10 Common causes of erectile dysfunction

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can result from physical, psychological, or medication-related causes. 

Erectile dysfunction's identifiable and treatable causes can be found through a complete GP examination and tests. 

You can also be deemed medically fit and healthy, with no underlying health conditions, and still experience erectile dysfunction. 

Finding no apparent cause for your erectile dysfunction can often make it feel more challenging to find a permanent cure.

If there is no straightforward or treatable cause, erectile dysfunction medication can often be a convenient choice for men with erectile dysfunction.

Find out more ways to treat erectile dysfunction in our article, The Complete Guide to Erectile Dysfunction.

Psychological causes

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction can include stress, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems.

Stress from work, conflict or tension between you and your partner, as well as performance anxiety or worries about your physical appearance, can all cause erectile dysfunction.

If you think you’re experiencing any psychological reasons for erectile dysfunction, you can go straight to a therapist or counsellor or book a consultation with your GP.

Physical causes

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, nerve damage, hormone imbalance, and obesity.

It's important to note that 90% of men with impotence have at least one underlying physical cause for their problem. It is always best to check for underlying health conditions with your GP. 

A GP will be able to test you for any of the medical conditions attributed to erectile dysfunction, as well as discuss your lifestyle choices to find out whether smoking, alcohol, or illicit drug use could be a potential factor. 

Medication causes

Antidepressants, blood pressure medications, anti-ulcer drugs, tranquilisers, diuretics, antihistamines, and anti-cancer drugs can all cause erectile dysfunction.

If you want to check if any medication you are taking could be causing your erectile dysfunction, you can speak to your GP, pharmacist and/or check your medication’s patient information leaflet for potential side effects.

Reasons why men in their 20s and 30s might have erectile dysfunction

It is normal for men in their 20s and 30s to also have erectile dysfunction for the same psychological, physical, and medication-related causes. 

Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking and illicit drug use, as well as health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and hormone imbalances, can happen to men at any age. 

Men in their 20’s and 30’s may also be prone to stress at work, sexual performance anxiety, conception anxiety, and relationship conflicts. 

There might not always be a cause of erectile dysfunction for men in their 20s and 30s. Young, fit and healthy males can also experience erectile dysfunction with no known cause.

What are 10 common causes of erectile dysfunction?

Ten common causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Low testosterone

• Drugs & alcohol

• Smoking

• Stress

• Obesity

• Depression

Understanding the common causes of erectile dysfunction can help you decide whether any of these conditions or lifestyle choices could be the cause of your erectile dysfunction.

Finding and addressing the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction can help you to find a cure for your erectile dysfunction.

Find out  whether erectile dysfunction can be cured permanently in our article, Is There a Permanent Cure for Erectile Dysfunction?

How to treat erectile dysfunction?

If there is no straightforward or treatable cause, erectile dysfunction medication can often be a convenient choice for men with erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra can be prescribed in the UK by a GP. 

Over-the-counter versions of Viagra and Cialis are available, such as Viagra Connect and Cialis Together. 

Although there are both GP-prescribed and over-the-counter versions of erectile dysfunction medications available in the UK, strict measures have been put in place to ensure that you are deemed eligible and safe to take erectile dysfunction medication before they can be supplied to you. 

You can find more information on accessing treatment in our article How To Access Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in the UK.

Looking for a free online consultation?

At Pharmacy2U, we offer free online erectile dysfunction consultations for men over the age of 18 with erectile dysfunction. 

You can fill out our form online to be assessed by one of our clinicians for a private and convenient way to see if you’re eligible for erectile dysfunction medication.

Advice and information to help erectile dysfunction