| IMPOTENCE. It is an age-word for a sexual disorder men still have to deal with these days – the problem 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 a lot of men feel powerless when facing it.According to estimates, as many as thirty million males in the States suffer from ED. Nevertheless, inspite of a host of treatments, only 10% of sufferers search for medical aid.SPECIFYING THE PROBLEMRare as it is, primary ED means that a man has never had an erection sufficient for intercourse. Secondary erectile dysfunction, a more common loss of erectile ability after normal function, usually proceeds gradually unless triggered by injury or sudden disease.Psychological problems were once assumed to trigger impotence. But we now know that factors such as stress, depression and fear of sexual failure are at the root of only 10% - 20% of ED. It is typically triggered by physical factors, such as blood vessel problems, neurological disorders, penile abnormalities. Erectile dysfunction can also be an adverse reaction to certain prescriptions and drugs obtained over-the-counter. Nevertheless, whatsoever the causes are, it is typical of males who experience erectile dysfunction to have feelings of anxiety, guilt and low self-esteem.WHAT PUTS MALES AT RISK?Age, for starters. The older you are, the higher your risk for ED is. Older males have got many more physical reasons for a lack of arousal than younger men.The penis needs sufficient blood flow to become erect. Therefore, it is clear that blood vessel problems – such as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries – are often to blame, mainly since these diseases are common in middle-aged to older men. Since smoking decreases arterial flow, continuous cigarette abuse also badly impacts upon erectile function at any age.But male sexual dysfunction can also be a cause of the penile nerve damage brought on by many factors, mainly injury and chronic diseases, such as diabetes. In fact, peripheral neuropathy, a particular pattern of diabetes-related nerve damage, is one of the most frequent causes of impotence, as diabetics suffer from constricted arteries, which causes an insufficient blood flow to the genitals.In addition, surgery on the prostate gland, bladder, rectum or colon or prolonged exposure to radiation can also intervene with nerve signals between the brain and genitals, thus obstructing erections. Without nerve-sparing techniques, for example, prostate gland cancer operation can result in nerve damage near the penis. Other nerve-related complications – brought about by multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease – can also make you impotent.As for hormonal imbalances, such as a insufficient level of testosterone, they seldom trigger ED.The cause of sexual disorder and your way of life determine the treatment you and your doctor select. |
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