Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects thousands of men every year. It is defined as the inability of a man to obtain or maintain an erection. For many men, it also means the inability to ejaculate during sexual intercourse. Most men will experience impotence at some time or another in their lives. Studies have shown however that the disorder is much more commonly found in older men and may be associated with the act of growing older.
Impotence that happens rarely or only on occasion is not considered to be a serious condition. However, impotence that is prolonged or continues for some time may bring emotional distress for both the patient and his sexual partner and should be treated. It is believed that psychological factors only make up for around ten to twenty percent of impotence. Psychological causes of impotence may include anxiety disorders and/or depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship difficulties, mental fatigue, psychological trauma or abuse and problems with sexual identity. Emotional causes of impotence may include stress, anger, fear, worry and lack of interest in the act of sex or in a specific sexual partner.
It is important to note that impotence may be and is often the first indication of an underlying medical problem. The most commonly found physical causes of impotence include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate surgery, kidney and/or liver disease, lower bowel or lower spine surgeries, high cholesterol and/or poor blood circulation, certain injuries, hormone and thyroid problems, Peyronie’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Visiting your doctor is important particularly if you have any of these listed diseases. Your doctor will do a thorough examination and may ask you for a complete sexual and medical history. Blood tests may also be done as well as other tests on the groin and pelvic area to rule out any other medical conditions.
Impotence can also be caused by many lifestyle factors. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, certain drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, anabolic steroids and heroin and a lack of exercise can all lead to impotence. Making changes to your lifestyle to include a healthy diet and plenty of exercise may help to alleviate problems with impotence if your doctor rules out any physical causes of the disorder.
There are certain medications that can cause impotence as well. If you are taking specific medications, be certain to discuss with your doctor the potential side effects including the risk of impotence. Medications that can cause impotence include many blood pressure drugs, tranquilizers, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, antihistamines, appetite suppressants and many beta blockers that are designed to control high blood pressure and angina.
Making specific lifestyle changes will help you to prevent impotence as well as to improve both your psychological and your general health. Eating a healthy diet is important for overall general health as well as the prevention of impotence. Exercise is also very important in controlling your general health and avoiding impotence. It is also important to remain sexually active which allows you to maintain a good flow of blood to the penis. This can help to stop many of the causes of impotence before you are affected. If you are affected by impotence, it is important to see your doctor. He or she can order a series of tests to determine whether the problem is psychological or medical. If a medical condition is found, you can be treated for that condition and will likely alleviate the problem of impotence. If a psychological cause is found, many steps can be taken to ensure a better overall mental health. The key is in visiting your doctor right away to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be considered serious or life-threatening.
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