Erectile dysfunction can be caused by the use of certain medications, smoking, alcoholism, decreased libido, depression or be a consequence of hormonal changes.
Erectile dysfunction is the difficulty, or inability, to have or maintain an erection in at least 50% of attempts to have sexual contact. In some cases, what can happen is that the erection is not rigid enough for penetration. See more about erectile dysfunction.
In case of erectile dysfunction, it is important that a urologist is consulted so that the cause of the dysfunction can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Main causes
The main causes of erectile dysfunction are:
1. Prolonged use of medicines
Some medications used to treat chronic problems, such as high blood pressure or depression, can have a long-term side effect that leads to the development of erectile dysfunction. Some of the most frequent cases occur with prolonged use of antidepressants, antihypertensives or antipsychotics, but others can also cause this problem.
Therefore, if you have been using a medication for a long time, it is best to consult the leaflet to identify whether it may have this effect or consult the doctor who prescribed it.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
In addition to negatively affecting the entire body, dependence on alcoholic beverages or cigarettes also affects the genital region, hindering the circulation of blood that is necessary to initiate and maintain an erection.
Thus, men who smoke or drink alcohol excessively over the years may experience greater difficulty in having an erection and may end up developing erectile dysfunction.
3. Hormonal problems
Problems that cause hormonal changes, such as hypothyroidism or diabetes, for example, can affect the body’s entire metabolism and sexual functioning, contributing to erectile dysfunction. Understand better how diabetes can affect sexual ability.
Furthermore, there are cases in which a man’s body has greater difficulty producing sexual hormones, such as testosterone, which decrease libido and can cause difficulty in having an erection.
4. Depression and other psychological illnesses
Psychological illnesses, such as depression or anxiety disorders, often cause negative feelings such as fear, anxiety, nervousness and dissatisfaction, which end up making men uncomfortable during intimate contact.
5. Drug use
A good number of drugs, like alcohol or cigarettes, also cause erectile dysfunction in the long term, not only due to decreased circulation to the genital region, but also due to the psychological changes they cause, leading to detachment from the real world.
Some of the drugs that are most often linked to erectile dysfunction include cocaine, marijuana or heroin, for example. See other negative effects of the drug on the body.
6. Overweight or obesity
Excess weight can cause erectile dysfunction in two different ways. First, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, which hinder blood circulation and prevent a satisfactory erection and, secondly, it also reduces the production of the hormone testosterone, which is mainly responsible for libido in men.
Therefore, losing weight and exercising regularly is a great way to combat erectile dysfunction, especially when you are above your ideal weight. See how to easily calculate your ideal weight.
7. Changes in the sexual organ
Although it is rarer, the development of erectile dysfunction can also arise due to small deformities in the penis, such as fibrosis, cysts or anatomical changes, which make it difficult for blood to pass through.
Therefore, if there is no other cause that could justify the dysfunction, it is advisable to consult a urologist to evaluate the anatomy of the sexual organ.
8. Neurological diseases
Several neurological problems have a very high risk of causing erectile dysfunction in men. This is because nerve problems can make it difficult for the brain to communicate with the sexual organ, making an erection difficult.
Some neurological problems that appear to be related to the onset of erectile dysfunction include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain tumors or multiple sclerosis, for example.
What to do in case of erectile dysfunction
When there are symptoms such as difficulty in having or maintaining an erection, flaccid erection, reduction in the size of the sexual organ or difficulty in maintaining intimate contact in some sexual positions, it is recommended to consult a doctor, so that he can identify the cause of erectile dysfunction and initiate treatment. more appropriate treatment.
The dysfunction can be treated in different ways depending on the cause of the problem, and taking medications such as Viagra or Cialis, hormone therapy, use of vacuum devices or surgery to place prostheses in the penis may be recommended.
