top of page
0_3 (15).png

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION CAUSES

Image by Sander Sammy

According to a study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, approximately 40-50% of men over the age of 40 have some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED). The prevalence increases with age, with up to 75% of men over 80 experiencing difficulties getting and maintaining an erection.

PSYCHOLOGICAL – ALL IN YOUR HEAD

According to some experts, 50% of the cases of erectile dysfunction are related to performance anxiety not physical limitations.


Psychological factors such as performance anxiety and fear of failure account for 15-20% of erection issues. Many of the medications that are used to treat psychological conditions also have ED and other sexual side effects. 


Most of the psychological causes of ED center around anxiety and depression. Anxiety can cause the release of chemicals that can interfere with blood flow to the penis. After multiple failures, you can develop anxiety from the simple thought of having to perform sexually, creating the problem before even getting started. 


A good comparison is those with insomnia (difficulty sleeping) that become anxious about not being able to sleep as evening sets in, release chemicals that can directly lead to insomnia.

Image by Sander Sammy

PHYSICAL – SOMETHING IS BROKE

According to a survey conducted by the American Urological Association, approximately 5% of men use penile injections as an alternative to Viagra for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The survey found that penile injections were preferred more often by younger men (age 18-34) and less often by older men (age 65+). Additionally, the survey showed that men with diabetes and those who have previously had prostate surgery were more likely to choose penile injections over Viagra.

​

Erectile dysfunction is projected to increase in numbers due to the rise in obesity and diabetes rates. According to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine, an estimated 18 million additional cases of erectile dysfunction are expected by 2050 due to rising obesity and diabetes rates.

​

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10.5% of the US population, or more than 34 million people, have diabetes. Of those 34 million people, 24 million are diagnosed with diabetes and another 7 million are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes.

​

There are several other conditions that can increase the chance of erectile dysunfction in men:

​

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION: Another common cause of erectile dysfunction are prescription medication. Speak to your doctor about ED to see if there are medications that could be safely stopped or changed. 

​

HOROMONES: Hormonal deficincies and chronic illnesses can also be major contributors to ED. Have your doctor check important hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, sex hormone binding globulin, LH, FSH, DHEA-s, thyroid and cortisol.

​

PENIS STRUCTURE: Structural disorders cause the penis to not work properly such as Peyronie's Disease, where the tissue becomes dysfunctional with thickened tissue and plaques making erections difficult, angled and even painful.

bottom of page