Erection problems are a total drag for any man. Whether young or old, gay or straight, single or in a relationship, all of us depend on sex for pleasure, and our sexual pleasure, no matter how you shake it, depends on healthy, consistent erections without erectile dysfunction.

As discussed on our page dedicated to erectile dysfunction, there are numerous causes for erection problems. Each man is different and a variety of things, physical and psychological, can cause or combine to cause erectile dysfunction. In the most general sense, penis health is really about general health, and we should take solace in that fact, because you know already what maintaining a healthy body is about: for the most part, common sense.

Beyond the obvious there are various causes for erection problems that we will discuss below:

• Substance Abuse. Overuse of alcohol, cocaine and other drugs often results in erectile dysfunction for many men. Commonly a man’s sex drive is decreased.

• Cigarette Smoking. Cigarette smoke restricts blood flow to major veins and arteries including those to the penis. It is commonly known that smoking can lead to impotence and erection problems..

• Stress and Anxiety. Constant psychological over activity often translates into erectile dysfunction. We can’t forget the mental aspect of arousal. 

• Obesity. Men with weight problems are much more likely to experience trouble getting erections than men at healthy body weights.

• Some Injuries and Resulting Surgeries. Nerve damage is the most common injury that effects erections. Injuries to the pelvic area or spinal chord often result in nerve damage near the genitals.  Some surgeries conducted on the bladder, rectum or prostate can also be unfortunately risky.

• Certain Medications. There is a wide variety of drugs out there, including but not limited to: antihistamines, antidepressants and certain medications that treat high blood pressure and prostate cancer. These medications can cause erection problems by interfering with nerve signals or blood flow to the penis. Some problems are seen as well from tranquilizers and sleeping pills. 

• Chronic Health Conditions.  Lung disease, liver, kidney, or heart disease, damage to the arteries, veins or nerves can lead to erectile dysfunction.  Diabetes has also been shown to contribute. Any condition that inhibits blood flow in the arteries or trouble in the nerves leading to a lack of sensation can contribute. The condition known as male hypogonadism can cause low levels of testosterone. 

• Age. Yes. It’s unavoidable. However, age itself should never be the sole cause of erection troubles. As many as 80 % of men over 75 have erectile dysfunction. Though this seems inevitable, herbal supplements such as the male enhancement pill can significantly improve an elder man’s ability to get an erection. As a man gets older it will invariably take more to arouse him, yet troubles getting an erection are by no means synonymous with age. Older men have erection troubles because they commonly have an underlying health issue that causes the problems, not age itself. 

The physical and psychological causes of erection problems are often interconnected. A physical problem will often cause anxiety that perpetuates the difficulty a man has achieving and maintaining an erection. The wisest approach is always to address the issue of erectile dysfunction as soon as possible.