There are many possible causes for erectile dysfunction (commonly called impotence), including emotional and relationship problems, other health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, being overweight and medication side effects. Working with your doctor, you should be able to pinpoint the exact cause of your erectile dysfunction and determine the best possible treatment.
Step 1
Be open about problems in your relationship. Often, erectile dysfunction is caused by poor communication or troubles in your relationship. Men who have anxiety or fears about sexual performance or their partner's expectations of them may have problems with sexual function. If you speak openly with your doctor about these problems, he can help identify them as the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
Step 2
Talk about your emotional health. Men who are under a lot of stress, depressed or dealing with anxieties---inside or outside of the bedroom---can suffer from erectile dysfunction as a result of poor emotional health. Be honest about these problems or issues with your emotional health, and your doctor may diagnose these as the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
Step 3
Run some physical tests. There are physical health problems that can cause erectile dysfunction, and getting them under control can resolve problems with sexual function. Your doctor may run blood tests to look for problems like low testosterone, perform a physical exam, check out your heart health and measure blood pressure to isolate any of these physical problems as the root of your ED problem.
Step 4
Tell your doctor about your drug use. Prescription medications to treat heart and blood pressure problems, including beta blockers and digoxin, may cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Antidepressants and medications to help you sleep may also be a cause. Excessive alcohol consumption and abuse of illegal drugs may also be to blame, so tell your doctor about any and all medications that you take---and your alcohol habits.
Tips and Warnings
- Living a healthful lifestyle will help prevent a number of health problems, including erectile dysfunction---so get regular exercise, eat a healthful diet and maintain a healthful body weight.
- Some erectile dysfunction medications aren't safe for everyone, including people with heart disease, blood pressure problems and diabetes.
