Different abnormalities that prevent achieving or maintaining penis erection sufficient for full sexual intercourse are called erectile dysfunction. This disorder is one of the most common forms of sexual disorders at men.
General Description
Almost every man once in his life has suffered from inability to achieve erection. This temporary phenomenon could be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or fear.
What is erectile dysfunction? Broadly defined – it is a chronic condition of male body, manifesting not only in inability to keep penis in erected state, but also in decrease in sexual desire – libido. This disease can be caused by inconfidence, stress and fear or self-dissatisfaction.
More than 10% of men complain on this disorder over the age of 21, and in the age group from 40 to 70 this disease affects more than 50%. Quite often, causes are problems or fatigue at work, a variety of psychological problems or physical illness.

There are primary (congenital) and secondary degree of erectile dysfunction. The first type is characterized by the fact that a man has never, throughout his life, been able to perform a full sexual intercourse. This disease form is very rare. The most common form is the second type, at which a man had everything fine, but then, for some reason, problems or weak erection began to appear.
To a large extent erectile dysfunction worsens quality of life. It can manifest in sexual dissatisfaction, constant psychic tension, stress and low self-esteem.
How does Erection Appear?
Different mechanisms are responsible in human body for erection appearance. Male penis consists of two different cavernous bodies and one spongy body. Each of them individually has circulatory system, unrelated to each other. They are supplied with blood through their arteries, and then it outflows through individual veins. In case of sexual excitement the arteries, that bring blood, greatly expand, and veins are sharply narrowed. Consequently, penis lacunas accumulate a large amount of blood, there is tension and erection appears. This blood vessels condition is preserved during the whole excitation period. During all this time penile tissues (excluding skin) do not receive new blood, in this case – they are in specific ischemia state.
As a consequence, very long-lasting sex can also lead to a certain kind of male health problems and serve as the cause for one of erectile dysfunction types.
Consequence of multifactor impact is erectile dysfunction etiology and pathogenesis itself. Any reasons for blood flow to cavernous bodies reduction, or to increase in its outflow may become erectile disorders factors.
Disease Causes Classification
Erectile dysfunction according to its causes may have psychogenic origin, as well as physical factors of organic nature. In overwhelming number of cases, this disease has a mixed nature.
Among organic factors causing male erectile dysfunction, Canadian Health&Care Mall distinguishes:
- chronic prostatitis;
- drug therapy side effect;
- endocrine disorders (pituitary tumor, hypogonadism, etc.);
- spinal cord or pelvic organs injury or surgery;
- perineal organs dysfunction or disease;
- neurological disorders (epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, etc.);
- cardiovascular system diseases.
Erectile dysfunction physical causes include obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, Peyronie’s disease (scar tissues in penis). Erectile dysfunction at diabetes is a relatively frequent consequence for this type of disorders.
Smoking, drinking alcohol or taking narcotic drugs also contribute to such disease as erectile dysfunction development. In the same time, some medication drugs – antispasmodics, antidepressants or substances that reduce blood pressure – can cause this disorders.
Psychogenic Causes
Psychogenic factors that cause this disorder include:
- depression;
- fatigue;
- stress;
- general poor health condition;
- conflict situations;
- dissatisfaction with oneself or partner.
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction at men can be caused by various psychological and other reasons. Very often, erection does not occur because of insufficiently favorable for sexual intercourse external environment: unlocked doors, presence of strangers in the house, necessity to keep quiet not to wake sleeping children and so on. Such psychogenic disease form may be also selective, when a man at constant success with one partner, can’t perform full sexual intercourse with another. Young people may have problems with sexual intercourse on first acquaintance. The degree of excitation during first intimacy is so great that before intercourse begins the body is already very tired of this overload. Because of this – erection disappears. In future, everything may come back to normal.
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction can also occur due to condoms use. In some cases, because of them normal erection doesn’t appear. Other contraceptive methods help to remove this psychological moment and build up relationships.
Psychological constitution of some men can be built in such a way that even random failures can cause severe anxiety and lead to negative perception of sexual relations in future. Most negative impact is exposed by thoughts of own worthlessness. In such cases it is better to forget about the problem and switch off from it. It is necessary to only remove excitement factor, and the next time everything will be fine.
Typical signs and symptoms, that psychological reasons affect this function, is erection appearance during sleep, in the morning or during masturbation, and at other times achieving this condition causes problems. Only complete absence of erection can indicate serious violations and organic causes of erectile dysfunction.