Loss of sex drive and impotence are very common in men and women as they age, and talking with your doctor can alleviate fears, as there are many treatment options. Stress is a key factor in one's sexual health. The simple act of fearing that you may not be able to get an erection can in itself cause erectile dysfunction. When partners are on the opposite end of the libido scale, it is important to communicate and find ways to pleasure each other when intercourse is not possible.

It is normal for the majority of men to experience erectile dysfunction (impotence) at least once in their lives. After men reach the age of 65, impotence becomes more common. They experience changes in erectile function as they experience changes in the rest of their bodies; it is a part of the natural process. Orgasms may not seem as powerful and erectile recovery after orgasm may take longer. There are several specific symptoms of impotence: the inability to achieve a full erection, to maintain an erection during intercourse, or to have an erection at all.

There are two facets to maintaining an erection, one is physical, and one is mental. The physical process is relatively strait forward: the penis has two cylindrical structures (corpora cavernosa) that are made of a sponge like material and run the entire length of the penis. This erectile tissue fills with blood when the male is aroused, and like a wet sponge, this tissue expands up to seven times its normal size, forming an erection. After ejaculation, the penis returns to its normal size.

The mental process is often the cause of erectile dysfunction. Arousal levels often determine the quality of an erection. The longer the arousal, the harder the penis becomes. Men can become aroused by any of the five senses: taste, touch, smell, and more commonly by visual and auditory stimulation. This mental state causes the nervous system to stimulate blood flow to the penis.

Erectile dysfunction occurs when this delicate balance between the physical and mental facets of the erection process is disrupted.

The mental causes of erectile dysfunction include: stress (this could be from work, or family, or both), psychological problems, anxiety (about finances, children, or life in general), fatigue, depression, negative feelings (toward yourself, spouse, or circumstances around you), resentment, hostility, or a genuine lack of interest.

The physical causes of erectile dysfunction include: diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes), cardiovascular disorders (which can affect the blood flow to the penis), prescription medications (talk to your doctor and find out if any of your medications are a potential cause of ED), cancer or prostate operations, spinal cord fractures, multiple sclerosis (MS), hormonal imbalances, or alcohol and other forms of drug abuse.

Erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of a more serious medical problem. It is important to determine whether the symptoms of erectile dysfunction are physical or mental in nature.