Impotence or chronic erectile dysfunction (ED) is no longer a taboo subject and for the greater majority, this problem is solvable. A man is considered impotent if he does not have the ability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for normal sexual intercourse.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erections result from a complex combination of brain stimuli, blood vessel and nerve function, and hormonal actions. Anything that interferes with any of these factors can lead to impotence, and that can include; arteriosclerosis or peripheral vascular disease, the use of certain medications, alcohol, or cigarettes, a history of sexually transmitted disease, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
1. Diabetes
Impotence is extremely common in men who have diabetes; the estimate is that 50 percent of men with diabetes are impotent and that the other 50 percent will become impotent over time.
2. Hormonal imbalance
Hormonal imbalances such as low levels of thyroid hormone may also contribute to the problem. Low levels of the hormone testosterone are rarely the cause of ED. Testosterone is responsible for the process of desire, not for ED – but of course, lack of desire may be the problem. If the desire is not there in the first place, it is difficult to either get or maintain an erection.
3. Drugs
In the past, it was assumed that impotence was primarily a psychological problem, but as many as 85 percent of all cases of impotence have some physical basis.
The Association of Male Sexual Dysfunction recognizes over 200 drugs that may cause impotence. Some of the most common are alcohol, antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensives, cancer chemotherapy, diuretics, narcotics, nicotine, sedatives, steroids (if abused), stomach acid inhibitors, and ulcer medications.
4. Atherosclerosis and unhealthy lifestyle habits
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries (one type of arteriosclerosis), poses a risk to the condition of both the heart and the penis (impotence can, in fact, be a symptom of this disorder). Most people today know smoking and eating fatty foods can lead to the production of plaques that clog arteries and block the flow of blood to the heart. These plaques also can block the arteries leading to the genitals, interfering with the ability to attain an erection.
5. Other causes of erectile dysfunction
Loss of libido (sexual desire) may be caused by depression, illness, or medications, and of cause a waning attraction to one’s partner.
Essentially, ED may be chronic or recurring, or it may occur as a single isolated incident. One or two occurrences, however, are rarely thought of as impotence, although they may be upsetting at the time. Most of the men who have this problem are age forty or over (one in three men over sixty is affected), but those under forty may also have the problem.
Erectile dysfunction treatment
Upon establishing the root cause of impotence, treatment is geared towards:
- Improving blood flow to the genital area
- Increasing sexual desire
- Normalising prostate function
- Improving erectile ability
- Promoting endurance
If you suspect that impotence may be related to a drug you are taking, discuss it with your physician. There may be satisfactory alternatives that will not cause this problem.
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