Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence is defined as being when a man is not capable of producing an erection which is sufficiently hard to achieve penetration. This can be caused by a number of factors which are discussed below.

Reasons for Erectile Dysfunction

In order for a man to achieve an erection it is important that the nerves leading to the penis are intact and working properly. There must also be adequate blood circulation and there must be a sexual stimulation signal from the brain. If any of these three essential ingredients are compromised in any way, an erection will not occur or the quality of the erection will be impaired.

Around 5% of men who are 40 years old suffer from long term erectile dysfunction which requires treatment. When we study the over 65s, the percentage jumps up dramatically, with some estimates suggesting that around 25% of men in this age range experience long term erectile problems. Throughout life, many men will experience occasional erectile problems which can be caused by a number of factors, such as tiredness, alcohol consumption and drug abuse. Some people will also experience performance anxiety with a new partner.

Specific Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Prolonged erectile dysfunction can be a marker for underlying problems so we always recommend that men get a check up with their GP to rule out any deep rooted problems. The problems could be physical or psychological or a combination of the two.

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction are usually the result of a disease or injury which has resulted in one or more of the three essential factors necessary for an erection (set out above) being interrupted or damaged.

Diabetes

Diabetes can cause nerve and arterial damage which can in turn make achieving an erection difficult in this group of men. It is difficult to say exactly what percentage of men with diabetes will suffer from erectile dysfunction but some estimates have put this figure at around 75%. This seems a little high to us but we do see a lot of patients who are suffering from diabetes also experiencing problems with their erectile function. In most cases, the prescribing of an oral PDE5 inhibitor medication will resolve the problem.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can have an impact on our chemical make up, including hormones and nerve function. This can in turn affect our ability to achieve an erection.

Neurological Diseases

Any disease that interrupts the signals that the brain sends out can have an impact on erectile function. Such diseases include Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke or multiple sclerosis.