Impotence is the inability to achieve or to sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse. ED (erectile dysfunction) is a common, treatable condition and its incidence increases with age.
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) ?
Impotence is the inability to achieve or to sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse. ED (erectile dysfunction) is a common, treatable condition and its incidence increases with age.
Psychological causes of impotence include :
- Stress and anxiety from work or home.
- Worry about poor sexual performance.
- Martial discord.
- Unresolved sexual orientation.
- depression.
Other causes are due to defective blood flow or nerve function to the penis.
How can couples work together ?
Couples need to communicate openly and honestly with each other. Most importantly, couples need to confront any concerns they may have about ED by discussing their feelings and reassuring each other that they still care. Couples need to maintain this communication throughout the treatment process.
Risk factors for ED ?
- Age above 50 years.
- Diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol).
- Smoking.
What can be done for ED ?
Changing habits and medications
Quitting smoking and changing prescriptions medications may help address the condition.
- Hormone medications
- Professional counselling
- Oral medication
- Drugs like Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) has been introduced which acts to increase nitric oxide levels and other primary mediators of erection. Studies to suggest drug is effective in selected group of patients. However drug has to be used under medical supervision as it has been found to have known interactions with other drugs and should be used with caution in cardiac patients.
- Vacuum Therapy
- Injection Therapy
- Surgical Treatment
- Penile prostheses
- Regaining sexual function
