What Causes Impotence

Unfortunately, those days are long gone now. But if this is of any consolation, you're not alone in the struggle.

Research shows that around 40% of men experience erectile dysfunction at the age of 40, and the percentage jumps to 70% by age 70.

Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, is no doubt a complex medical issue. That's why we've compiled a guide on what causes impotence and what you can do about it.

Let's get started!

What is Impotence?

A person who struggles with erectile dysfunction essentially has a hard time keeping an erection that is firm enough for having sex.

If you have erection issues occasionally, this generally isn't a major reason to worry. However, if it is a constant problem, it can lead to stress and decrease your self-confidence. In turn, you may struggle with relationship issues.

If you have problems getting an erection or keeping it, this may also point to an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. In addition, it's a heart disease risk factor.

If you are worried about your erectile dysfunction issue, it wouldn't hurt for you to speak with your doctor about it. Yes, it may be an embarrassing topic to discuss at first. But sometimes you can reverse your impotence by receiving treatment for an underlying medical condition.

In other situations, medication created specifically for erectile dysfunction might be necessary (more on this later).

Symptoms of Impotence

As we mentioned earlier, if you're having a difficult time getting and/or keeping your erections, these are signs of impotence. But there are a few other important warning signs to watch for.

For instance, you might notice that your sexual desire has decreased. Or maybe you're experiencing delayed or premature ejaculation.

Also, you might have known medical conditions that have been linked to impotence, such as diabetes or heart disease. (We'll examine other noteworthy medical conditions related to impotence later as well.)

What Causes Impotence?

Just a couple of decades ago, physicians typically blamed impotence on psychological issues or on the aging process in older men.

Today, though, the medical opinion pendulum has moved away from these two notions.

As we alluded to earlier, arousal does take longer as you age. But if you're experiencing chronic impotence, the challenge you're facing often doesn't have a psychological origin.

These days, urologists assert that physical factors are what underlie most cases of chronic impotence in men older than 50 years.

Older Men vs. Younger Men

Your nervous system controls the vascular process that produces an erection.

If you're over 50 and are taking particular prescription medications, these medications might interfere with your critical nerve signals. These potentially problematic medications include the following:

However, you should never stop taking a prescription medication if your doctor hasn't given you permission to do so.

Also, note that marijuana and other illegal drugs, as well as tobacco and alcohol might contribute to your erectile dysfunction.

For younger men, psychological problems are oftentimes the culprit. Anxiety and tension might arise from subpar communication with their sexual partners or differences in their sexual preferences.

The sexual challenges that younger men may face might be connected to the following factors:

Younger men might also struggle with rejection by their peers or even their parents, which could contribute to their impotence.

A Deeper Look at Psychological Causes of Impotence

Let's take a close look at why specifically psychological issues may cause erectile dysfunction.

Your brain helps to trigger the many physical events responsible for causing you to have an erection. These events include feeling sexually excited.

However, if you're feeling anxious or mentally overwhelmed, this can cause or exacerbate your impotence.

In fact, the process of sexual arousal happens to be quite complex, involving not just the brain but also your blood vessels, muscles, nerves, emotions and hormones. So, if you have issues with any of these other areas, this can lead to erectile dysfunction as well.

Also, note that an issue with one area may contribute to an issue with another area, thus ultimately leading to your impotence.

For instance, let's say that you have a relatively minor health condition that unfortunately slows down your sexual response. This may cause you to feel anxious every time you head to the bedroom with your significant other. And as a result, your impotence only gets worse.

A Deeper Look at Physical Causes of Impotence

Now, let's examine some physical causes of impotence that we haven't discussed yet. These include the following:

Also, Peyronie's disease -- where scar tissue develops inside your penis -- may cause you to experience impotence. Likewise, metabolic syndrome may lead to erectile dysfunction problems. This syndrome involves high levels of insulin, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fat around your waist.

Fortunately, as we mentioned earlier, medications may be able to help you with this problem.

How We Can Help

We offer multiple drugs designed for those who are struggling with erectile dysfunction. These drugs include Levitra, Cialis, Staxyn, Caverject and Viagra.

Our goal? To help you to perform in the bedroom like you used to. After all, your sex life can have a major impact on your overall quality of life.

Get in touch with us to find out more about what causes impotence and how our medications can help you to finally enjoy sex with your significant other once again.