Male Impotence: Treatment Options and Risk Factors

As you age, you may suffer from one/both of these sexual problems: impotence; lack of desire. Impotence (medically known as erectile dysfunction (ED)) is the inability to develop and maintain an erection long enough for sufficient intercourse. Impotence could mean that you are unable to develop an erection, or that even when you develop it, it lasts for a very short time frame.

Science behind how an Erection Occurs
The trigger points for erection are sensory and mental stimulation. If a man does not suffer from ED, then on being sexually stimulated, the brain will send signals through the spinal cord. These signals reach the penis and the nerve endings in the penis release neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers then signal the 'corpora cavernosa' to relax and take in a lot of blood. 'Corpora cavernosa' are two spongy rods of tissue, which extend along the length of the penis. When the penis fills up with blood, it enlarges and stiffens leading to an erection.

What can cause Impotence?
1. Smoking affects blood flow through veins and arteries and can cause ED.
2. Surgeries that have wounded the nerves and/or arteries near the penis can cause impotence.
3. Hormonal imbalance like low testosterone level can cause ED.
4. About 35-50 percent of men who have diabetes suffer from this problem.
5. Medicines can have side effects leading to impotence.
6. Psychological factors, stress, depression can all cause impotence.
7. Any form of injury or damage to the bladder, penis, pelvis, spinal cord can lead to impotence too.

Men in Impotence High Risk Group
If you suffer from diabetes, drink, smoke, take drugs or are older than 50 years of age, you lie in the high risk category. Since age is linked with many risk factors, the older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from impotence. Medicines might have side effects that lead to impotence. Also, some surgeries and radiotherapy can cause erectile dysfunction.

Treatment Options for Impotence
Several years ago, if you wanted to get over impotence, the only options were to either get a penile implant or long-term psychotherapy. But today there are several treatment options for erectile dysfunction:

1. Vacuum devices, oral medications and local injections can help.
2. Gene therapy is being tested as an option to treat impotence.
3. Sex therapy is also being recommended to combat this condition. In some cases it is recommended in combination with other medical options.
4. Impotence caused due to hormonal imbalance can be tackled using hormone therapy.
5. Testosterone substitution therapy is yet another option that can help increase muscle mass, improve energy, mood, and bone density. It can also help older men, who have low levels of testosterone.
6. Psychotherapy can help you if you want to get over psychological impotence.
7. Hydrotherapy (Eg.cool showers) can help you combat impotence too.
8. Sildenafil citrate or Viagra is a drug, which is widely prescribed to combat impotence.

Remember all these details and don't feel disheartened if you suffer from impotence. Erectile dysfunction can be treated, no matter what age group you lie in.

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