A romantic dinner, a relaxed mood and the woman of your dreams… It seems that the evening should end in a certain way. But what if this doesn’t happen? Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction in men is a very common phenomenon. According to statistics, every third man faces this problem. Today, let’s talk about common and unobvious erectile dysfunction triggers, and how to deal with these ED causes.
Why do men face erection problems?
All the possible reasons, including the unobvious erectile dysfunction triggers, can be divided into two groups: psychological and physiological. If we compare a person with a computer, the first means a malfunction in the software and the second – in the hardware.
Physiological causes of erection problems include:
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Spinal cord and brain disorders.
- Diabetes.
- Hormonal imbalances (mainly thyroid disease).
- Prostate disorders.
- Side effects of some drugs, especially medicines for hypertension, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, hormones and steroids.
- An unhealthy lifestyle, including alcohol abuse, smoking, etc.
Psychological reasons for erection problems and tips to improve your sex
Some of such issues seem familiar and obvious, while others can be named among unobvious erectile dysfunction triggers. First, check this list:
- Stress of any origin – due to work, conflict, fear of the future.
- Depression.
- Neurosis.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- The so-called failure expectation syndrome.
Stress causes erection problems much more often than you can imagine. Penis function depends a lot on the brain, so excess stress can interfere with a man’s ability to get and keep an erection. To solve the problem, try stress management.
According to statistics, 61% of men with severe depression face sexual problems as well. Antidepressants (i.e. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) directly affect libido, reducing sexual desire and activity.
Sometimes, a combination of psychological and physiological issues leads to weak erection, too.
Unusual causes of difficulties with erection and ways of solving such problems
If you notice any symptoms of erectile dysfunction, don’t hesitate to consult a specialist. Other methods include finding out the cause and fixing it, or simply buying effective medicines for impotence, such as Viagra. Here you can find some unobvious erectile dysfunction triggers:
- Alcohol abuse can trigger erection problems, especially in elderly. Too much alcohol reduces sexual desire, directly affecting erectile function in men. Studies show that a long history of alcohol abuse can lead to long-term erectile dysfunction.
- Smoking has a negative effect on almost all health indicators, including sexual health. In particular, a study published in 2005 named smoking the leading cause of erection problems in young people. Fortunately, quitting smoking helps in 75% of cases.
- Also, studies have confirmed that condoms can cause sexual difficulties in men, too. However, do not skip to unprotected sex. Just find the right condom brand.
- According to a study published in the Sexual Medicine journal, chronic periodontal inflammation may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Gum disease is directly related to heart disease, another risk factor.
- Among the other unobvious erectile dysfunction triggers is… cycling. Studies suggest that about 4% of male cyclists who spend at least 3 hours a week cycling suffer from moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. Blood vessels get damaged, which increases the risk of developing impotence.