What are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction?
November 21, 2023 | 90,00 EUR | answered by Ben Busse
Dear doctor,
my name is Simon Koch and I am reaching out to you because I have been suffering from erectile dysfunction for some time now and I am very concerned about it. I am 45 years old, otherwise healthy, and have not had any problems in this area before. However, the erectile dysfunction is occurring more frequently and is affecting my sexual life and my relationship.
I wonder what the possible causes of this erectile dysfunction could be. I have heard that there can be many different factors that can lead to such problems. Could psychological stress or anxiety play a role? Or could there be underlying physical causes, such as high blood pressure or diabetes?
I am very worried that these erectile dysfunctions could persist and negatively impact my self-confidence and my relationship. Are there ways to solve or at least alleviate these problems? What treatment options are available and which ones are the most effective?
I hope that you can help me and provide me with answers to my questions. Thank you in advance for your support.
Best regards,
Simon Koch
Dear Simon Koch,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise as a urologist. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing erectile dysfunction and that these problems are affecting your sexual life and relationship. It is important that you address these issues and look for possible causes and treatment options.
Erectile dysfunction can have various causes, both psychological and physical. Psychological stressors such as stress, anxiety, depression, or relationship issues can indeed play a role in the development of erectile dysfunction. In such cases, it may be helpful to speak with a psychologist or therapist to address and cope with the psychological causes.
But physical causes can also contribute to erectile dysfunction. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and hormonal imbalances can affect the blood flow to the penis and lead to erection problems. It is important that you see your primary care physician to assess these physical causes and treat them accordingly.
I understand your concern that the erectile dysfunction might be permanent. However, there are various treatment options that can help you resolve or at least alleviate these problems. This includes medications like PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g. Viagra, Cialis) that improve blood flow to the penis and support erection. Additionally, there are therapeutic approaches such as psychotherapy, physiotherapy, or even surgery in severe cases.
It is important that you speak with a urology specialist to discuss your specific situation and plan a suitable treatment. Your urologist can conduct a thorough examination to determine the causes of your erectile dysfunction and provide you with appropriate recommendations.
I hope that my response answers your questions and gives you some clarity on your situation. Please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with a urologist in your area to further discuss your problems and plan an individualized treatment.
Best regards,
Ben Busse, Urologist
