Taking certain medications can affect blood flow, which can lead to ED. You should never stop taking a medicine without a discussion with your doctor, even if it’s known to cause impotence.

Examples of medications known to cause impotence include:

• alpha-adrenergic blockers, including tamsulosin (Flomax)
• beta-blockers, such as carvedilol (Coreg) and metoprolol (Lopressor)
• cancer chemotherapy medications, such as cimetidine (Tagamet)
• central nervous system depressants, such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and codeine (found in various brand name drugs)
• central nervous system stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamines
• diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and spironolactone (Aldactone)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil)
• synthetic hormones, such as leuprolide (Eligard)

Depression and anxiety also contribute to increased risk for impotence. Depression is a feeling of sadness, loss of hope, or helplessness. Fatigue related to depression can also cause impotence.

Performance anxiety can be another cause of impotence. If a man wasn’t able to achieve an erection in the past, he may fear he won’t be able to achieve an erection in the future. Men may  find that they can’t achieve an erection with a certain partner. The fear of failing again with the same partner can cause performance anxiety. You may find you are able to have full erections when masturbating or when sleeping, yet you aren’t able to maintain an erection during intercourse.

The body’s endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood, and so much more.  Diabetes is the number one endocrine system organic cause of impotence.

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to utilize the hormone insulin. One of the side effects associated with chronic diabetes is nerve damage. Other complications associated with diabetes are impaired blood flow and hormone levels.

Several neurological diseases can cause impotence.  Diseases such as dementias, Multiple Sclerous, Parkinson’s, and brain injuries to name a few illnesses.

Men who have had prostate gland surgery can also experience nerve damage that causes impotence.

And did you know long distance bicycle riders can also experience temporary impotence. The reason is because of the repeated pressure on the buttocks and genitals. This pressure can affect the function of the nerves.

Unhealthy lifestyles can contribute to impotence.  Smoking, the abuse of drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine. Men with alcoholism and alcohol abuse cannot maintain a full erection during intercourse.  Men who are obese can find it difficult to be intimate.

What Are The Percentages?

The National Institutes of Health estimates that erectile dysfunction strikes as many as 30 million men in the United States. Its prevalence does increase with age — 4 percent of men in their 50s are affected by ED, 17 percent in their 60s, and 47 percent of those over 75.