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Erectile Dysfunction
Definition
Erectile dysfunction (ED, "male impotence") is sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual performance.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
- Drugs (anti-depressants (SSRIs) and nicotine are most common).
- Neurogenic disorders (spinal cord and brain injuries, nerve disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.
- Cavernosal disorders (Peyronie's disease.
- Psychological causes: performance anxiety, stress, mental disorders (clinical depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorders or traits.
- psychological problems, negative feelings.
- Surgery (radiation therapy, surgery of the colon, prostate, bladder, or rectum may damage the nerves and blood vessels involved in erection. Prostate and bladder cancer surgery often require removing tissue and nerves surrounding a tumor, which increases the risk for impotence.
- Ageing. It is four times higher in men in their 60s than in men in their 40s.
- Kidney failure
- Diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). While these two causes have not been proven they’re likely suspects as they cause issues with both the blood flow and nervous systems.
- Lifestyle: smoking is a key cause of erectile dysfunction. Smoking causes impotence because it promotes arterial narrowing.
- See also Tobacco and health.
A few causes of impotence may be iatrogenic (medically caused).
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