Hormone disorders

Impotence may also be caused by hormonal abnormalities such as a low level of testorone, an increased prolactin- a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, hypo- or hyperthyroidian response etc. testosterone is, generally, connected to aging as testosterone levels decline almost 1% yearly in men. This type of deficiency can cause a loss of libido- sexual appetite and, consequently, a loss of erection. Kidney or liver diseases may also induce hormone disorders.

Clinical trials developed in Florence, Italy in 2004 on 977 patients with erectile dysfunction revealed some interesting data in regard to patients' age and the organic, relational and intrapsychic factors influencing the erectile function. Tests were conducted by physicians in the Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence and included a thorough physical examination, biochemical, hormonal, psychometric and penile vascular tests. Results were conclusive: organic factors are main determinants of ED while hormonal disturbances play only a small role in the pathogenesis of ED. Moreover there wasn't observed any symmetry between the everity of erectile dysfunction and testosterone level.
In fact, medical reports say that hormone imbalances account for less than 50% of cases of ED.