problems or taking medications, which is more common as men age.

A variety of risk factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction. They include:

• Medical conditions, particularly diabetes or heart problems.
• Using tobacco, which restricts blood flow to veins and arteries. Over time tobacco use can cause chronic health problems that lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Being overweight, especially if you're very overweight (obese).
• Certain medical treatments, such as prostate surgery or radiation treatment for cancer.
• Injuries, particularly if they damage the nerves that control erections.
• Medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines and medications to treat high blood pressure, pain or prostate cancer.
• Psychological conditions, such as stress, anxiety or depression.
• Drug and alcohol use, especially if you're a long-term drug user or heavy drinker.
• Prolonged bicycling, which may compress nerves and affect blood flow to the penis, can lead to temporary erectile dysfunction.

Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications resulting from erectile dysfunction can include:

• An unsatisfactory sex life
• Stress or anxiety
• Embarrassment or low self-esteem
• Marital or relationship problems
• The inability to get your partner pregnant