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 necessary to perform a complete intercourse.
There is an opinion that sexual impotence is an age-related disease that marks the end of any intimate life.But such a statement is fundamentally wrong, because each man has his own natural reserve of capacities, 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 that represents a whole series of reactions that follow one another.A healthy body takes 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 case.
The occurrence 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:
- mental disorders and injuries;
- chronic fatigue;
- various diseases that affect the decrease in sexual activity in men;
- alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and drug use;
- inflammation and mutilation of the male genitalia;
- side effects of medication;
- failure to adhere to the culture of natural sex and frequent use of its artificial substitutes.
Psychological impotence manifests itself under the influence of constant stress and nervous instability, which is most often found in young, strong and physically healthy people.As a rule, it is temporary and disappears as unexpectedly as it appears.
Erection and accompanying intercourse in itself require the consumption of a large energy resource.Consequently, its absence or partial depletion leads to a decrease in erectile abilities.
The condition of the arterial and venous systems of the body has a direct impact on the physical structure of the male penis at the time of sexual tension and the duration of intercourse.Thus, atherosclerosis, abnormalities associated with cerebral circulation disorders and diabetes mellitus can cause problems in intimate life.But the greatest risk group is men with various inflammations of the genitourinary system, especially in advanced forms.
Too frequent use of self-gratification as a way to relieve sexual tension leads to stagnation of sperm cells in the testicles, which reduces their activity and, as a result, causes impotence.
Decreased testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is the most important 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, disturbances in the functioning of liver cells, resulting in a lack of material for the reproduction of testosterone.A disturbance in fat metabolism, in the presence of excess body weight, also negatively affects the production of the hormone.
Drug addiction, alcoholism and tobacco smoking, which serve as a source of accumulation of harmful substances and toxins, contribute to the formation of erectile dysfunction.Abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotic products thus deals a double blow to male potency, reducing testosterone production and having a negative impact on the cardiovascular system of the body as a whole.
It should also be mentioned that there are medicines which significantly reduce sexual desire due to the components they contain.
Symptoms of impotence
Impotence is primary if an erection does not appear in boys from an early age, and secondary if it becomes weak over time or completely disappears.
They also distinguish between physiological, acquired and age-related, development with age, sexual impotence.
The following symptoms may cause concern:
- lack of sexual desire in a man;
- a man's inability to achieve a stable erection in the presence of strong psychological arousal;
- the degree of elasticity of the penis is not sufficient to insert it into the vagina;
- inability to perform frictional actions during the period necessary for full intercourse;
- under optimal conditions for most, a man cannot achieve a state of orgasm;
- spontaneous erections morning and night 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 it.
Diagnostic procedures for impotence aimed at identifying the causes of the disease, searching for methods to resume full sexual life and the necessary cure for impotence.
Hormonal testing helps determine the amount of estrogen, prolactin, testosterone and LH (luteinizing hormone) produced in the body.Ultrasound and x-ray of the vascular system can reveal circulatory disorders in the penis.The list of necessary measures also includes a visit to a psychologist and independent observation of morning and night spontaneous erections.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction
There are two ways to combat male disorder: classical (medical 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 carried out surgically.
Choosing medicine to treat impotence is not an easy task.Because before you make a prescription, you need to accurately determine the cause of the disease.If it is based on negative changes in blood vessels, drugs aimed at lowering blood cholesterol will be used, combined with a special diet.Reducing the elasticity of the veins requires a different approach.In case of low testosterone levels, tablets containing this hormone are prescribed.
Currently, inhibitors are very popular.They artificially induce an erection and are effective in rapidly increasing strength in men.
Impotence associated with mental disorders and phobias requires many hours of sessions with a psychotherapist.Treatment of such patients is done by increasing tactile contacts and foreplay time, by removing internal blockages and sex therapy.
Prevention of impotence
The basis for maintaining sexual health is the normalization of lifestyle, abandonment of bad habits and promiscuity, proper intimate and moral relations with a partner and regular sexual activity.You should 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 rose hips, 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 regular examinations by medical specialists, and if you have the slightest doubt about male viability, you should immediately consult a doctor, urologist or andrologist.
Erectile dysfunction is a complex disease, so the sooner the disease is detected, the shorter the road to restoring men's health.