Erectile dysfunction (impotence) can be described as a problem in getting an erection or maintaining it sufficiently for sexual intercourse at least 25% of times. It is normal to face problems with erection occasionally but if this persists, it calls for prompt treatment.

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) tends to become common as a man ages; however this is caused due to other health problems that creep up with advancing age and not due to the age itself. Sometimes, erectile dysfunction (impotence) may well be an indication of some other underlying health problem such as clogged blood vessels or nerve damage due to diabetes.

A few decades ago, it was thought that erectile dysfunction (impotence) was all in the mind and it occurred purely due to psychological issues. However, it has now been understood that there can be a number of physical and psychological causes as well as medications that can lead to erectile dysfunction (impotence) and most of the causes are treatable. Apart from taking proper treatment, few lifestyle changes can also make a lot of difference to patients and this includes getting proper exercise, taking adequate rest, shedding the extra weight and quitting cigarettes.

Enumerated here are some of the common causes of erectile dysfunction (impotence):

Cardiac disease

High blood pressure (BP)

Diabetes

Obesity

Atherosclerosis (clogging of blood vessels due to cholesterol deposits)

Low testosterone levels (for e.g. due to hypogonadism)

Alcoholism

Smoking

Peyronie's disease (scar tissue in the penis)

Surgery for treating bladder, rectal, prostate diseases or surgery on the spine can damage the nerves that control erection and thus lead to erectile dysfunction

Substance abuse of addictive drugs (like marijuana) also decreases sexual drive

Stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, poor communication with partner can be major causes for developing erectile dysfunction

Certain drugs are common culprits in many cases and these include: antidepressants, antihistamines, tranquilizers, medications used for treating high blood pressure, pain and prostate cancer, etc.