Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability for a man to gain and maintain an erection which can dramatically inhibit his performance and confidence in the bedroom. The causes for this condition can range from what can best be described as “performance anxiety” to a biological impairment that can come in the form of hormone imbalances to side effects from various medications.

Knowing what may be causing your ED is the first step in the process of treating your ED. That’s why Dr. Christopher Asandra offers a myriad of approaches that can expertly diagnose what your underlying cause is and attack it at the root. Tailoring to each man’s individual needs, Dr. Asandra’s signature approaches and state-of-the-art techniques make him the most qualified and effective MD in Beverly Hills to resolve your ED. If you would like to schedule a private consultation or wish to discuss many of our other services please don’t hesitate to call us at (424) 213-1118. 

About ED 

For most men, the prospect of talking openly about their ED is just as off-limits as talking about who they voted for, how much money they make, or the last four digits of their social security number. Talking about ED is straight up taboo. But why? Studies show that by 2025, 322 million men around the world will be diagnosed with this condition[1] – diagnosed; who knows how many more millions will go on about their lives suffering in silence. Add on to the fact that statistically in the U.S. 50% of men at the age of 50 experience ED, then 60% of 60-year-olds, and then 70% of 70-year-olds and so on and on.[3] But don’t be fooled to believe ED is an older man’s plight. New studies show that 49% of those who suffer severe ED symptoms are under the age of 40.[4] So, the effects of ED can be seen across the spectrum of men’s age. 

Now, the fact that statistically speaking most men will suffer from bouts of ED some time down the road should be enough to delegate the topic out of the taboo section and into the mainstream conversation. At AsandraMD, Dr. Asandra recognizes this dissonance between ED’s prevalence in men’s health and its absence in the discourse of public health. 

Causes of ED

Like the delicate, robust balance of a da Vinci Bridge, a man’s sexual health is synergistic with the health and well-being of his body’s other systems. When one system deviates from the overall harmonious health this can trigger a domino effect down the chain of systems and cause many hiccups along the way. None are as common as psychological or neurologic causes and hormone imbalances. 

Psychological Causes

Mental health and physical health are tethered and fused together in a symbiotic relationship. When mental health is affected this can result in conditions that can inspire ED. Anxiety and depression act as common causes for ED. Men who experience depression are 39% more likely to experience ED.[2] This depression can cause a lowered libido which can result in a man’s inability to gain and maintain an erection until completion during sexual intercourse. 

In addition, men who suffer from anxiety may experience anxiety-related panic when it comes to the bedroom. If a man experiences a rare bout of ED, this can be very embarrassing for him and dissatisfying for his partner which may lead to worry about future encounters. This performance anxiety causes a spiral that triggers anxiety-induced ED every time a sexual encounter introduces itself. 

Medications

While the list of erectile-dysfunction-causing medications is long the common ones are:

  • Antidepressants 
  • High-blood pressure medications
  • Antihistamines
  • Beta blockers
  • Alpha blockers
  • Chemotherapy medications
  • Hormonal medications
  • NSAIDs
  • Opiate painkillers

Neurologic Causes

Many different types of neurologic causes can stem from damages to certain nerve areas resulting from injuries, surgeries, or diseases. Nerve damage can be caused by:

  • Peyronie’s Disease
  • Chronic alcoholism
  • Spinal or nerve injuries
  • Nerve damage to the pelvic region
  • Diabetes

Hormone Imbalances

As men age, they slow down, their energy levels waver, their sleep quality worsens, their libido rises and falls in irregular tides, and their erectile health and consistency may seem as unreliable as the weatherman’s forecast. This all stems from the decreasing levels of testosterone men have in their bodies as they age. Like women’s estrogen levels, a man’s endocrine system produces the most testosterone during the early half of his 20s, plateaus around his 30s, and then gradually decreases as the man goes into his 40s. This can severely affect relationships. By the time he’s 50, he won’t have the same vitality and vigor he once had in his youth. But what if he could? What if there was a personalized treatment plan tailored just to his own individual hormone levels? With Dr. Asandra’s treatments for erectile dysfunction, you can regain that vitality and vigor through a personalized treatment plan. 

Early Signs of ED

ED doesn’t happen overnight. Like many other health conditions, if caught and treated early, satisfactory results can be achieved easier and quicker. But if left to grow and fester, this condition becomes slightly more difficult to get a firm grasp on. ED works gradually over time and there are a couple of red flags that should not be overlooked. 

Reduced Penile Sensitivity

This can be the result of less blood flow to the penis and can be an indicator of lowered libido. With less blood flow to the penis, the sensitivity of the area is lessened which may result in more stimulation required to achieve and maintain a strong erection; stimulation that is not present in natural intercourse. This can result in softer erections and erections that don’t last long enough for satisfactory sex. 

Less Frequent Morning Glory

Coined as “Morning Glory”, morning erections in men are a good indicator that his entire system is working as it should. Healthy men experience 3-5 erections a night that last from 30-60 minutes on average.[5] If a man is still experiencing regular nighttime erections but still struggling with ED then we know the causes are probably psychological rather than physiological. 

Premature Ejaculation

While some men experience the inability to keep an erection to the point of climax, many men struggle with ejaculating too soon during sexual intercourse. This can be incredibly embarrassing to a man and may cause avoidance of future sexual encounters entirely. 

If these early red flags sound like the same symptoms you struggle with, please feel free to contact us to schedule your private consultation today!

Candidates

Men who are right for erectile dysfunction treatment are men who:

  • Experience softer erections
  • Can’t maintain or gain a sufficient erection
  • Are dissatisfied with their sexual performance
  • Are looking for real, lasting results to their sexual discomforts

Private Consultation

During your private consultation at AsandraMD, please feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding ED, our services, or our personalized treatment plans. It is best that we get to know you as we will go over your medical, surgical, and prescription history, sleuthing for clues that may garner a reason for your erectile dysfunction. Then, we will test your hormone levels. This will be key to addressing what type of treatment plan would be tailor made for you. After assessing your test results, Dr. Asandra will customize a treatment plan that will work to give you your erectile health back. 

Cost to Regain Your Erectile Health

The cost for your erectile dysfunction treatment will vary on a couple of factors. After the cause is concluded, varying treatment options may be elected to correct this condition. The cost of these treatments will change based on the customized approach to your specific plan. 

FAQ

Is erectile dysfunction curable?

If caught early, erectile dysfunction is easier to address than if caught later down the road. A man’s sexual health is as complex as the man himself, so curing such an intricate aspect of him requires pristine treatments and patience. 

Can I get ED when I’m young?

Yes. Nowadays, the number of men under the age of 30 who suffer from ED is on the rise. Keeping a healthy balance of diet and exercise is important to your overall health which in turn affects your sexual health. 

References

  1. McKinlay, J. (2000). The worldwide prevalence and epidemiology of erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research, 12(S4), S6–S11. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900567
  2. Liu, Q., Zhang, Y., Wang, J., Li, S., Cheng, Y., Guo, J., Tang, Y., Zeng, H., & Zhu, Z. (2018). Erectile Dysfunction and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 15(8), 1073–1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.05.016
  3. Mobley, D. F., Khera, M., & Baum, N. (2017). Recent advances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 93(1105), 679–685. https://doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134073
  4. Capogrosso, P., Colicchia, M., Ventimiglia, E., Castagna, G., Clementi, M. C., Suardi, N., Castiglione, F., Briganti, A., Cantiello, F., Damiano, R., Montorsi, F., & Salonia, A. (2013). One Patient Out of Four with Newly Diagnosed Erectile Dysfunction Is a Young Man—Worrisome Picture from the Everyday Clinical Practice. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(7), 1833–1841. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12179
  • Share: