Neurological Problems - Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction: Mens Sexual Health
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Neurological problems
Damage to any of the nerves that produce sensation or relay messages to arteries in the penis can also cause impotence. Diabetes is the most common cause of this kind of nerve damage. But degenerative diseases of the nervous system (such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease) and substance abuse can also harm the nerves involved in erections.
Likewise, erectile dysfunction can result from a spinal cord injury or as a side effect of various kinds of surgery. Because the nerve pathways to the penis travel near the prostate, bladder, and rectum, removing any of these organs to treat cancer can sever some of these nerves, leading to problems. In addition, vitamin B12 deficiency, which is a cause of anemia, can damage the spinal cord, causing neurological problems throughout the body.
| Last updated: | September 05, 2008 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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