Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Recently Answered

• QCan blood pressure medications cause erectile dysfunction?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A St Francis Medical Center answered

  Medications used to treat high blood pressure can contribute to erectile dysfunction. One of the first things doctors do when evaluating men for erectile dysfunction is to try to make some adjustments in those medications. They may adjust some of those medications if they can without compromising a man's high blood pressure control.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

• QWhat type of hormonal problems lead to erectile dysfunction?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Many hormonal problems can lead to erectile dysfunction. Among the most common is a deficiency in testosterone. Low testosterone can be caused by injury to the testicles (either from an accident or from cancer treatment), cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, kidney disease and obesity.

  Some genetic conditions can reduce testosterone production, and so can some medications. Another cause of erectile function can be too much of the hormone prolactin. This is most often caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland. Also some kinds of thyroid disease may disrupt hormones in a way that leads to erectile dysfunction.

  See All 2 Answers
• QCan young men get erectile dysfunction?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Ogden Regional Medical Center answered

  Erectile dysfunction (ED) generally affects men older than 65, but younger men can get it too. If it happens at a younger age, ED may be a warning sign of another health issue. If you have no obvious risk factors and no other health problems, like diabetes, your doctor will run laboratory tests and may order heart tests. The same process that affects the arteries in the penis affects the ones in your heart, too. If something is wrong and it is not diagnosed and treated, you have a fairly high risk over the next four to five years of having some type of cardiac event.

  This content originally appeared on http://blog.mountainstar.com/.

  See All 2 Answers
• QWhat medications can cause erectile dysfunction?

  4 Answers

  A

  

  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  There are many medications that may cause erectile dysfunction (ED); one-quarter of erectile dysfunction cases may be caused by medications. Of the 12 most commonly prescribed medications, 8 of them list erectile dysfunction as a possible side effect. If you have erectile dysfunction, your doctor will review all prescription and non-prescription medications in addition to asking about other risk factors, such as heart disease, smoking or obesity.

  See All 4 Answers
• QCan high blood pressure cause erectile dysfunction?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Ogden Regional Medical Center answered

  High blood pressure (hypertension) damages the arteries that feed the penis. Two chambers full of sponge-like tissue run the length of the penis. This tissue is filled with muscle, veins and arteries. Brain and nerve impulses cause the chambers to relax, and blood flows into the arteries. When the veins or arteries are damaged, blood can’t travel to the penis properly. This makes getting an erection difficult.

  High blood pressure can be caused by poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking.

  This content originally appeared on http://blog.mountainstar.com/.

  See All 2 Answers
• QCan diabetes cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?

  6 Answers

  A

  

  A Taking Control Of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) answered

  About 1 in 5 American men have erectile dysfunction (ED) -- the inability to maintain an erection so that you can have sexual activity. If you are a man with diabetes, you are also more likely to have a lower sex drive, which increases your chance of having ED. A study of men aged 55 to 75 years old who had type 2 diabetes found that more than 70% of them had ED.

  Diabetes causes a variety of health problems, including ED. In fact, ED can be the first sign of diabetes. It can also be the first sign of heart disease and other illnesses. If you are having problems getting or keeping an erection, it’s important to tell your doctor so you can be checked for potentially serious illnesses. Also, erectile dysfunction can cause low self-esteem and lead to depression because of the effect it may have on intimate relationships.

  Men, their partners, and their doctors should have open conversations about ED. Most of the time, it can be corrected. Just as medical science has delivered many treatments for diabetes—such as pills, injections, and inhalers—it has delivered many for ED.

  If treatment is penile implant surgery, find a qualified surgeon and know your costs. Remember, if your surgery is not covered by insurance, look for surgery packages as a way to lower expenses.

  See All 6 Answers
• QCan drinking alcohol cause erectile dysfunction?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Yes, excessive alcohol intake can affect sexual function. Erectile dysfunction is more common in people who abuse drugs and alcohol. Lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking may help improve sexual function. Chronic heavy alcohol consumption can affect erectile ability through altered hormone metabolism and nervous system involvement.

• QDoes depression cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Men who are depressed often experience loss of libido (sexual desire) and have trouble getting and maintaining an erection. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also a common side effect of some medications used to treat depression. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you think you are depressed, or are taking an antidepressant and have experienced loss of sexual desire or have problems with sexual function.

• QDoes radiation therapy for prostate cancer cause erectile dysfunction?

  3 Answers

  A

  

  A The Mount Sinai Health System answered

  Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a known side-effect of any therapy for prostate cancer. With radiation therapy initially erections are preserved, however, over time symptoms of ED may worsen as the damage to the nerves and blood vessels necessary for a sustained erection become apparent.

  In contrast, with nerve sparing radical prostatectomy (surgery) erections tend to be worse initially and improve over time. With our Smart-technique, potency is maintained in 80-85 percent of men. Overall 30-65 percent and 55-70 percent of patients receiving brachytherapy or “seeds” or external beam radiation, respectively, remain potent. Although it is impossible to be certain of sexual function following, it is important to discuss this possibility with your physician in order to have a thorough understanding of the possible side effect of therapy and the treatments available for erectile dysfunction.

  See All 3 Answers
• QDoes surgery for prostate cancer cause ED?

  2 Answers

  A

  

  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Surgery for prostate cancer can cause erectile dysfunction. Nerves that carry signals from the spine to the penis run very close to the prostate. Sometimes during surgery to remove cancer in and around the prostate, these nerves are damaged or destroyed. Although it is usually possible to avoid the nerves during surgery, surgeons may remove the nerves intentionally for fear that they may contain cancer cells that have spread from the prostate. Removing the nerves may prevent the cancer from spreading.

  See All 2 Answers