Impotence

Inability to provide and experience sexual satisfaction is a serious problem, be it for a man or woman. It may be quite devastating to the self-esteem of the person affected and the partner. Impotence is one problem that can cause this. Fortunately there are new medical treatments to correct this problem, when psychological counseling is not able to provide benefits.

What is Impotence?

Impotence is the inability to attain or maintain an erection of the penis, adequate for the sexual satisfaction of both partners. Transient episodes of impotency may affect many men.

What are the causes of Impotency?

Many medical conditions may cause impotency. Usually these are associated with:

Advancing age, Diabetes and diseases of the blood vessels. Injuries to the spinal cord or brain, or neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Surgery or radiation to the prostate, bladder, rectum or colon, which can cause damage to nerves and interfere with transmission of information between the brain and the sexual organs to make erection and orgasm possible. Impotence may also be due to psychological causes, including stress, anxiety or depression, anger, fatigue, boredom, fear of failure, fear of infection if exposed to sexually transmitted disease and problems with self-esteem. In many cases, the causes are both psychological and physical.

What are the types of symptoms experienced by a person with impotence?

Not being able to have or maintain an erection is the only symptom of impotence. But there may be associated symptoms like depression, or symptoms due to other medical problems. Impotence may be transient or appear occasionally. Many men experience such a problem in their lives, at one point or the other. Impotence may develop gradually and become persistent. This type of impotence is most often due to medical reasons. Impotence due to psychological reasons usually develops abruptly. However, the person may be able to experience an erection early in the morning or while masturbating.

How is Impotence treated?

There are a number of options available today to treat impotence. But before starting treatment, it is important to understand that arousal takes a longer time as one grows old. Sexual satisfaction should be considered more important than performance. If the cause is thought to be psychological, it is important to review relationships with the partner and examine possible sources of stress and tension in life. Psychological counseling may be sought. However, if impotence is persistent, then medical help may be necessary. The most important and popular treatment for impotence used nowadays, is the drug sildenafil citrate. This drug is effective in 70% of men who use it. It is taken one hour before intercourse. It acts by allowing a normal erection in response to stimulation. Sildenafil is effective only if the man is psychologically aroused. Men who are taking nitroglycerin or nitrate tablets for their heart condition, should not use this drug. Combining these drugs can cause a drastic lowering of blood pressure. This drug should be taken only under the advice of a doctor - an urologist or an andrologist. Other treatments:

Papaverine injections can produce an erection. These are taken before sexual intercourse. These drugs may also improve long-term potency and penile blood flow. Prostaglandins may be inserted directly into the urethra to produce erections. Testosterone injections, administered under proper medical care, can help some men, but the amount of hormone necessary may vary from person to person. When impotency is due to problems with the blood vessels, surgery to open the arteries leading to the penis, may benefit some of the patients who opt for this treatment. When none of these treatments work, the last resort may be a penile implant. This may be a semi-rigid type that provides a permanent erection, or an expensive and sophisticated type, where the implant can be inflated by a pump mechanism placed beneath the skin of the scrotum.