Slideshow: Erectile Dysfunction Causes
The brain is an often-overlooked erogenous zone. Sexual excitement starts in your head and works its way down. Depression can dampen your desire and can lead to erectile dysfunction. Ironically, many of the drugs used to treat depression can also suppress your sex drive and make it harder to get an erection, and they can cause a delay in your orgasm.
You might consider having a few drinks to get in the mood, but overindulging could make it harder for you to finish the act. Heavy alcohol use can interfere with erections, but the effects are usually temporary. The good news is that moderate drinking — one or two drinks a day — might have health benefits like reducing heart disease risks. And those risks are similar to erectile dysfunction risks.
The contents of your medicine cabinet could affect your performance in the bedroom. A long list of common drugs can cause ED, including certain blood pressure drugs, pain medications, and antidepressants. But do not stop taking any medicines without talking to your doctor first. Street drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana can cause sexual problems in men, too.
It’s not easy to get in the mood when you’re overwhelmed by responsibilities at work and home. Stress can take its toll on many different parts of your body, including your penis. Deal with stress by making lifestyle changes that promote well-being and relaxation, such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and seeking professional help when appropriate.
Anger can make the blood rush to your face, but not to the one place you need it when you want to have sex. It’s not easy to feel romantic when you’re raging, whether your anger is directed at your partner or not. Unexpressed anger or improperly expressed anger can contribute to performance problems in the bedroom.
Worrying that you won’t be able to perform in bed can make it harder for you to do just that. Anxiety from other parts of your life can also spill over into the bedroom. All that worry can make you fear and avoid intimacy, which can spiral into a vicious cycle that puts a big strain on your sex life — and relationship.
Carrying extra pounds can impact your sexual performance, and not just by lowering your self-esteem. Obese men have lower levels of the male hormone testosterone, which is important for sexual desire and producing an erection. Being overweight is also linked to high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, which can reduce blood flow to the penis.
When you don’t like what you see in the mirror, it’s easy to assume your partner isn’t going to like the view, either. A negative self-image can make you worry not only about how you look, but also how well you’re going to perform in bed. That performance anxiety can make you too anxious to even attempt sex.
Low libido isn’t the same as erectile dysfunction, but a lot of the same factors that stifle an erection can also dampen your interest in sex. Low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and certain medications can all reduce your sex drive. When all those worries are tied up with making love, your interest in sex can take a nosedive.
Many different health conditions can affect the nerves, muscles, or blood flow that is needed to have an erection. Diabetes, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis can contribute to ED. Surgery to treat prostate or bladder problems can also affect the nerves and blood vessels that control an erection.
It can be embarrassing to talk to your doctor about your sex life, but it’s the best way to get treated and get back to being intimate with your partner. Your doctor can pinpoint the source of the problem and may recommend lifestyle interventions like quitting smoking or losing weight. Other treatment options may include ED drugs, hormone treatments, a suction device that helps create an erection, or counseling.
Sources
Medically Reviewed on 8/1/2017 1
Reviewed by Minesh
Khatri, MD on August 01, 2017
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
(1) Cultura/Zero Creatives
(2) Frederic Cirou / PhotoAlto
(3) Jupiterimages / Comstock Images
(4) Colorblind / The Image Bank
(5) Fuse
(6) A. Chederros
(7) DAJ
(8) Shuji Kobayashi / Taxi
(9) Peter Cade / Iconica
(10) Peter Scholey / Photographer’s Choice
(11) Digital Vision
REFERENCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Psychological Association.
Araujo, A. American Journal of Epidemiology, 2000.
Bozman, A. Archives of Sexual Behavior, February 1991.
Brown University.
Chew, K. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, May 2009.
Cleveland Clinic.
Coretti, G. Psychiatric Times, August 2007.
Corona, G. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, October 2008.
Hedon, F. International Journal of Impotence Research, 2003.
Johns Hopkins.
McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Medscape.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
News release, ScienceDaily.
Pagani, M. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2000.
Smeltzer, S. Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.
Stief, C. European Urology Supplements, November 2007.
The Hormone Foundation.
Thompson, I. Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 21, 2005.
University of Iowa.
UpToDate.
Reviewed by Minesh
Khatri, MD on August 01, 2017
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
View our slideshows to learn more about your health.
© 2005 – 2018 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Slideshow: Erectile Dysfunction Causes
Research & References of Slideshow: Erectile Dysfunction Causes|A&C Accounting And Tax Services
Source
0 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks