|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

What Can Cause Impotence?

Impotence, often known as erectile dysfunction, interferes in your sex life. You become unable to perform and can even experience self-esteem issues related to your disorder. Impotence can be caused by physical and psychological disorders, as well as lifestyle choices.

  1. What is Impotence?

    • Impotence is erectile dysfunction (a man’s inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse), problems with reproduction, problems with orgasms or lack of desire.

    Physical Causes

    • Impotence often indicates some other psychical ailment. Adult onset diabetes can be indicated by impotence. Injuries to the groin area can affect sexual performance and even cause impotence. These injuries often occur if you participate in physical activities such as horseback riding or bicycling. Diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (degenerative brain disease) and Peyronie’s disease (connective tissue disorder) can cause impotence. Conditions often related to poor diets, including heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, can lead to impotence.

    Lifestyle Causes

    • Certain choices in your life can lead to impotence. Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol can cause impotence. Extreme obesity has many health complications including the potential for impotency. Using illegal drugs may also contribute to impotency. A sedentary life increases the chances of impotence.

    Psychological Causes

    • Psychological causes of impotence include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, pressures of everyday life and anxiety disorders. If you are depressed or anxious about your performance you may not desire sex or be able to get and maintain an erection. It can be difficult to perform sexually if you are concerned about your job and your finances. These conditions make it difficult to have positive feelings, which decreases your desire for sex and your ability to perform.

    Symptoms

    • The most obvious symptom of impotence is the inability to get or maintain an erection. If this happens only on rare occasions it is not likely a concern. You may be able to get an erection but be unable to ejaculate This is often a symptom of reproductive problems. If you are regularly unable to have sex or don't want to you may be impotent and should seek medical attention.

      Impotence can be embarrassing and lead to or stem from relationship problems but once identified can usually be successfully treated.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles