N48: Other disorders of penis

N48.4: Impotence of organic origin

The penis contains erectile tissue. The erectile tissue of the penis becomes engorged with blood when you are sexually aroused. This causes you to have an erection. If the erectile tissue of the penis is not filled with enough blood, the penis does not become erect.

There is a physical reason why you cannot achieve a full erection. You may have a vascular disorder, for example. This prevents the erectile tissue of the penis from becoming properly engorged with blood. There may also be an imbalance of certain messenger substances in your body. Messenger substances are also important for ensuring that the erectile tissue of the penis can become engorged with blood. Some medication or older age can also be responsible for preventing proper erections.