Types of Impotence: Physical

The symptoms of physical impotence or erectile dysfunction will occur gradually over a period of time and there will be signs of impotence in all sexual activities. The most common medical causes of impotence or erectile dysfunction are heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. There are other causes that would be investigated in the diagnosis process since there are many illnesses that are attributed with causing impotence or erectile dysfunction. With the male genitals themselves there could be a problem such as excessive blood drainage in the penis, blocked arteries restricting blood flow to the penis, disease or damage to the nerves in the penis, or disease to the erectile tissue. Other physical conditions that can cause impotence are high cholesterol, smoking, side effects to prescription drugs such as diurectics and antidepressants, excessive drinking, drug abuse, strokes, liver failure and kidney failure.