Erectile impotence precipitated by organic factors and perpetuated by performance anxiety

A survey of 72 men with erectile impotence showed that for 14 the onset had been concurrent with the start of a temporary physical disability (in 8), temporary exposure to a chemical agent in doses thought to be significant (in 4) or the return of sexual opportunity after a long period of celibacy or near-celibacy (in 2 older men). After elimination of that possible cause the impotence had persisted owing to anxiety about sexual performance. In another 6 of the 72 there were persistent nonpsychic causes for the impotence. Thus, in 28% of the men surveyed the precipitating cause of erectile impotence was organic. A large proportion of the cases of erectile impotence participated by a temporary nonpsychic factor could probably have been prevented with appropriate professional advice--for example, at the time an antihypertensive drug capable of causing the dysfunction was first prescribed.