What
is impotence?
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.
|
|
|
 |
 |
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. |
|
|
|
|
| Important notices | Privacy policy