Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the
inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.
Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease down the road. In practice, I have had to dispense medications to patients suffering from ED and it is not restricted to the elderly, a guy once told me vigor chocolate is his everyday therapy and he is not even thirty.
Symptoms of
Impotence
The main symptom of impotence is the
inability to achieve or sustain an erection. This is temporary in most cases.
However, impotence can have a negative effect on sex life. This happens when a
man is unable to maintain an erection long enough to continue sexual
intercourse. Psychological symptoms may occur if a man feels he isn’t satisfying
his partner. These symptoms include low self-esteem and depression. These can
cause impotence to become worse.
Causes of Impotence
All men will experience impotence at some
point in their life. It may result from a physical cause or a psychological
cause. Sometimes, both physical and psychological issues can cause
impotence.
The most common causes include:
·
an overconsumption of alcohol
·
stress
·
fatigue
·
anxiety
Although impotence can affect younger men,
it’s more prevalent in middle-aged and older adult men. Researchers believe
that stress plays a major role in age-related impotence cases.
One of the most common age-related causes
of impotence is atherosclerosis. This condition is caused by a buildup of
plaque in the arteries. The buildup makes it difficult for blood to flow to the
rest of the body. The lack of blood flow to the penis can cause impotence. This
is why impotence is the number one sign of atherosclerosis in men.
Other physical causes for impotence in
older adult men include:
·
diabetes
·
obesity
·
thyroid problems
·
kidney issues
·
sleep disorders
·
blood vessel damage
·
nerve damage
·
high blood pressure
·
high cholesterol
·
low testosterone
·
pelvic or spinal cord trauma or surgery
·
tobacco use
·
alcoholism
·
certain prescription medications, including
antidepressants and diuretics
Aside from physical causes, various
psychological issues can cause impotence in middle-aged and older adult men.
These may include:
·
depression
·
anxiety
·
stress
·
relationship problems
Diagnosing Impotence
Your doctor may be able to diagnose
impotence by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination.
Make sure to discuss any medical conditions that you may have with your doctor.
Sharing your medical history with your doctor can help them determine the cause
of your impotence. It’s also important to let your doctor know if you’re taking
any medication. Tell them the name of the medication, how much you take, and
when you began taking it. Also notify your doctor if you first experienced
impotence after taking a certain medication.
During the physical examination, your
doctor will visually inspect your penis for any external causes for your
impotence. External causes can include trauma or lesions from sexually
transmitted infections (STIs).
If your doctor suspects there’s an
underlying cause to your condition, they will perform various tests. For
example, your doctor will order a blood test to check your blood glucose
levels. This will show them if diabetes is to blame. Other tests may include:
·
blood tests to check for low testosterone
levels, lipid levels, and other conditions
·
ECG (electrocardiogram) to detect any heart
issues
·
ultrasound to look for problems with blood
flow
·
urine test to determine blood sugar levels
Treating Impotence
Once the underlying cause for impotence is
treated, the impotence usually subsides. There are several oral medications
that can help treat impotence. These include sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil
(Cialis). They’re designed to help men achieve or maintain an erection.
However, men with serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, can’t take
these medications. Men who are taking certain medications should also avoid
them. Natural supplements such as MACA MAN,REVIVE are available in local pharmacies and supplements shop in Nigeria.
Your doctor may suggest other treatment
options if you can’t take oral medications for impotence. These alternatives
include mechanical aids, such as a penis pump or a penile implant. Your doctor
will explain how to use these devices.
Impotence may also be a result of lifestyle
choices, so you may want to consider making changes to your lifestyle. These
changes include:
·
quitting smoking
·
avoiding illegal drug use
·
reducing alcohol consumption
·
exercising at least three times per week
·
maintaining a healthy weight
Aside from helping to prevent impotence,
these lifestyle adjustments can also reduce the risk of future health
complications.
Stress relief methods, such as meditation
and therapy, may also be useful in treating impotence caused by stress. Make
sure you get plenty of sleep and exercise to reverse stress-related impotence.
Dear Pharm,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this brilliant piece. However, my question is, what medical condition do we classify a male who doesn't last long in the first round of intercourse? Is there any known treatment for this case?
Thanks for your question, not being able to sustain an erection for long is also a symptom of Erectile dysfunction, and there are treatments for it.
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