The 6 Common Causes of Impotence

What is impotence? Impotence is a condition that consistently affects a person’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection, or the ability to achieve ejaculation . It is a form of erectile dysfunction (ED). There can be several factors that contribute to impotence . These include both emotional and physical disorders. According to the Merck Manual, an estimated 50 percent of men ages 40 to 70 experience some erectile dysfunction at one time or another.

The risk of impotence increases with age. It has also been observed that men with more education are less likely to experience impotence , likely because they have healthier lifestyles on average. Impotence often has a negative effect on one’s sex life, and can cause additional stress, depression, and low self-esteem. Understanding the most common potential causes can help a person identify why they may be experiencing the condition.

Endocrine Disorders:  The body’s endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood, and more.
Diabetes is an example of a  Common Causes of Impotence because it is a disease of the endocrine system that can cause a person to feel impotent.

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to use hormonal insulin. One of the side effects associated with chronic diabetes is nerve damage. This affects penile sensations. Other complications associated with diabetes are impaired blood flow and hormone levels. Both of these factors can contribute to impotence.

Neurological and Nerve Disorders:  Various neurological conditions can be one of the Common Causes of Impotence . because Nerve conditions affect the brain’s ability to communicate with the reproductive system. This can prevent a person from getting an erection.
Neurological disorders associated with impotence include:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Brain or spinal tumors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Brain stroke
• temporal lobe epilepsy

People who have had prostate surgery can also be one of the Common Causes of Impotence . because it causes nerve damage that causes impotence .
Long-distance cyclists can also experience temporary impotence . This is because repeated pressure on the buttocks and genitals can affect nerve function.

Taking Your Medications:  Taking certain medications can be one of the Common Causes of Impotence . because it affect blood flow, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. A person should never stop taking a medication without their doctor’s permission, even if it is known to cause impotence .

Related Heart Conditions:  Conditions that affect the heart and its ability to pump blood can also cause impotence . Without sufficient blood flow to the penis, a person cannot achieve an erection.
Atherosclerosis, a disease that causes blood vessels to become clogged, can cause impotence . High cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension) are also associated with an increased risk of impotence.

Lifestyle Factors and Emotional Disorders:  To achieve an erection, a person must first go through what is known as an arousal phase. This phase can be an emotional response. If a person has an emotional disorder, it affects their ability to become sexually excited.
Depression and anxiety are associated with an increased risk for impotence . Depression is a feeling of sadness, loss of hope, or helplessness. The related fatigue

Depression can also cause impotence:  Performance anxiety can be another cause of impotence . If a person has not been able to achieve an erection in the past, he may fear that he will not be able to achieve an erection in the future. The person may also find that he cannot get an erection with a certain partner. Someone with erectile dysfunction related to performance anxiety may be able to have full erections when they masturbate or when they sleep, but he is not able to maintain an erection during intercourse.
Abuse of drugs like cocaine and amphetamines can also cause impotence .. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can affect a person’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection as well. See your doctor if you suspect you may have a substance abuse problem.

Treatment:  Treatments are available for impotence , including prescription medications, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes.
Prescription Drugs There are a variety of medical treatments that can be used to treat impotence . Prescription treatments and other medical interventions to help treat impotence include:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Staxyn, Levitra)
• testosterone replacement
• blood vessel surgery
• psychological counseling

Natural Remedies:  For those who want to avoid prescription medications, there are a variety of natural remedies known to help treat impotence .
Some natural or alternative remedies for impotence include:

• Acupuncture
• Ginseng
• pomegranate juice

Before using any natural remedies, make sure that you consult your doctor first.

Lifestyle Changes: Whether a person’s impotence has a physical or emotional cause, there are many cases where lifestyle changes can reduce their struggle with erectile dysfunction. According to the Mayo Clinic, these lifestyle and behavior changes include:

• Smoking and drinking less
• Strengthen communication in a romantic relationship
• reduce anxiety
• Exercise more and follow a healthy diet