Impotence/Erection Problems
What is impotence?
Impotence is the inability of a man to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. It is also known as erectile dysfunction. Occasional failure to achieve an erection is a common phenomenon and does not constitute a medical problem.
Impotence can refer to a total inability to have an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or the ability to sustain only brief ones.
The risk of becoming impotent increases with age.
What causes impotence?
Often, impotence has a physical cause, such as an injury or because of drug side effects. However, there may also be psychological reasons, such as depression and anxiety.
An erection is the result of an interaction between the blood circulation system, the nervous system, the hormonal balance and a number of psychological factors. Because this is such a complex mechanism, disruption at any level can result in impotence.
What are some of the physical causes of impotence?
* Chronic alcohol abuse.
* A disease of the nervous system, such as MS (multiple sclerosis).
* Diabetes can, in some cases, result in erection difficulties.
* Side effects from certain drugs, such as some antidepressants or some drugs used to treat high blood pressure (anti-hypertensives).
What are some of the psychological causes of impotence?
* Depression.
* Performance anxiety (worrying about how you will perform during sex).
* Stress.
* Relationship problems.
How is impotence treated?
The treatment of impotence will depend on the cause. For example, if the cause is psychological, you may be referred to a psychotherapist to get to the root of the problem. Such treatment is successful in the majority of cases, even where the impotence has been long-term.
If it is suspected that impotence is a side-effect of a medication, switching to a different class of drug may solve the problem.
Otherwise, you may receive some sort of drug therapy. In recent years, Viagra has become one of the most famous drugs in the world, due to its ability to help millions of men with the problem of impotence.
Other medical options include injections into the penis to bring about an erection. Penile implants are sometimes used, particularly for men who are permanently impotent. Some implants are inflatable by squeezing a small bulb placed in the scrotum to achieve an erection.
