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Diseases » Impotence » Hidden Causes

Misdiagnosis of Hidden Causes of Impotence



Contents

Underlying conditions list:

The list of possible underlying conditions mentioned in various sources for Impotence includes:

Impotence as a complication:

Other conditions that might have Impotence as a complication might be potential underlying conditions. The list of conditions listing Impotence as a complication includes:

Impotence as a symptom:

Conditions listing Impotence as a symptom may also be potential underlying conditions.

For a more detailed analysis of Impotence as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Impotence.

Discussion of underlying conditions of Impotence:

Impotence: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Since an erection requires a sequence of events, impotence can occur when any of the events is disrupted. The sequence includes nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, and area of the penis, and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa.

Damage to arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, often as a result of disease, is the most common cause of impotence. Diseases--including diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease--account for about 70 percent of cases of impotence. Between 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience impotence.

Surgery (for example, prostate surgery) can injure nerves and arteries near the penis, causing impotence. Injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, and pelvis can lead to impotence by harming nerves, smooth muscles, arteries, and fibrous tissues of the corpora cavernosa.

Also, many common medicines produce impotence as a side effect. These include high blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug).

Experts believe that psychological factors cause 10 to 20 percent of cases of impotence. These factors include stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure. Such factors are broadly associated with more than 80 percent of cases of impotence, usually as secondary reactions to underlying physical causes.

Other possible causes of impotence are smoking, which affects blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as insufficient testosterone. (Source: excerpt from Impotence: NIDDK)

Keep your nervous system healthy: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Autonomic nerves go to the penis. Damage to these nerves can prevent a man's penis from getting firm when he wants to have sex. This condition is called impotence (IM-po-tents). Many men who have had diabetes for many years experience impotence. (Source: excerpt from Keep your nervous system healthy: NIDDK)

Sexuality Later in Life - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

Sexuality is often a delicate balance of emotional and physical issues. How we feel may affect what we are able to do. For example, men may fear impotence will become a more frequent problem as they age. But, if you are too worried about impotence, you can create enough stress to cause it. As a woman ages, she may become more anxious about her appearance. This emphasis on youthful physical beauty can interfere with a woman’s ability to enjoy sex. (Source: excerpt from Sexuality Later in Life - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

About underlying conditions:

With a diagnosis of Impotence, it is important to consider whether there is an underlying condition causing Impotence. These are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Impotence. For general information on this form of misdiagnosis, see Underlying Condition Misdiagnosis or Overview of Misdiagnosis.


 » Next page: Misdiagnosis of Medication Causes of Impotence

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