Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are embarrassing conditions, and most men will experience one or both at some point in their sexual life. In fact, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website, between 15 and 30 million men are subject to some problems with sexual function. Erectile dysfunction, commonly called impotence, is the inability to get or sustain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. Premature ejaculation is an uncontrolled ejaculation that occurs too soon.
Physical
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by an underlying medical condition, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. This sexual condition can even be an early warning sign of heart disease, reports an article published in "The Journal of Sexual Medicine," preceding the development of coronary artery disease by two to three years. Metabolic syndrome, a combination of elevated insulin, elevated cholesterol and a tendency to accumulate fat around the midsection, can also be a cause of erectile dysfunction.
Disorders of the nervous system such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis can produce erectile dysfunction, as well as surgeries that damage the spinal cord or the nerves in the pelvic region. Peyronie's disease, in which scar tissue develops inside the penis, is another possible cause.
Some of the diseases that can cause premature ejaculation, on the other hand, include thyroid disorders, abnormal levels of hormones or neurotransmitters and infections of the prostate or urethra, notes MayoClinic.com.
Psychological
Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are similar in that psychological factors can cause either condition. Certain mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, can produce erectile dysfunction, according to MayoClinic.com. Stress and fatigue can also make impotence more likely to occur.
Relationship problems can cause issues with premature ejaculation. Feelings of guilt or early sexual experiences that were hurried to avoid detection can cause a habit of premature ejaculation which may be difficult to break.
Medication Side Effects
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a long list of medications note erectile dysfunction as a possible side effect, including tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications, histamine H2-receptor antagonists, hormones, chemotherapy drugs, seizure medications, diuretics, antihistamines and antidepressants, as well as drugs that are used to treat irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease.
Other drugs such as alcohol, opiates, marijuana, cocaine and nicotine can also cause problems with getting and maintaining an erection.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Erectile Dysfunction - Causes
- MayoClinic.com: Premature Ejaculation - Causes
- Cleveland Clinic: Medications That May Cause Erectile Dysfunction
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Erectile Dysfunction
- "The Journal of Sexual Medicine"; The Second Princeton Consensus on Sexual Dysfunction and Cardiac Risk: New Guidelines for Sexual Medicine; G. Jackson et al.; January 2006
