Impotence, or erectile dysfunction,
is the persistent or recurrent inability to achieve
and/or maintain an erection adequate for satisfactory
sexual intercourse.
What causes it?
Impotence is related to many
physical and psychological factors. The causes of
impotence include:
Stress or anxiety
Certain diseases, e.g. diabetes
mellitus, vascular diseases, nerve problems
Some medications, e.g. antipsychotic drugs, hypotensive
drugs
Excessive alcohol intake
Smoking
Occasional impotence is normal.
You may fail to get or keep an erection when you are
tired or anxious. In fact, one of the most common
causes of impotence in middle-aged men is lack of
sleep.
Research shows that over 50% of men aged between 40 to 70 years experience some degree of impotence, and the prevalence increases with age.
Your risk of suffering from impotence can be reduced by quitting smoking.
How
can I prevent it?
You can lower your
risk of having impotence by having a healthy
lifestyle, including:
Do not smoke
Avoid excessive alcohol
Avoid drug abuse
Eat a healthy diet, take regular exercise,
get enough sleep and rest, and develop better
ways to deal with stress.
What should
I do if I have worries?
If you worry about
your sexual functioning, you should talk to
your partner and consult a doctor. The doctor
may carry out some investigations, such as blood
tests for laboratory examination.
What
is the treatment?
Most cases of impotence
can be treated.
Treatment for impotence may include oral medications
(e.g. vasodilator or hormonal drugs), psychotherapy
and sexual counseling, surgical implants and other
methods (e.g. use of vacuum pump devices), alone or
in combination. The doctor will find out whether the
problem stems from physical or psychological causes
and recommend the optimal treatment depending on the
extent to which it affects the patient's life, and
the presence of any other medical conditions.
Oral drugs such as Sildenafil
work by dilating the blood vessels supplying the sponge-like
tissues of the penis. They increase the blood flow
resulting in erection, and are 70-80% effective. However,
there are side effects and these drugs are contraindicated
in patients with certain heart
diseases and stroke.
Therefore, do not use drugs without a doctor's prescription
as wrong use of these drugs may lead to prostate problems
or heart disease, or even death in severe cases.
How can I help myself?
If you fail to get an erection,
there are other things you can do.
Talk about the problem with your partner and
discuss the sexual needs as openly as possible.
Seek medical advice to find out the cause and
treatment.
Change your sexual habits and practise other
forms of sex that are enjoyable and satisfying,
such as foreplay or mutual masturbation.
Remember, there are a variety
of treatments for impotence. If you have any suspicions,
you should seek medical advice.
One of the most common causes of impotence in middle-aged men is lack of sleep.
Don't be too upset if you experience occasional difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection. In such situation, you can practise other forms of sex such as kissing or mutual masturbation.
| Important notices