Overview
A man's ability to
achieve and sustain an erection
depends on the healthy operation of a network of systems that cause vascular tissue in the penis to fill with blood. For an erection to take place, the nerves to the penis must function properly, an adequate blood supply must circulate to the penis, and the penis must receive a stimulus from the brain. Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the term used to describe a malfunction in one of these systems. Estimates of the number of American men who suffer from erectile dysfunction range from 15 million to 30 million, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Premature ejaculation, a low sperm count that results in infertility, or a low sex drive are not the same as erectile dysfunction, though one or more of these conditions may accompany ED. Occasional failure to achieve an erection (less than 20 percent of the time) can occur for a variety of reasons-drinking too much alcohol, for example, or extreme fatigue-and is not considered unusual. But failure to achieve an erection
more than 50 percent of the time
usually indicates a problem that requires treatment. Though erectile dysfunction is much more common in older men (researchers estimate that roughly half of men over age 60 have ED), the condition is not considered normal at any age.
Erectile dysfunction is associated with a wide variety of physical and psychological conditions including diabetes, excess weight, atherosclerosis, prostate surgery, depression, stress, performance anxiety, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances. Over 200 prescription medications can cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect, as can smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs. A number of therapies exist to treat the condition.
Need-to-know anatomy
Two spongelike chambers, called the
corpora cavernosa,
run the length of the penis above the
corpus spongiosum,
which contains the urethra, the channel for urine and semen. To initiate an erection, the brain and body send sensory signals to the nerves of the penis, causing the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to relax and the blood vessels to open up. Blood flows in, and the penis expands. A membrane surrounding the corpora cavernosa (known as the
tunica albuginea)
traps the blood, sustaining the erection.
Ejaculation occurs as a result of signals that travel along the sensory nerves of the penis into the spinal cord and the brain, which control the release of semen from the urethra. Ejaculation consists of two phases. In the first phase, the
vas deferens
(the tubes that transport and store sperm from the testes) contract to squeeze the sperm toward the base of the penis while the prostate gland and seminal vesicles release secretions to make semen. In the second phase, muscles at the base of the penis contract every 0.8 seconds and force the semen out of the penis in up to five spurts.
Causes
Achieving an erection involves a complex interaction of sensory information, nerves, blood vessels, hormones, and emotions. Because of this complexity, erectile dysfunction can involve physical factors, psychological factors, or a combination of the two. Essentially, erectile dysfunction occurs when the body experiences a breakdown in the sequence of events leading to an erection. This disruption can occur in nerve impulses to and from the brain, spine, and penis; or in the muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa that respond to those impulses.
A number of
diseases
that affect the tissues near the penis cause most cases of erectile dysfunction. Vascular diseases, such as
atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries),
hypertension,
and
high cholesterol,
cause up to 70 percent of erectile dysfunction in men with physical causes. Atherosclerosis alone accounts for between 50 and 60 percent of erectile dysfunction cases in men over age 60.
Between 35 and 50 percent of men with
diabetes
experience erectile dysfunction because the disease can damage nerves and arteries, making an erection difficult.
Kidney disease
can affect hormones, circulation, nerve function, and energy level. These changes can lower libido (sex drive) or sexual ability. Drugs used to treat kidney disease can also cause erectile dysfunction.
Since the nervous system plays a vital part in achieving and maintaining an erection, it is common for men with diseases such as
stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer
'
s disease, Parkinson
'
s disease,
and
spinal cord injuries
to experience erectile dysfunction.
Surgery and injury can also cause ED. Though
prostate
and
bladder
cancer don't cause erectile dysfunction on their own, the surgery to remove the cancer can lead to erectile problems. To remove these cancers, doctors must also remove nerves and tissues around the affected areas. Some of these surgeries only result in temporary ED (lasting six to 18 months), but other procedures result in permanent damage to the nerves and tissue responsible for causing an erection. Injuries to the pelvis, bladder, spinal cord, and penis that require surgery also commonly cause ED. Injury or disease can also cause
venous leak,
a condition where the veins cannot prevent blood from leaving the penis, which can cause men difficulty in maintaining erections.
Though
hormonal imbalances
only account for 5 percent of all ED cases, problems with the
pituitary gland
, which regulates hormones such as
prolactin
and
testosterone,
can affect a man's response to sexual stimulation. Hormonal imbalances that affect erection can also result from kidney disease, liver disease, or a tumor on the pituitary gland.
Tobacco
,
alcohol
, and
drug use
all can damage a person's blood vessels and restrict blood flow to the penis. Smoking, in particular, plays a large role in causing ED in people with arteriosclerosis.
Medications that cause ED
Erectile dysfunction is a
common side effect
of a number of prescription drugs, especially those affecting a man's hormones, nerves, or circulation. However, anyone who suspects that a prescription medication may be causing erectile dysfunction
should not stop taking the medication
. It's very important to consult the doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe a different medication.
Common
medications
that list erectile dysfunction as a potential side effect include:
Diuretics
Antihypertensives
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
Parkinson's disease drugs
Antiarrythmics
Tranquilizers
Muscle relaxants
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Histamine H2-receptor antagonists
Hormones
Chemotherapy medications
Prostate cancer drugs
Antiseizure drugs
Common
recreational and frequently abused drugs
that may cause erectile dysfunction include:
Alcohol
Amphetamines
Barbiturates
Cocaine
Marijuana
Methadone
Nicotine
Opiates
Psychological causes
Psychological factors account for roughly 10 to 20 percent of all erectile dysfunction cases, and even these can sometimes arise as a secondary reaction to an underlying physical cause. In some cases, the psychological cause of erectile dysfunction may stem from childhood abuse or sexual trauma.
One common psychological cause of erectile dysfunction is
stress
resulting from one's job, money problems, or relationship issues.
Performance anxiety
, or fear of sexual failure, frequently occurs once a man first experiences ED and can lead to future problems achieving erections. Likewise, a man may feel
guilt
that he is not satisfying his partner or
low self-esteem
because of prior experiences with erectile dysfunction that may inhibit sexual performance.
Depression,
a condition that affects people physically and psychologically, can cause erectile dysfunction-as can a number of medications that treat it.
It's important to remember that all men will experience erectile dysfunction at one time or another. You should seek medical advice and treatment if your ED becomes persistent (occurs more than 50 percent of the time). Men whose erectile dysfunction is caused by psychological problems may need therapy.
Risk factors
Age is the risk factor most closely associated with erectile dysfunction. Researchers estimate that 50 percent of men over 60 years old experience ED. For lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and obesity that increase your chances of erectile dysfunction, see also the section on
prevention.
In addition, men who smoke, drink alcohol to excess, use illegal drugs, are overweight, and fail to exercise regularly are more likely to develop health problems such as
atherosclerosis
that put them at higher risk of ED. Men who have
chronic illnesses
such as
diabetes
and
kidney disease
are more likely than the general population to experience ED, particularly if they are not very careful to keep their illnesses under control.
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