Male Erectile Disorder is the inability of the individual to maintain an erection or sustain it throughout sexual activity. This disorder is also known as erectile insufficiency and was formerly called impotence. It can be an extremely debilitating condition for individuals as it can cause a great deal of distress in an individual’s normal functioning at emotional and personal levels. This disorder can be constant or situational and can cause significant disturbance in an individual’s sexual relationship.

Causes of Male Erectile Disorder:

According to several studies, it is believed that erectile dysfunction is primarily a function of anxiety about sexual performance. In other views, researchers believe that under some circumstances anxiety can actually enhance sexual performance in normally functioning men and women. Another study concluded that it is the preoccupation with negative thoughts about not being able to satisfy the partner instead of anxiety that inhibits sexual arousal. Thus, cognitive factors such as negative thoughts about performance have powerful effects on the physiology of sexual arousal.

Erectile problems are a common consequence of ageing. Prolonged or permanent erectile disorder before the age of 60 is relatively rare. According to a study, more than half of married men over the age of 70 have some erectile difficulties.

Erectile dysfunction can also occur with age. A number of men with this disorder have vascular disease in which the blood flow to the penis is significantly decreased and the reception cannot be sustained. Other physical problems such as obesity, intake of alcohol and smoking can lead to the development of this disorder. Diseases of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis can also cause the disorder.

For young men, one cause of erectile problems is having had priapism, or an erection that will not diminish even after a couple of hours, typically accompanied by sexual excitement. Priapism can occur as a result of prolonged sexual activity, disease or the side effect of certain medications. Untreated cases result in erectile dysfunction approximately 50 percent of the time and thus, should be treated as a medical emergency.