Male impotence, sometimes referred to as erectile dysfunction, is defined as the inability of the penis to stay erect long enough to have sexual intercourse. Impotence is a common problem among men and is characterized by the consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse or the inability to achieve ejaculation, or both. Erectile dysfunction can vary.
Underlying Or Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Many times, male impotence may signify the presence of other physical conditions. Damage to the nerves that play a role in penile erection can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Perhaps the two more common causes of male impotence in terms of medical conditions are:
- Cardiovascular-related diseases: including heart disease, hardened blood vessels (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure (hypertension) and even high cholesterol, can impede blood flow to the penis.
- Diabetes mellitus: small blood vessels and nerves tend to become damaged in individuals seriously affected with diabetes. As a result, erectile dysfunction is often a side effect, due to both nervous and vascular reasons.
Impotence can arise through multiple causes, both physical and psychological. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) reports that around 85 percent of ED cases are physically based. This is because many medical conditions share the same problem: the inability for blood vessels to allow blood to flow through them normally.
Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health problems can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction.
In most cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include:
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
Lifestyle Choices
Bad habits can also be a common cause for male impotence in the long run. If you practice any of the habits below, it may be wise to discard those lifestyle choices to prevent an elevated risk for erectile dysfunction.
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Substance abuse
Risk Factors
A variety of risk factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction. They include:
- Medical conditions, particularly diabetes or heart problems.
- Certain medical treatments, such as prostate surgery or radiation treatment for cancer.
- Psychological conditions, such as stress, anxiety or depression.
- Prolonged bicycling, which may compress nerves and affect blood flow to the penis, can lead to temporary erectile dysfunction.
Treatment Side Effects
Medical treatment for conditions can come in many ways, depending on the condition. Some forms of treatments that may cause erectile dysfunction include:
- Extensive radiation
- Treatments for cancer
- Prostate medication and/or therapy
- Surgeries involving the pelvic area
- Surgeries involving the spinal cord or nerves associated with penile erection
Communication is key in every relationship. Not only can good communication relieve stress, anxiety and pressure related to male impotence, it can also increase sexual satisfaction between both partners.