Q1. What is impotence?
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Q2. What can be done for men who have an impotence problem?
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Q3. When and in whom does erectile dysfunction occur?
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Q4. What causes impotence?
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Q5. How is impotence diagnosed?
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Q6. How is impotence treated?
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| Q1. |
What is impotence? |
| A1. |
Impotence is the chronic inability to have an erection that is rigid enough, and that can be sustained for a long enough period, to complete sexual intercourse for at least half of the times sexual intercourse takes place.
Many men experience short episodes of impotence. Temporary impotence can be caused by stress or by drinking too much alcohol.
But overall, one in ten men are continually unable to have an erection firm enough for successful sexual intercourse.
If your erections do not become firm enough to allow for vaginal penetration, you have impotence. If your erections have the necessary rigidity, but are only firm for a brief period, you may have an impotence problem. If your erection loses its strength upon penetration, you probably have the problem.
If any of these scenarios fit you, it may be time to admit it, and begin to move towards a treatment that can change your life.
The purpose of this information resource is to provide a better understanding of impotence (also referred to as erectile dysfunction), information on why it occurs and what treatment options are now available. |
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| Q2. |
What can be done for men who have an impotence problem? |
| A2. |
A lot of men become sexually impotent but never admit it to themselves. Sadly, this denial prevents them from enjoying sexual activity on a regular basis. A man who behaves in this way has a lot of company. Up to one in ten men are impotent but only 5% of them have ever been treated for it.
Ignoring the problem of impotence was normal behaviour years ago, but sexual well-being is now moving to the forefront as a key indicator of total health. As more men are living longer, they have an interest in treating impotence. The pride factor is no longer the obstacle to treatment that it once was.
Today, there are many effective treatments to choose from – both surgical as well as non-surgical. But the first step is to admit that there is a problem.
Impotence, whether it is due to diabetes or some other cause, does not have to be permanent. Virtually every patient with impotence can be helped. And, in many cases, couples may choose between several effective treatment options.
If you have impotence, please ask your physician for recommendations concerning the steps to be taken to have your problem evaluated and treated. |
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| Q3. |
When and in whom does erectile dysfunction occur? top |
| A3. |
Erectile dysfunction can occur in men at any age. According to studies by the National Institute of Health, 5% of men have some degree of erectile dysfunction at the age of 40, and approximately 15%-25% of men have the same problem at the age 65 or older. Erectile dysfunction affects men of all races and crosses all ethnic and economic boundaries. |
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| Q4. |
What causes impotence? |
| A4. |
A man's inability to have and maintain an erection can be caused by many disorders. The causes can be either physical or psychological. Accordingly, impotence is classified into two types:
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Physical Impotence: may result from damage to the nerves, or to the blood vessels that control the flow of blood to the penis. It may also be caused by problems with hormones – substances in the bloodstream that affect or control the activity of some organs.
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Psychological Impotence: can be the result of fear, stress, worry, anger or frustration. Often, this type of impotence develops from 'performance anxiety' – a man's fear that he won't perform well during sexual intercourse. Stress caused by problems on the job, marital problems or financial difficulties can also lead to this type of impotence.
For many years, it was believed that 90% of impotent men had a psychological cause for their problem. However, as a result of recent medical research, it is now known that for at least half of the men suffering from impotence, the cause can be traced to a physical problem.
Impotence can also be caused due to diabetes. Of all the conditions male diabetics face, impotence is the most personal. But it is also very common. The overall incidence of impotence in men with diabetes is two to five times higher than it is in the general male population. This does not mean impotence for male diabetics is inevitable or permanent. |
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| Q5. |
How is impotence diagnosed? top |
| A5. |
For most men, the cause of impotence can now be identified fairly easily. Once identified, proper treatment can be recommended to help them return to a satisfactory sex life.
The first step in the diagnosis of impotence is to determine whether the impotence is physical or psychological. The physician may start by asking as to how the impotence developed.
After asking questions about the impotence, the physician will then conduct a thorough general examination. The physician usually performs tests to find out the cause of the impotence.
Other tests can determine if the blood flow to the penis is impaired. Still others will reveal as to whether hormone problems are causing impotence. |
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| Q6. |
How is impotence treated? |
| A6. |
Whether the impotence is caused by diabetes or has other causes, the problem can be overcome. As our understanding of impotence has increased, several new treatment options have been developed.
Depending upon the cause of impotence, the physician may recommend counselling or therapy, hormone injections, a change in prescription medications, self-injection of medication to cause erections, an external vacuum device or, occasionally, oral medication.
You should also discuss the option of surgical treatment. The most common surgical procedure to treat impotence is a penile prosthesis implantation. For a few select candidates, a surgery to correct a blocked artery or a leak in the pelvic veins may also be an option.
In many cases, several of these treatments may be appropriate to restore sexual potency. The patient may then choose the treatment method with which he feels most comfortable.
It is also very important to involve your sexual partner in this decision-making process. Couples who participate together in planning the treatment are almost always happy with the results. |
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