Excessive use of certain medications, depression, smoking, alcoholism, trauma, decreased libido or hormonal diseases are some of the causes that can lead to the development of erectile dysfunction, a problem that prevents men from having a satisfactory sexual relationship.
Erectile dysfunction is the difficulty or inability to have or maintain an erection, in at least 50% of attempts to have sexual contact. In some cases, what may happen is that the erection is not rigid enough for penetration.
The main causes already identified for such problems are
Some medications used to treat chronic problems, such as high blood pressure or depression, can have a long-term side effect that leads to the development of erectile dysfunction. Some of the most common cases occur with prolonged use of antidepressants, antihypertensives or antipsychotics, but others can also cause this problem.
For example, if you have been using a drug for a long time, it is best to consult the instructions to determine if it can have this effect or then consult the doctor who prescribed it.
In addition to negatively affecting the entire body, dependence on alcoholic beverages or cigarettes also affects the genital area, preventing the blood flow needed to initiate and maintain an erection.
For example, men who smoke or overconstete alcoholic beverages over the years may have more difficulty getting an erection and may end up developing erectile dysfunction.
Problems that cause hormonal changes, such as hypothyroidism or diabetes, for example, can affect the body’s overall metabolism and sexual functioning, contributing to erectile dysfunction. To better understand how diabetes can affect sexual abilities.
In addition, there are cases where the human body has more difficulty producing sex hormones, such as testosterone, that decrease libido and can cause difficulty getting an erection.
Psychological illnesses, such as depression or anxiety disorders, often cause negative feelings such as fear, anxiety, nervousness, and dissatisfaction, which eventually make men feel uncomfortable in intimate contact.
Many drugs, such as alcohol or cigarettes, also cause long-term erectile dysfunction, not only because of decreased circulation in the genital area, but also because of the psychological changes they cause, which leads us to distance ourselves from the real world.
Some of the drugs most commonly related to erectile dysfunction include cocaine, marijuana or heroin, for example. See other negative effects of the drug on the body.
Excess weight can cause erectile dysfunction in two different ways. First, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, that hinder blood flow and prevent a satisfactory erection, and then also decreases the production of the hormone testosterone, which is primarily responsible for libido in humans.
Therefore, weight loss and regular exercise are an excellent way to combat erectile dysfunction, especially when overweight. Learn how to easily calculate your ideal weight.
Although more rare, the development of erectile dysfunction can also occur due to small deformities of the penis, such as fibrosis, cysts or anatomical changes, which prevent the passage of blood.
Therefore, if there is no other cause that can justify dysfunction, it is advisable to consult a urologist to assess the anatomy of the sexual organ.
Many neurological problems have a very high risk of causing erectile dysfunction in humans. This is because nerve problems can make it difficult for the brain to communicate with the sex organ, making it difficult to get an erection.
Some neurological problems that appear to be related to the onset of erectile dysfunction include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors or multiple sclerosis, for example.
When there are symptoms such as difficulty having or maintaining an erection, flaccid erection, reduced size of the sexual organ or difficulty maintaining intimate contact in certain sexual positions, it is recommended to consult your doctor, so that you can identify the cause of erectile dysfunction and initiate the most appropriate treatment.
Dysfunction can be treated in different ways depending on the cause of the problem, and it may be recommended to take medications such as Viagra or Cialis, hormone therapy, the use of vacuum devices or surgery to place prostheses on the penis.
Watch the video below and learn more about erectile dysfunction and also consult the advice of a physical therapist and sexologist to avoid this situation and improve sexual performance: