When discussing impotence in men and the causes, first you must identify what male impotence is. Male impotence is not being able to have an erection or not being able to keep it. This particular disorder is also known as erectile dysfunction.

It is believed that nearly 15 million Americans suffer from this problem. However, its effects can be reversed most of the time. Dependent on the cause, either medication, surgery, implants, or counseling can be the answer to curing the impotence.

Male impotence can afflict any age at any time and has many different causes. The first difference is whether it is primary or secondary impotence. Primary is having impotence sense birth, while secondary is getting it later in life. Another difference is whether the cause is biological or psychological. However, biological problems are more prevalent.

The veins and nerves in the penis are the most common culprit when dealing with male impotence. Hormones being another big player, if you have too much or too little of a particular hormone you could experience male impotence. However, the sex drive is the one that suffers in the case of hormones, not actually a person’s ability to get an erection.

Male impotence can also be the result of substance abuse. Alcohol, smoking, and illegal drugs all play a role in making it so men cannot achieve an erection. Smoking in particular can even affect the sperm badly. Smoking can cause blockages in arteries and can cause restriction of blood flow to the penis.

When discussing alcohol exclusively, if used in excess, the nervous system can be damaged. It interrupts the signals that run from the brain to the penis. When male impotence is caused exclusively by alcohol, it is called alcohol impotence. Alcohol may also attack the hormones responsible for sex drive and thus lower it.

By removing certain habits from your life, male impotence need not be something you have to deal with. It is a very treatable problem that you and your doctor can discuss.