Physical causes of erectile dysfunction are most commonly linked with medical conditions that negatively affect blood circulation, and as we’ve discussed previously, blood flow to the penis is essential to gain and maintain an erection.
Examples of such conditions include high blood pressure (hypertension), clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis) which restrict blood flow, heart disease, and high cholesterol. In addition to circulatory problems, there may be other physical causes, for example, high blood sugar levels in diabetes can damage nerves throughout the penis, which in turn diminishes their ability to send the necessary chemical messengers required to gain an erection. High blood sugar can also adversely affect blood vessels.
Prescribed medication may also be a causative factor for erectile dysfunction, examples include diuretics (water pills), certain antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine), antihistamines, just to name a few. To know if prescribed medicine(s) could be contributing to erectile dysfunction, be sure to look at the patient information leaflet provided with the medicine(s) and see if erectile dysfunction is a listed side effect.
A similar sentiment is also true for recreational drugs, and for this reason, we should also pay attention to the likes of smoking, drinking alcohol, as well as illicit drug use including marijuana and heroin, to name a few.
Obesity, alongside metabolic syndrome (having a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity) can negatively impact blood pressure and cholesterol levels, possibly leading to erectile dysfunction.
There are many other medical conditions that may play a role in erectile dysfunction, with some examples being Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Peyronie’s disease (development of scar tissue inside the penis), amongst others. If you feel that a medical condition could be the/ a contributing factor, be sure to consult your doctor.
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