Erectile dysfunction, also known as ‘impotence’ or simply ‘ED’, is a complex condition. It can be triggered by several other health conditions, such as stress, mental and physical health issues, or a combination of these. Because arousal involves emotions, nerves, hormones, muscles and blood vessels, it is complex by its very nature. However, once the causes are identified, suitable treatment options can be explored.

Underlying medical conditions contributing to erectile dysfunction

Some common contributing conditions include:

• heart and circulation problems can reduce the flow of blood to the penis,
• low levels of testosterone,
• injury to or disease of the penis or surrounding areas,
• surgery to the penis or the surrounding areas (e.g. prostate surgery),
• mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, or relationship issues
• lifestyle issues, such as stress, smoking, alcohol and recreational drug abuse

It is always best to speak with a pharmacist or see your doctor who can fully assess your health and treat any condition you might have that could be causing ED symptoms.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease occur due to a build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels and arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow. The smaller blood vessels and arteries in the penis are among the first affected, meaning that an erection is less easily achieved or it may be less firm than before.

Diabetes

Diabetes happens when the body can’t produce or respond correctly to insulin. Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar so when this happens, it can result in too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. The knock-on effect of this for erection problems is that high blood glucose levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, including those needed for an erection.

High blood pressure & cholesterol

High blood pressure (hypertension) puts the body’s blood vessels under extra strain, causing the arteries to thicken so that blood has a narrower space to flow through. Similarly, cholesterol plaque can cause a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. As a result, there is less blood flow into the penis too, creating a knock-on effect of it becoming more and more difficult to achieve or sustain an erection.

Mental health conditions

The majority of cases of ED have a physical cause behind them. However, sometimes psychological conditions such as depression or anxiety can cause erectile difficulty. It’s also possible that it can make the symptoms worse and worrying about the condition can take a mental toll. Talking to your partner or doctor to seek help resolving these issues is important.

Medication

Certain medicines can unfortunately cause erectile problems or symptoms of erectile dysfunction. These can range from diuretics to antihistamines and many more. If you have any concerns about your medications, it is wise to reach out to a medical professional. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any unwanted side effects from medicines you may be taking.

Prostate surgery

The prostate sits just under the bladder, next to the nerves that make an erection happen. Any surgery carried out on the prostate creates a risk of damage to these nerves, and while recovery to pre-treatment function is possible, it takes time and the success rates can vary.

Whatever the underlying cause of ED, there are treatment options available . Finding the one that suits you best may take time and we recommend you speak to your doctor for guidance.