Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is a pathological process caused by the physical inability of the penis to achieve and maintain a state of sexual arousal for the time required to perform a full sexual act.
There is an opinion that sexual impotence is an age-related disease that marks the end of any intimate life.However, such a statement is fundamentally incorrect, because each person has his own natural reserve of abilities, which can be reduced under the influence of various external factors, so it is possible and necessary to fight this problem.
Causes of impotence in men
An erection is a rather complex physical process, representing a whole series of reactions following one another.A healthy body spends less than a minute to complete the entire necessary algorithm.The time during which a man is able to maintain sexual tension is determined individually, taking into account the characteristics of each individual case.
The appearance of erectile dysfunction in men can manifest itself not only as an independent disease, but also as a symptom of another deep chronic pathology.
There are many negative factors that affect the course of both the entire cycle as a whole and its individual parts, which are necessary to maintain the penis in a state of stable erection:
- psychological disorders and injuries;
- chronic fatigue;
- various diseases that affect the reduction of sexual activity in men;
- alcohol consumption, smoking and drug use;
- inflammation and mutilation of the male genital organs;
- side effects of drugs;
- lack of adherence to the culture of natural sex and the frequent use of its artificial substitutes.
Mental impotence manifests itself under the influence of constant stress and nervous instability, most often in young, strong and physically healthy people.As a rule, it is temporary and disappears as unexpectedly as it appears.
The erection itself and the accompanying sexual act require the expenditure of a large energy resource.Accordingly, its absence or partial exhaustion leads to a decrease in erectile abilities.
The state of the body's arterial and venous system has a direct impact on the physical structure of the male penis during sexual tension and the duration of intercourse.Thus, atherosclerosis, abnormalities related to cerebral circulation disorders and diabetes mellitus can cause problems in intimate life.But the main risk group are men with various inflammations of the genitourinary system, especially in advanced forms.
Too often the use of masturbation as a way to relieve sexual tension leads to stagnation of sperm in the testicles, a decrease in their activity and, as a result, causes impotence.
Decreased testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is the main natural mechanism for maintaining male health.Meanwhile, its content in the blood and the rate of production can be reduced under the influence of various endocrine disorders, disorders in the functioning of liver cells, which leads to a lack of material for the reproduction of testosterone.Disruption of fat metabolism, in the presence of excess body weight, also negatively affects the production of the hormone.
Drug addiction, alcoholism and smoking, which serve as a source of accumulation of harmful substances and toxins, contribute to the formation of erectile dysfunction.In this way, the abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotic products inflicts a double blow on male potency, reducing the production of testosterone and having a negative impact on the cardiovascular system of the body as a whole.
It should also be mentioned that there are drugs that significantly reduce sexual desire due to the components they contain.
Symptoms of impotence
Impotence is primary if the erection does not appear in boys from an early age, and secondary if it weakens over time or disappears completely.
They also distinguish physiological, acquired and age-related, developing with age, sexual impotence.
The following symptoms may be cause for concern:
- lack of sexual desire in a man;
- the man's inability to achieve a stable erection in the presence of strong psychological excitement;
- the degree of elasticity of the penis is not enough to insert it into the vagina;
- inability to perform frictional actions during the period of time necessary for a full-fledged sexual act;
- under optimal for most conditions, a man cannot achieve a state of orgasm;
- spontaneous erections in the morning and evening are absent.
If the presence of at least one of the above symptoms is detected, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a specialist, because the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to cure.
Diagnostic procedures for impotence aimed at identifying the causes of the disease, searching for methods to resume a full sexual life and the necessary treatment of impotence.
Hormonal testing helps determine the amount of estrogen, prolactin, testosterone and LH (luteinizing hormone) produced in the body.Ultrasound and x-ray examination of the vascular system can reveal disorders of blood circulation in the penis.The list of necessary measures also includes a visit to a psychologist and self-monitoring of morning and evening spontaneous erections.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction
There are two ways to fight the male disease: classic (drug treatment and vacuum stimulation), surgical (surgical intervention).In the presence of mechanical damage to the vessels and arteries of the genital organ, their restoration is performed surgically.
Choosing drugs to treat impotence is not an easy task.Because before making a prescription, you need to accurately determine the cause of the disease.If it is based on negative changes in blood vessels, then drugs aimed at lowering blood cholesterol combined with a special diet will be used.Reducing the elasticity of the veins requires a different approach.For low levels of testosterone, tablets containing this hormone are prescribed.
Currently, inhibitors are very popular.They artificially induce an erection and are effective in quickly increasing potency in men.
Impotence associated with mental disorders and phobias requires many hours of sessions with a psychotherapist.The treatment of such patients is carried out by increasing tactile contacts and time for foreplay, by removing internal blocks and sex therapy.
Prevention of impotence
The basis for maintaining sexual health is normalizing the lifestyle, giving up bad habits and promiscuity, correct intimate and moral relations with the partner and regular sexual activity.You must stop using coitus interruptus as the only method of contraception and masturbation as a substitute for full intercourse.
Herbal preparations with a high content of vitamin E, which contain rosehip, golden root, Chinese lemongrass and other useful ingredients, will have a good preventive effect and strengthen intimate health.
At the same time, you should not forget about regular examinations by medical specialists, and if you have the slightest doubt about the viability of a man, immediately consult a doctor, urologist or andrologist.
Erectile dysfunction is a complex disease, so the earlier the disease is detected, the shorter the road to recovery for men.