Erectile dysfunction (ED) can have many reasons, and these causes are often connected to each other in a complex way. Heart problems like high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, hormonal changes, nerve conditions, and side effects of some medicines are common physical reasons. Lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking too much booze, being overweight, and not exercising enough can also play a role.

Stress, worry, sadness, and problems in relationships are some of the mental issues that can play a big role in ED. Sometimes, both physical and mental factors work together to cause it. Finding the root cause is very important for treatment to work. Talking to a doctor is the only way to find out what's causing your ED and come up with a personalized treatment plan that could include changes to your lifestyle, therapy, medicines, or other actions.