The Effects of Disease States and Drugs On erectile Dysfunction
Diabetes is the most common cause of sexual dysfunction in men. It has been estimated that up to 50-60 percent of diabetic men have erectile dysfunction. Attention must be paid with diabetics to a diabetic neuropathy -- the loss of vibratory sensations of the lower extremities. With this disease, there is always the possibility of peripheral neuropathies. Other diseases that are associated with peripheral neuropathies include chronic renal failure, carcinomas, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, herpes zoster, anemias, breathing problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as a long list of hereditary neuropathies.
It is estimated that fifty percent or more of men with Multiple Sclerosis have erectile dysfunction. Bladder dysfunction can be also be associated with the erectile dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.
Parkinson's disease and temporal lobe abnormalities are risk factors for impotence.
Stroke and alcoholism create a very high risk because of damage to the testicles and the resulting decrease of testosterone in the body.
Aging is a common risk for erectile dysfunction, often related to a decrease of male hormones.
Chronic renal insufficiency is another potential factor. Many drugs used to treat the type of high blood pressure associated chronic renal insufficiency can cause erectile dysfunction, and many drugs are, by themselves, the culprit.