Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
It is the most common sexual problem in men affecting 1/3 of men. The incidence increases with age and has a negative impact on intimate relationships, quality of life, and self-esteem.
It is responsible for a lot of ‘fights’ between partners especially if what they say they are quarrelling about seems trivial to others listening (in some cases i think).
More importantly, it may be a sign of an underlying heart disease (like a ‘heart attack coming’) and a financial drain for men who have it.
Let us talk about some causes of impotence and hopeful knowing this will help to prevent or resolve this problem
Psychological causes: This can be generalized (like the economic downturn, traffic stress etc.) or Situational (like personal problems with partner – doesn’t find partner attractive anymore, suspects partner is cheating, anxiety, depression, guilt, history of sexual abuse, marital or relationship problems, stress, sedentary lifestyle/lack of exercise.
Medications: Some antihypertensive medications, antidepressants and anxiety medications can cause impotence. Others like antihistamines (‘piriton’, ‘phernegan’ are examples of antihistamines), benzodiazepines (sleeping tablets like Valium and others) and antidepressants like SSRI’s may cause impotence.
Chronic diseases- Diabetes Mellitus increases the risk x3 in many instances, Hypothyroidism is another cause.
Neurologic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Epilepsy (temporal lobe), brain or spinal tumours, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia, quadriplegia are examples.
Risk factors include age (the higher the worsening), heart disease, cigarette smoking, surgery around the pelvic area, X-ray/CT scan of the pelvic area, high cholesterol, Hypertension, Illicit drug use like cocaine and methamphetamine.
What to do
Change your lifestyle: Reduce stress, exercise, reduce weight, sort out relationship problems with help of family/counsellor
Modify your medications: With the help of your doctor, get your chronic disease like diabetes etc. under control.
Don’t just buy medications from the chemist and use. This practice is common in many developing countries. Your so called ‘blood tonic’ or ‘antibiotic’ from the quack chemist may be the problem.
Again check with your doctor that you don’t have a high cholesterol or an underlying heart disease- don’t just pop the pills.
Pills- Viagra, Cialis, Levita are brand names that are effective. However, before you pop these pills make sure you are not on any tablet that is an organic nitrate (check with a medic), also use with caution if you have a structural deformation of your penis, have a bleeding disorder, liver or kidney disease.
In a nutshell, impotence is caused by many things. Try to find out why- don’t just pop pills and if you have to do so, make sure there are no contra indications to you doing so.
