HORMONAL CAUSES OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Deficiency of hormones can play a major role in affecting the erection in men. The complex process of erection is related with the hormonal factors & presence of any hormonal defect can create an imbalance in the body & ultimately can affect the sexual functions.

The testes in the male body produce a hormone, known as “TESTOSTERONE”. This hormone helps in maintaining the sexual functions & sexual features in men. It also helps the men in developing the muscle mass & adequate levels of red blood cells.

When insufficient amount of testosterone is produced by the testes, it will affect a man’s sex drive. Low levels of testosterone can cause low libido, this condition is known as “HYPOGONADISM”. Low levels of testosterone can reduce man’s ability to have satisfying sex & can strongly contribute in making the condition of erectile dysfunction even worse. Low testosterone levels in a man's body can cause nerve damage and can interfere with the production of nitric oxide, which is an important signaling molecule found naturally in the body that plays an important role in proper erectile function.

 

 

   COMMON CAUSES OF LOW TESTOSTERONE

  Insufficiency of testosterone can occur due to variety of reasons:

• Any injury, trauma or infection of the testes like “ORCHITIS” (inflammation of testicles), which is capable enough to interrupt the blood supply to the testes.

• Aging is another important cause of low testosterone in men; with age the levels of this hormone starts reducing.

• Dysfunction of pituitary gland due to presence of any tumor in the gland.

• Any underlying acute or chronic illness like acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, obesity, severe primary hypothyroidism etc.

• Underlying condition of HIV/AIDS.

• Alcohol abuse can also alter the normal production of testosterone.

• Pubertal delay in some men can affect the production of testosterone.

• Head injury and/or exposure of head to radiation therapy or any prior surgery of head can also contribute in the lowering the levels of testosterone.