Impotence Causes

Impotence (or erectile dysfunction) is the common term for the condition when men are unable to achieve or maintain erection long enough in order to have sexual intercourse. There causes of impotence may be either physiological or psychological, or both.

Some medicines can also cause impotence. If that is the case and you are currently using the medication, your physician may be able to help you by changing the particular medication.

Physiological Impotence Causes

The most common physiological causes of impotence are:

• Brain or spinal-cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Peyronie's disease.
• Some arterial disorders such as low blood flow to the penis, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension.
• Radiation therapy to the testicles.
• Hormonal disorders such as low level of testosterone or pituitary gland tumor.
• Some types of prostate or bladder surgery.
• Excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
• Obesity.
• Aging.

Nowadays there are many options for erectile dysfunction treatment even when the causes are physiological, so if you have penile impotence you should seek help immediately. Start by talking to your doctor or seek alternative treatments for impotence.

Psychological Impotence Causes

The most common psychological causes of impotence are:

• Mental disorders such as clinical depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, substance abuse, etc.
• Feeling nervous about sex (often as a result of previous episode of impotence or bad sex experiences).
• Stress.

If the causes for your impotence are psychological and you decide to seek therapy, it may be a good idea to include your sex partner in it. This can turn out to be extremely effective and may reduce anxiety about having an erection.