Venous Leak

Veins are compressed when blood fills the penis. This will help trap the blood in the penis. If these veins are not fully compressed, then blood can leave the penis. The inability to keep blood in the penis will make it difficult to reach or keep an erection. The compression of the veins may not occur, or may be weaker than it should if the blood vessels that are supposed to fill do not fill enough. Blood vessels may not fill enough because of injury or disease.

Neurovascular Function

An erection cannot be attained if nerve signals do not prompt blood vessels to do their job or if blood flow to the penis is reduced. Nerve problems can also diminish feeling in the penis, resulting in dysfunction.

Many medications can cause erectile dysfunction by impairing either blood vessel or nerve function.

Medical conditions can also have the same effect. Examples include:

• Diabetes
• Hardening of the arteries—arteriosclerosis
• Nerve damage that causes numbness and tingling in the extremities— peripheral neuropathy
• Spinal cord injury
• Surgery

Psychological Factors:

Psychological factors account for 10%-15% of erectile dysfunction cases. The brain initiates many of the nerve signals required for a successful erection. Problems in your relationship, feelings of guilt associated with sex, depression, anxiety, and stress can all lead to erectile dysfunction