Male Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Now Available

Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction or sometimes just erectile dysfunction, is a common problem among men, characterized by the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Just how common is hard to quantify because even in today’s much more enlightened times less than 20% of men affected by erectile dysfunction seek help, but research suggests a figure of over 200 million people suffering from impotence in the Western world.

types of impotence

A. Transient impotence: Occasional erection problems are very common and more than 50% of men fail to achieve full sexual function at least once in their lives. This is not considered dysfunction, especially as one gets older.

b. Primary impotence: The patient with this condition never achieves a sufficient erection.

against Secondary Impotence: when the person has been able to complete intercourse in the past but now has problems.

Causes of male impotence

Statistics indicate an organic problem in 20% to 50% of men with erection problems.

Often both organic and psychological factors coexist, making it very difficult to easily identify one factor as the cause. Another complication is that many medications can affect the ability to get an erection.

Organic causes of impotence in men include: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and prostate cancer. External factors such as alcohol, steroids or drugs such as beta-blockers may be involved. Impotence can also be caused by a blood clot that prevents enough blood from flowing to the penis to cause an erection, or by general poor physical health, poor eating habits, and obesity.

Impotence that is triggered by psychological factors is more likely to come on suddenly and perhaps with just one person in particular. Psychological causes include; difficult relationships, guilt, fear, previous rejections, religion, depression, stress and anxiety.

Symptoms of various types of impotence and diagnosis

Secondary erectile disorders can be:

A. Partial: when the man cannot achieve a full erection.

b. Intermittent: where it is sometimes powerful with the same partner.

vs. Selective: where erection can only be achieved with certain partners.

In disorders caused by psychogenic problems, erection can still be achieved through masturbation. In such cases, there are often signs of sweating and palpitations.

A complete sexual history is needed to help differentiate between organic and psychogenic causes and between primary and secondary impotence.

Questions should include:

1. When did the condition start, was it sudden or gradual?

2. Can you get erections through masturbation?

3. Are you taking medications for other conditions?

4. What was your living situation when the problem first arose?

5. Do you have an underlying disease?

6. Are there personal problems at home?

impotence treatment

Impotence can have devastating effects on the psyche of men, as most men still associate sexual performance with self-esteem. They often feel insecure and frustrated, and unless they can communicate openly, they may start to avoid intimate situations with their partners.

Treatments, with the exception of testosterone supplements, which may be helpful in age-related impotence, work temporarily, allowing you to achieve and maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse, but do not improve permanently. the underlying condition.

Treatments for erectile dysfunction include: medications such as Viagra and Cialis, vacuum devices, counseling, injections directly into the penis, and penile prosthesis implants. Another innovative new drug, Uprima, works by stimulating the area of ​​the brain responsible for arousal and stimulation.

Alternative treatments for impotence include; herbal supplements such as Gingko Biloba, Hypericum and B vitamins that can help. Lately there have been reports of good success with the FDA listed strips being used in conjunction with their associated marine phytoplankton nutritional patches which help the body regulate the immune system and improve blood flow.

Some couples find that counseling enhances the effects of other forms of impotence treatment by strengthening their relationship.

Side effects of impotence treatments

Impotence drugs may increase the risk of vision loss in men who have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, and there have been reports of deaths allegedly associated with the use of these drugs.