A romantic dinner, a relaxed mood and the woman of your dreams – all this not just hints, but it says directly that the evening should end in a certain way. But sometimes this does not happen. And not because she was not set to continue. And because you could not even start.

Erectile dysfunction – a phenomenon more common than we used to think. According to statistics, every third man faces similar episodes. In fact, serious problems with erection (including the inability to achieve orgasm or maintain an erection throughout the sexual intercourse) are not so many men, and in the overwhelming majority this is due to age. Thus, according to studies, about 4% of men over the age of 50 years old and almost 50% of men over 75 years of age face erectile dysfunction.

If this phenomenon occurs not so rarely, this is certainly a reason to consult a specialist. Doctors say that professional help is needed when erection problems begin to give you tangible physical or psychological discomfort. However, sometimes episodes are caused by things you might not even think about.

In this material, we have collected the obvious causes of erection problems that you need to know in order to understand exactly what is happening to you.

Alcohol

Rumors are true – an excess of alcohol can cause problems with erection. According to everyday Health , alcohol is a depressant. That is, it weakens the ability to think, speak and move effectively, and at the same time it lowers mood and reduces sexual desire, directly affecting erectile function. Studies show that a long history of alcohol abuse can lead to long-term erectile dysfunction (this is what causes 70% of men).

Condoms

Studies have confirmed that condoms may prevent some men from holding an erection. In particular, SexualHealth.com cites data from a 2006 study, which showed that over a three-month period, approximately 37% of participants in the experiment experienced an episode of erectile dysfunction in the process of putting on a condom or during sex with a condom. However, unprotected sex is not the best way to solve a problem. Using the right size condom or finding the right brand will prove to be a more correct behavior tactic.

Gum disease

What is common between the gums and the penis? At first glance, nothing. But according to a study published in the magazine Sexual Medicine , chronic periodontal inflammation can lead to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. The fact is that gum disease is a negative indicator of overall health, and is directly related to the risk of heart disease, another risk factor for erection problems.

Smoking

Smoking has a negative impact on almost all health indicators, including sexual health. Since an erection is caused by an increase in blood flow to the male member, a decrease in blood flow can lead to erection problems, reports Healthline . A 2005 study found that smoking is the main cause of erection problems in young men. Fortunately, it is reversible: in 2011, a study of erectile dysfunction among smokers showed that giving up a bad habit led to an increase in sexual efficiency in 75% of cases.

Stress

The function of the penis is more dependent on the brain, so too much stress can interfere with the man’s ability to get and hold an erection. According to Healthline , even if a man really wants to have sex, severe stress will make it impossible. This also should be attributed, and all sorts of emotional disorders. Lack of attachment to a partner or suspicion of adultery can make an erection more difficult, reports The Huffington Post . But frank conversation about relationships can solve a problem.

Cycling

Article 2005, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine says that about 4% of male cyclists who spend at least 3 hours a week in the saddle experience erectile dysfunction from moderate to severe. While only 1% of runners face the same problem. Why it happens? When you sit on the bicycle seat, you transfer body weight to the nerves and arteries that carry blood to the penis. So over time, the blood vessels can be damaged, which will lead to a decrease in blood flow to the penis and the risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

Depression

According to Cleveland Clinic Foundation , 61% of men with severe depression have sexual problems. Experts point out that in   depression is a biochemical component, namely, chemicals help brain cells communicate, including in order to stimulate blood flow to the penis. In turn, the inability to engage and enjoy sex can exacerbate the symptoms of depression – but the vicious circle does not end there. The fact is that antidepressants (namely, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) directly affect libido, reducing sexual desire and sexual activity.

Jealousy

It is well known that psychological factors can play an important role in sex life. But the new data on the topic: if your partner spends a lot of time with her male friends, this can lead to erection problems. American Journal of Sociology cites data from a study in which more than 3,000 men between the ages of 57 and 85 years took part . The study found that men whose partner is too close to talking with male friends, 92% more often have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. Scientists suggest that this may be due to the social perception of masculinity.

Coronary insufficiency

Erectile dysfunction before the age of 45 is a risk factor for coronary insufficiency . It is a condition in which cholesterol, blood clots or connective tissue narrow the lumen of the coronary arteries. As a result, blood does not flow to the heart in the required volume, coronary heart disease develops with all the unpleasant consequences: arrhythmia, heart failure.

How is this related to erection? The inner layer of vessels – the endothelium – signals when the vessels should contract and relax. When the endothelium is not working, the walls of the arteries cannot relax. As a result, the vessels that should fill the penis with blood do not function . And here it is, impotence.

Since the arteries of the reproductive system are narrower than the ones that feed the brain and heart, first of all violations affect the erection, and coronary insufficiency is detected later. If you also smoke or are overweight, the risk of heart problems increases. So if you have problems, go not only to the urologist, but also to the cardiologist.

Stroke or heart attack

This item is derived from the previous one. Erectile dysfunction is only one of the signs of narrowing of the lumen of the arteries. If the vessels do not allow blood to enter the organ, the tissues of this organ are damaged due to lack of blood supply. This leads to impaired blood flow, stroke or heart attack.

In recent years, many studies have been conducted confirming this relationship . Professor at the Baylor Medical College, Dr. Mohit Hera, says that 15% of men with erectile dysfunction earn serious cardiovascular diseases for seven years .

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most dangerous diseases for potency, which affects both blood flow and the nervous system. Men with diabetes are six times more likely to get erectile dysfunction than those who do not have it .

Dementia

Men with erectile dysfunction suffer from dementia and a half times more likely than men without problems with potency th. This does not mean that dementia appears due to impotence or vice versa. Direct dependence of one from the other is not detected. Simply, these are two consequences of the same violation: atherosclerosis, for example.

Prostate cancer

By itself, prostate cancer is not the cause of erectile dysfunction. But the treatment of this cancer may well lead to side effects. During the operation, there is a risk of damaging the nerves, radiation therapy and strong drugs also do not contribute to normal potency – the treatment affects blood vessels, without which there is no erection.

Liver disease

The worse the erection is, the more serious the problem with the liver can be. Dysfunction is one of the symptoms of liver cirrhosis.

When liver disease increases the level of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and decreases the level of albumin. These are two proteins that affect the level of testosterone – the sex hormone that affects the potency.

Not enough hormone – no erection, although not only this leads to dysfunction. If the liver is sick because of alcohol, then the cause of sexual failures may lie in the influence of ethanol.

What to do

To start, do not rush for the tablets that improve potency, because:

• They do not cure the cause, but only eliminate the symptom.
• If you do not engage in your body, you can skip a serious illness.

The best protection against erectile dysfunction is prevention, that is, a normal healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, healthy sleep, and moderate exercise. Do not start the problem and live life to the fullest.