What is impotence?

Impotence is also known as erectile dysfunction (ED) which is a medical condition that requires treatment. It is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for satisfactory sexual activity.

Who suffers from it?

Most men by the age of 40 are known to suffer from impotence at some point in their lives, because of either physiological or psychological reasons, or both. Previously associated with middle age, it now affects younger men too in varying degrees.

Is it normal to experience erectile dysfunction?

Yes, it’s perfectly normal. This medical condition is known to affect most men at some point throughout their adult lives and can be brought on due to a number of physical and psychological problems. As soon you notice you are experiencing this condition, you should seek medical advice to help remedy your problem. Recent figures have shown that men wait on average up to five years before seeking help for their problem.

What causes impotence?

The causes are numerous but in the end what is affected is penile circulation. In around 70% of cases, the physical causes of impotence are nerve damage or poor blood flow. If a man has early morning erections and can masturbate to climax then the cause is likely to be psychological, which makes up the remainder of cases. However, most men suffer from a combination of physical and psychological reasons; even if the cause is physical to start with, the psychological effects can make the problem worse.

Does smoking and drinking affect this condition?

Most men smoke and drink socially, and both these habits can hamper erectile function. Smoking damages the blood vessels which in turn reduces blood flow to the penis. The effects of smoking are worsened if you suffer from other attributing conditions, such as hypertension or high blood pressure. Alcohol on the other hand slows down the central nervous system which can make it much more difficult to get an erection.

Can young men get erectile dysfunction?

Yes, more and more young men are faced with erectile dysfunction, although the chances of getting this problem whilst you are young is significantly less than for those who are older. Clinical studies state that 5% of the total population of men under the age of 40 suffer from this problem at any given time. In men who are over this age, the risk can increase as much as five fold.

Can I seek treatment for erectile dysfunction?

Almost 95% of the men suffering from erectile dysfunction have treatable conditions. Penile blood flow is the heart of an erection and the variety of treatment options address the inflow of blood to the penile tissue. On the other hand, sex therapy may be useful for patients suffering from a psychological induced form of impotence.

How common is impotence?

Unfortunately, impotence is extremely common. It has been estimated that over 20-30 million men suffer from erectile dysfunction; but, only a small percentage of them seek or receive treatment.

Is impotence really an emotional or psychological problem?

Yes, but that is the case in a very small percentage of the male population. While it’s true that men can suffer from erectile dysfunction because of emotional or psychological reasons, in up to 90% of the cases it is a physical or a medical cause like diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure that is directly responsible for erectile dysfunction.