Physical erectile dysfunction, or ED, is when you can't get or keep an erection because of problems with your body, not your mind. Physical ED, on the other hand, is usually caused by underlying medical conditions, chemical imbalances, or anatomical problems that affect the blood flow or nerve function needed for getting an erection. This is different from psychological ED, which is caused by emotional or mental problems.
Cardiovascular diseases: Heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and high blood pressure (hypertension) can all make it hard for blood to get to the penis, which can make it impossible to get or keep an erection.
Diabetes: Diabetes can hurt nerves and blood vessels, which lowers blood flow and nerve activity that are needed to get and keep an erection.
Neurological disorders: Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injuries are just a few of the neurological conditions that can mess up the nerve signals that affect erections.
Hormonal imbalances: Impotence can be caused by low testosterone levels or other hormonal changes.
Medicines: As a side effect, some medicines, like antidepressants, antihypertensive, antipsychotics, and medicines for prostate problems, can cause or make erectile dysfunction worse.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can make it harder to get or keep an erection by changing hormone levels, blood flow, and heart health in general.
Smoking: Smoking can hurt blood vessels and slow down blood flow, which can make it harder to get or keep an erection.
Abusing alcohol and drugs: Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs for fun can make it hard to get or keep an erection.
Trauma or surgery in the pelvic area: Injuries or surgeries like prostate surgery can hurt nerves and blood vessels that are important for penile function, which can make it impossible to get or keep an erection.
A doctor will usually do a full medical exam on a man with physical erectile dysfunction. This includes a detailed medical history, a physical exam, and maybe some lab tests or imaging studies to look for underlying medical conditions or problems with the body's structure. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, physical ED may be treated by addressing underlying medical conditions, making changes to the person's lifestyle (like quitting smoking, losing weight, and drinking less alcohol), taking medications (like phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors), using vacuum erection devices, penile injections, or surgery. If you have trouble getting or keeping an erection, you should see a doctor right away so they can properly diagnose the problem and make treatment suggestions that are right for you.
