In this work, from the standpoint of the law of "hysteriosis" discovered by N. E. Vvedensky and the teachings of I. P. Pavlov on higher nervous activity, an attempt was made to explain some pathogenetic mechanisms of impotence, in particular spinal, which occurs, according to I. M. Porudominsky, in 40-50% of all cases. A classification of impotence according to the pathogenetic principle has been created.