Impotence is now referred to as erectile dysfunction, the incapacity to maintain a firm erection long enough while having sex. Impotence is mainly used now to mean infertility.
Men generally find some discomfort when discussing their sexual health with friends or colleagues. They are even more reluctant to discuss it with their physician. Being open to discuss any sexual problem can bring about its solution.
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem. Many men experience impotence at some point in their lives and because it can be embarrassing for them to talk about it, the numbers who do suffer from this are far greater than actually reported. Its estimated erectile dysfunction affects one in four men at some point and will be diagnosed as such if the problem persists and is recurrent.
Having trouble maintaining an erection is not necessarily a matter of concern in itself. If it then becomes ongoing, it can affect self-esteem which may bring stress into a relationship or the fear you might lose your relationship altogether. All men suffering from erectile dysfunction usually suffer from emotional and psychological complexities which I will discuss in a moment.
Usually it was older men who were prone to suffer erectile dysfunction due to physical decay, debility, and disease, but today, younger men tend to be at risk of developing symptoms too. Environmental toxins and chemicals found in consumer products affect sperm count, sperm and cause testicular problems.
We should be able to obtain nourishment from foods, fragrances, the weather so they can flow through our bodies for health and wellbeing. But everything today is being compromised. The uncontrolled and unregulated use of chemicals in our world is becoming legendary.
Today thousands of chemicals exist which our ancestors never encountered. Pesticides infuse soil and water, man-made fibres surround us, ventilation systems house harmful bacteria, electromagnetic fields, and microwave pollution saturates us. Deodorants, laundry detergent, toothpaste, new carpet, and furniture all possess chemicals that affect human health. Our bodies are under constant attack on man-made substances in the environment causing an increase in immune-related illness.
There are many medical conditions that go toward failure to achieve an erection. These severe diseases can weaken the nerves such as:
– Atherosclerosis
– Chronic alcoholism
– Cardiovascular disease
– Diabetes
– Heart conditions
– High blood pressure
– Kidney disease
– Low testosterone
– Multiple sclerosis
– Neurological disease
– Thyroid problems
Surgery is another factor as it may injure arteries and nerves near the penis.
Another cause of erectile dysfunction is the side effects from prescription medicines for other complaints, antidepressants, antihistamines, appetite suppressants, beta-blockers, or tranquilizers which go on to interfere with the possibility of an erection. There may be a fault when nerve impulses to the brain and spinal column interact with response in veins, muscles, and fibrous tissue in the major chamber of the penis and surrounding area.
Erectile dysfunction can be treated successfully in nearly ninety percent of all cases. There are many medical treatments that combat this problem and the sufferer can then go on to enjoy healthy sex life.
There are testosterone boosters, prescription Viagra and Cialis which work when you feel stimulated to have sex, but you should not take these oral pills if you take nitrate medications for chest pains.
Injection therapy and penile implants or vacuum constriction devices are designed to support the erection for an extended period. How they work is a tube is placed over the penis to help with an improved flow of blood, then a ring is placed beneath the penis to support the erection.
A firm erection requires interaction between physical and mental factors. Let’s look at the non-physical factors considering the cause of erectile dysfunction. Stress is a big one. It is menacing to the whole reproductive system. It sucks out life energy with a devastating effect on the body. The stress from aging, shame, tiredness, anger, worry, financial burdens, work pressure can all create non-medical erectile dysfunction. On the other hand, some problems can vanish completely when the stress is removed.
It may be the relationship and not your failing erection that could be the problem. There may be anxiety from approaching intercourse in the wrong frame of mind.
Many men having trouble gaining an erection can go on to develop inhibited desire due to the anxiety and embarrassment erectile failure has caused. This ‘one-off’ incident may turn into a persistent problem through the fear of it happening again.
This becomes a psychological cycle. It makes you nervous if you experience some form of erectile dysfunction. Things did not happen, cause the worry it may not happen next time, that worry interferes with sexual response. This then creates a performance issue.
Here sex creates fear rather than enjoyment. Sexual interest and response are turned off just as many of the other non-essential body functions are when dealing with a threat, such as the immune system or digestion. You would not care about eating or having sex when threatened with any fearful situation. Fear has an important function. It can keep you alert and safe. In the correct situation, fear can give you the energy to escape or help you avoid something that may be dangerous.
Fear is a powerful emotion that can create very real physiological effects, some being cold hands and feet, a cold sweat, rapid breathing, dry mouth, trembling, and note this – a contraction of the sexual organs which will inhibit an erection.
If the fear instinct becomes attached to something that in reality is not threatening you, anxiety will result. If you are using your imagination to worry over sexual experiences then you need to change your thinking so you associate sex with relaxed enjoyment and we can do this by using your imagination as you will discover later.