Medical Health Encyclopedia

Erection problems

Male infertility is also quite different from impotence. A man who is unable to maintain an erection may be very capable of producing sperm that could fertilize an egg. An infertile man is usually able to maintain an erection, but he may be unable to father a child due to problems with sperm count or other factors.

Common Causes:

An erection requires the interaction of your brain, nerves, hormones, and blood vessels. Anything that interferes with the normal process can become a problem. Common causes include:

• Diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or thyroid conditions, poor circulation, low testosterone, depression, spinal cord injury, nerve damage (for example, from prostate surgery), or neurologic disorders (like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease)
• Certain medications such as blood pressure medication (especially beta-blockers), heart medication (such as digoxin), some peptic ulcer medications, sleeping pills, and antidepressants
• Nicotine, alcohol, or cocaine
• Stress, fear, anxiety, or anger
• Unrealistic sexual expectations, which make sex a task rather than a pleasure
• Poor communication with your partner
• A "vicious cycle" of doubt, failure, or negative communication that reinforces the erection problems

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Erection problems tend to become more common as you age, but it can affect men at any age and at any time in their lives. Physical causes are more common in older men, while psychological causes are more common in younger men.

References:

Kaiser DR, Billups K, Mason C, et. al. Impaired Brachial Artery Endothelium-Dependent and Independent Vasodilation in Men With Erectile Dysfunction and No Other Clinical Cardiovascular Disease. JACC. 2004:179–84

Glina S. Testosterone and erectile dysfunction. J Men’s Health Gend. 2004; 1(4): 407-412.

Use of Sildenafil (Viagra) in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: Expert Consensus Document. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1999; 33: 273-82.

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