Erectile Dysfunction in Men

Issues bothering on potency  is the main cause of strife and even separation in many homes but  most couple who  find themselves in such situations  act on some non verbal agreement that makes them  keep family and friends groping in the dark. Rather than seek help, they   allow themselves to be marooned in the conspiracy of secrecy.

What level of erectile dysfunction is classified as impotence?

If a man’s erection is not firm enough to allow vaginal penetration, he is impotent. If the erections have the necessary rigidity, but only briefly, he may have problems too. If the erection loses its strength upon penetration, he is more or less impotent.

 Causes of Impotence

Impotence is not by itself a disease, but is a secondary condition. It is a side effect, a symptom of something else. Medical research has been able to identify   some of the causes of impotence.

Psychological Impotence:  This describes the problem when physical causes are not present. It can be caused by job stress, a rocky marriage, concern over poor sexual performance or financial worries.   It should be noted that almost every man experiences temporary periods of impotence.

Diabetes:  Diabetes is the leading cause of impotence. This disease causes damage to small & large blood vessels, resulting in impotence in some men. It inflicts damage to peripheral nerves also, affecting the brain's ability to transmit its wishes to the body. About 50percent of all diabetic men become impotent after age 50.

Diseases of the Blood Vessels:   If the diseased or obstructed vessels are heart or coronary vessels, the disease produces heart attacks; when it’s to the brain, it produces strokes; and, when it's to the penis it produces impotence.

Radical pelvic surgery and spinal cord damage: Radical pelvic surgery and spinal cord damage can also cause impotence.

Medications and Treatments for Impotence

Viagra:  Viagra is one of the best known medications for erectile dysfunction. You need to be sexually stimulated for Viagra to be effective. Viagra works within an hour and usually lasts for three to four hours.

Transurethral Therapy:  A small pellet of a medication is put directly into the urethra.  The drug is absorbed into the erectile tissue of the penis. It gives an erection within five to ten minutes.

Injection Treatments:  A drug is injected directly into the shaft of the penis when you want to have sex. The medication usually works within 15 minutes.

 Hormone Treatments: The most common hormone abnormality is reduced levels of the male sex hormone, testosterone. Testosterone can be restored to a therapeutic level with hormone replacement therapy.

Penile Prosthesis:

 Penile prosthesis (implant) option is usually not considered until other forms of treatment have been tried. There are two types of penile implants,

The semi-rigid type penis implant: This penis implant keeps the penis rigid all the time. The penis can bend downwards when you're not having sex.

The hydraulic type penis implant: The penis stiffens when a pump that is implanted in the scrotum is activated.

 It is however, advised to seek medical counsel before treatments.

 

By Onyinye Orabuike