Medical expert of the article

Urologist

New publications

Erectile dysfunction (impotence): causes

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

The causes of the development of erectile dysfunction (impotence) are as follows:

trusted-source [1], [2], [3]

Psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Situational features.
- Neuroses.
- Dependence on psychotropic substances.

Organic causes of erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Vasculogenic.
- Cardiovascular diseases:
- Arterial hypertension.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes.
- Hyperlipidemia.
- Tobacco smoking (penile angiospasm).
- Lerish's syndrome.
- Venous occlusal disorders.
- Operative interventions or radiation effects in the pelvic and retroperitoneal space.
Neurogenic.
- Diseases of the brain and spinal cord (Parkinson's disease, stroke, neoplasms, multiple sclerosis, trauma, lesions of intervertebral discs).
- Peripheral neuropathies (diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, chronic renal failure, polyneuropathy, surgical interventions in the pelvic and retroperitoneal space).
Hormonal.
- Hypogonadism (congenital, acquired, age).
- Hyperprolactinemia.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Illness of Itenko-Cushing.
Structural (diseases of the penis).
- Peyronie's disease.
- Injury, congenital curvature.
- Sclerotic changes due to cavernitis or priapism. Small penis.
- Hypospadias, epispadias.

Drug causes of erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Hypotensive drugs (diuretics, beta-blockers)
Antidepressants
Antiandrogens.
Psychotropic and narcotic means.

trusted-source [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

Classification of erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is classified by severity: mild, moderate, severe; and the reasons for its occurrence: organic, psychogenic and combined, i.e. Combining mental and organic factors. It should be borne in mind that psychogenic effects are present in all types of erectile dysfunction (impotence).

trusted-source [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]

Translation Disclaimer: For the convenience of users of the iLive portal this article has been translated into the current language, but has not yet been verified by a native speaker who has the necessary qualifications for this. In this regard, we warn you that the translation of this article may be incorrect, may contain lexical, syntactic and grammatical errors.