What can I do if I can't get an erection?
Erectile problems, or impotence, carries a wide variety of causes. Generally, erectile problems can be classed or grouped into three or four different types. In younger patients, by far the commonest cause is a psychological cause. Patients are stressed, they are anxious, and the problem with erections is, if during one sexual relationship, you are unable to perform the way the man would like to, the next time around, he is going to be much more aware of his problem and, therefore, much more likely not to be able to have an erection simply because of his concern. That is the most common cause of erectile problems in younger patients. Another cause to consider in younger patients is alcohol. Under the influence of an excessive amount of alcohol, it is sometimes difficult to have an erection, and many men are not aware of that. That's a second consideration. However, more physical causes of erectile problems tend to take more importance in older patients - hormonal problems, such as inadequate or insufficient testosterone production, but maybe more importantly, blood supply and blood flow to the penis. Erectile problems are often caused by circulatory problems within the penis in older patients. Patients who will be more susceptible to this are patients who are diabetic, who have had high blood pressure, who have been smokers or who might have another reason for circulatory problems. This can be assessed by Doppler Ultrasound techniques, and there are a number of medications that can help with this erectile problem.
