Types of Erectile Dysfunction

Types of Erectile Dysfunction

There are different levels of erectile dysfunction:

A total inability to achieve erection
The occasional ability to achieve erection
An inability to maintain erections
The ability to achieve erection, but inability to control ejaculation

Erectile dysfunction is divided into two etiologic categories: psychogenic and organic.

Most causes of erectile dysfunction were once considered to be psychogenic, but current evidence suggests that up to 80 percent of cases have an organic cause. Organic causes are subdivided into vasculogenic, neurogenic and hormonal etiologies.

Vasculogenic etiologies represent the largest group, with arterial or inflow disorders being the most common. Abnormalities of venous outflow (corporeal veno-occlusive mechanism) are much less common. Regardless of the primary etiology, a psychologic component frequently coexists.

The severity of erectile dysfunction is often described as mild, moderate or complete, although these terms have not been precisely defined. Erectile ability is just one aspect of normal male sexual function.