Impotence is a condition also known as erectile dysfunction and it refers to the inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for the penis to penetrate the vagina and engage in sexual intercourse. This is a common problem and it affects an estimated 10-20 million men in America and it is more pronounced in the men aged between 40 and 70 years.
There are many causes of impotence but the major cause in men above 60 years is physically related. In this case, the leading cause is atherosclerosis which is basically the narrowing of nerves that restrict the flow of blood to the penis and resulting in the dysfunction. Another physical cause of erectile dysfunction is injury or diseases that attack the connective tissue such as the Peyronie’s disease. Surgeries which result in damage of the nerves surrounding the penis may also cause the condition.
Impotence can also be caused by neurological conditions such as the Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. Diabetes in men places them at a high risk of getting atherosclerosis and diabetic neuropathy which is a nerve disease thus making them vulnerable to contracting the erectile dysfunction condition.
The use of certain medications including some drugs used to treat blood pressure, antihistamines, tranquilizers and antidepressants can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and use of illicit drugs are also among other physical factors that cause the condition. Although erectile dysfunction has sometimes been attributed to low levels of the male hormone testosterone, there are very rare cases of this. The psychological factors which are related to erectile dysfunction may include: guilt, stress and anxiety.
One of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction is when the penis fails to achieve or maintain an erection in order to engage in sexual intercourse. Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction can only be done if this symptom lasts for longer than two months or reoccurs.
Diagnosis of this condition entails interrogating the patient in order to determine possible underlying causes of the condition. The doctor may look at the patient’s medical history to reveal related conditions and medications that may result in the condition. Physical examination of the patient may include measuring their blood flow through the penis, genital examinations and hormonal as well as glucose tests for diabetes to unearth any related conditions. Nocturnal penile tumescence testing is sometimes performed to determine whether the patient gets erections while asleep.
There are many treatments for erectile dysfunction depending on the cause of the condition. One of the treatment methods is vacuum therapy which involves insertion of the penis into a clear plastic cylinder and pumping on it to force out air from the cylinder. This creates a partial vacuum around the penis helping it to draw blood into the corpora cavernosa. Another treatment is the injection therapy which involves injecting the penis with a substance that enhances blood flow and causes its erection.
There are also drugs which help in combating impotence such as Viagra which widens the blood vessels of the penis. There are also implantable penis prostheses that are designed to make the penis rigid without blood flow. Herbal drugs have also been used for treatment.
