Impotence

Impotence (erectile dysfunction) is a condition when a man fails to achieve or maintain a stiff penis (erection) during sex. The condition may also refer to a weak erection or erection that is not firm enough for sexual activity. Impotence can point to serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. It can cause relationship problems, low self-esteem, depression and infertility. Your erections may return to normal levels after treatment.

If you have erectile dysfunction, you may frequently:

• Find it difficult to get an erection.
• Find it hard to keep an erection. Your penis becomes soft after a short while or during sexual activity.
• Have weak erections. Your erection is not firm enough for sexual penetration.

Impotence can be caused by several factors including ageing, heart disease, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, obesity, depression and other diseases. It can be caused by one or a combination of conditions. Your healthcare provider can help you identify the causes of your impotence.

Common risk factors for or causes of impotence are age and stress. Older men may have problems “getting it up.” Stress can also cause a low sex drive and erection problems. Other common causes of impotence  include:

• Heart disease may affect your ability to get and maintain an erection, due to limited blood flow to your penis.
• Diabetes, due to damage to nerves and blood vessels caused by poor long-term blood sugar control.
• Obesity, due to damage to blood vessels and decreased testosterone levels.
• Medications that are used to treat depression and high blood pressure can cause impotence as a side-effect.
• Heavy and/or long-term drug use or alcohol use.
• Kidney disease, due to narrowed blood vessels, including those that supply the penis.
• Low testosterone levels, but usually only in combination with an underlying health conditions (e.g. hardening of the arteries).

Always visit your healthcare provider when you suffer from impotence, but especially if:

• You are having relationship problems because of your erection problems.
• You are having bad thoughts about yourself, hate yourself or want to harm yourself because of your erection problems.
• You have diabetes, high blood pressure or you have been diagnosed with heart diseases.

Healthy lifestyle changes that reduce your risk factors and improve erectile function can delay impotence. Reduce your risk factors by treating any chronic diseases, keeping physically active, eating a healthy diet, managing your stress, quitting smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

Self-Care Tips:

• Do not self-medicate. Some over-the-counter medications that help to enhance erection and sexual performance might be dangerous for you if you have heart disease or low blood pressure.
• Get plenty of rest, reduce stress. Try not to be anxious before sexual activity.
• Consult a doctor or a pharmacist before you use herbal products. Some of them may be dangerous for you.
• Exercise can improve sexual health and reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. Make out time to work out (e.g. walking, running or cycling) to boost your sexual health.

Medical treatment:

• Your doctor will diagnose you for any underlying health condition that might be causing your impotence.
• If psychological factors in play, your healthcare provider will refer you (and your partner) to a sex therapist, a psychologist or a counsellor.
• Medications exist that can treat impotence. They increase blood flow to the penis, such as sildenafil and tadalafil.
• Penis pumps, implants, and surgery can provide lasting treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend counselling to ensure that you and your partner can be satisfied using any of these methods.

Impotence can cause relationship problems for men and their partners. Discussing your condition with your partner may help to unearth the cause and to find a solution that will improve your sex life and relationship in general. Different treatment options exist. Talk to your healthcare provider about them. You may need to try several methods before finding one that best fits you and your partner.