Erectile Dysfunction (ED) causes can be due to organic causes, mental, or neurological issues, hormonal insufficiencies, and side effects related to drugs.

Determining what causes ED can be difficult at first, especially if it is not a physical cause. As no formal test has been created to determine whether or not a male has erectile dysfunction. However blood tests can be run to determine whether or not the patient has an underlying physical condition, such as diabetes, or hypogonadism  - an underproduction of the testosterone hormone.

One way to determine the difference between physiological, and psychological causes of ED is whether that male never achieves and erection or if an erection sometimes achieved. A male who has never had an erection is most likely due to a psychological condition, where as sometimes, may indicate that it could by physical, or psychological.
Psychological concerns include stress that may be brought home from the workplace, or concerns over finances. This can lead to depression, and can further hindrance the male’s ability to achieve and sustain and erection. Low self-esteem, negative thoughts, and feelings of inadequacy can also be part of the issue as to why he cannot maintain an erection.

Physical concerns also contain within it, the life style of the male who suffers from Erectile Dysfunction. An overconsumption of alcohol sometimes referred to as whiskey dick or brewers droop can lead to ED. Excessive drug use can also impact a male’s erections, and continued abuse of a drug can lead to permanent complications. Smoking, which narrows the arteries, thus ED is said to be 85% higher in male smokers than in those who do not smoke.

Cancers surrounding or near the penis can also impact impotence, as prostate, bladder cancers require removing tissues with the cancerous cells, which may have a permanent impact on the ability to sustain an erection. Furthermore, radiation treatments can also impact the penis negatively.

Aging, can also be a concern, as the body ages, certain bodily functions may be less responsive, or not function at all. In most cases a male enhancement  pill can be taken such as Viagra, or Cialis, but older men who have erectile dysfunction may have also lead a lifestyle that was in excess, and is now causing complications with achieving an erection.