| IMPOTENCE. It is an age-term for a sexual disorder that a lot of men still face nowadays – the disorder of not being able to attain or maintain an erection until ejaculation. It is also called erectile dysfunction (ED). This disorder is so irritating that many males are powerless to deal with it.
It is estimated that as many as 30 million men in the United States suffer from ED. Still, inspite of a host of treatments, only 10% of men seek aid.
SPECIFYING THE PROBLEM
Rare as it is, primary impotence means that a man has never had an erection sufficient for intercourse. Secondary ED, a loss of erectile ability after normal function, usually proceeds gradually unless triggered by injury or sudden condition.
Psychological problems were once supposed to cause male sexual dysfunction. But we now know that conditions such as strain, depression and fear of sexual powerlessness are at the causes of only 10% to 20% of ED. In most cases it is caused by physical factors, for instance blood vessel disorders, neurological problems, abnormalities in the genital area. Male sexual dysfunction can also be an adverse reaction to certain prescriptions and drugs obtained without a prescription. Nonetheless, whatsoever the causes are, males who experience impotence are commonly tense and feel guilty and powerless.
WHY ARE MALES AT RISK?
Primarily, age. The older you turn, the higher your risk for sexual disorder is. Older males have more physical reasons for a lack of arousal in comparison with younger men.
The penis requires adequate blood flow to become erect. So, it is not surprising that blood vessel problems – such as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries – are often to put the blame on, in particular because these conditions are common in middle-aged to older men. Since smoking greatly reduces arterial flow, continuous cigarette use also adversely impacts on erections at any age.
But ED can also be triggered by damage to penile nerves resulted from many factors, particularly injury and chronic conditions, such as diabetes. In fact, peripheral neuropathy, a particular pattern of nerve damage related to diabetes, is one of the most frequent causes of impotence, since diabetes brings on narrowing of the arteries, constricting penile blood flow.
Besides, surgery on the prostate gland, bladder, rectum or colon or prolonged exposure to radiation can also intervene with nerve signals between the brain and sexual organs, thus impeding erections. Without nerve-sparing techniques, for instance, prostate gland cancer operation can bring on nerve damage located near the genitals. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases causing neurological complications can also make you impotent.
As for hormonal imbalances, such as a lack of testosterone, they seldom trigger sexual dysfunction.
The cause of ED and your life-style determine the treatment you and your family doctor select. |
