Common Causes
An erection requires the interaction of your brain, nerves, hormones, and blood vessels. Anything that interferes with the normal process can become a problem. Common causes include:
- Diseases and conditions such as
diabetes ,high blood pressure , heart or thyroid conditions, poor circulation, low testosterone, depression, spinal cord injury, nerve damage (for example, fromprostate surgery ), or neurologic disorders (like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease) - Certain medications such as blood pressure medication (especially beta-blockers), heart medication (such as digoxin), some peptic ulcer medications, sleeping pills, and antidepressants
- Nicotine, alcohol, or cocaine
- Stress, fear, anxiety, or anger
- Unrealistic sexual expectations, which make sex a task rather than a pleasure
- Poor communication with your partner
- A "vicious cycle" of doubt, failure, or negative communication that reinforces the erection problems
Erection problems tend to become more common as you age, but it can affect men at any age and at any time in their lives. Physical causes are more common in older men, while psychological causes are more common in younger men.
