Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is the inability to achieve and keep an erection necessary for sexual intercourse. One very common myth about ED is that it is a direct consequence of aging, but this, in fact, is not true. Many older men experience ED only because they also tend to have any one of several physical disorders more common in aging individuals that contribute to their erection problems. It is therefore important to remember that ED may be a sign of more serious health concerns. In addition, psychological stressors as well as external factors such as medications or lifestyle choices may also cause erectile dysfunction.


Anatomy of an erection
A successful erection depends on a healthy synergy among hormones, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. All these things work together to be able to produce a good blood flow into the penis. The brain sends nerve signals to the penis during sexual arousal which causes the penile muscles to relax and become engorged with blood. Pressure keeps the blood in the penis, and the veins prevent it from flowing out of the muscles so that the penis can sustain the erection.


Causes of erectile dysfunction
Between 80 to 90 percent of all cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by physical disorders. Many such disorders are conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. These include:
•    Diabetes
•    Atherosclerosis and other heart diseases
•    Hypertension (high blood pressure)
•    High Cholesterol
•    Obesity

Other cases of ED are caused by nerve damage resulting from neurological diseases and injuries. These include:
•    Stroke
•    Alzheimer’s disease
•    Parkinson’s disease
•    Multiple sclerosis
•    Injuries to the spinal cord
•    Nerve damage from treatments for prostate cancer, including radiation and surgical removal of the prostate.

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