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 as long as it takes to perform a full sexual act.
There is a belief that sexual impotence is an age-related disease that marks the end of any intimate life.However, such a statement is fundamentally wrong, because every man has his own natural reserve of abilities, which can decrease 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 each other.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 peculiarities of each individual 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 both the course of the entire cycle as a whole and certain parts of it, which are necessary for the penis to maintain a stable erection:
- psychological disorders and injuries;
- chronic fatigue;
- various diseases affecting the reduction of male sexual activity;
- alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and drug use;
- inflammation and mutilation of the male genitalia;
- drug side effects;
- cultural neglect of natural sex and frequent use of its artificial substitutes.
Psychological impotence is manifested under the influence of constant stress and nervous instability, 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 the accompanying intercourse require a lot of energy consumption.Accordingly, its lack or partial exhaustion causes a decrease in erectile abilities.
The state of the body's arterial and venous systems has a direct impact on the physical structure of the male penis during sexual tension and the duration of intercourse.Thus, atherosclerosis, abnormalities associated with cerebral blood flow disorders, and diabetes can cause problems in intimate life.But the main risk group is men with various inflammations of the genitourinary system, especially in advanced forms.
Too frequent use of self-gratification to relieve sexual tension leads to sperm stagnation in the testicles, reducing their activity and resulting in 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 may decrease under the influence of various endocrine disorders, liver cell dysfunction, resulting in a lack of material for testosterone reproduction.Disorders of fat metabolism in the presence of excess body weight also negatively affect hormone production.
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.Thus, the abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotic products gives a double blow to male potency by reducing the production of testosterone and negatively affecting the body's cardiovascular system as a whole.
It should also be mentioned that there are medications that, due to the components in their composition, significantly reduce sexual desire.
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 disappears altogether.
They also distinguish between physiological, acquired and age-related sexual impotence, which develops with age.
The following symptoms may cause concern:
- lack of sexual desire in men;
- a man's inability to achieve a stable erection in the presence of strong psychological arousal;
- the degree of flexibility of the penis is not sufficient to insert it into the vagina;
- inability to perform rubbing actions in the period of time required for full sexual intercourse;
- under most optimal conditions, a man cannot reach an orgasmic state;
- morning and night spontaneous erections are absent.
If at least one of the above-mentioned symptoms is detected, a specialist's examination is necessary, because the earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to cure it.
Diagnostic procedures for impotence, the purpose of which is to determine the causes of the disease, to find methods for resuming 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 of the vascular system can reveal blood circulation disorders in the penis.The list of necessary measures also includes a visit to a psychologist and independent observation of morning and nighttime spontaneous erections.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction
There are two ways to fight male diseases: classic (drug treatment and vacuum stimulation), surgical (surgical intervention).In the presence of mechanical damage to the blood vessels and arteries of the genitals, their restoration is performed surgically.
Choosing a drug to treat impotence is not an easy task.Because before writing a prescription, you need to accurately determine the cause of the disease.If it is based on negative changes in the blood vessels, then medications aimed at reducing blood cholesterol will be used along with a special diet.Reducing venous elasticity requires a different approach.In case of low testosterone level, tablets containing this hormone are prescribed.
Currently, inhibitors are very popular.They artificially induce an erection and effectively increase male potency.
Impotence associated with mental disorders and phobias requires many hours of counseling with a psychotherapist.The treatment of such patients is by increasing tactile contacts and foreplay time, eliminating internal blocks and performing sex therapy.
Prevention of impotence
The basis of maintaining sexual health is the normalization of lifestyle, giving up bad habits and promiscuity, correct intimate and moral relations with a partner and regular sexual activities.You must stop using interrupted intercourse as the only method of contraception and masturbation as a substitute for full intercourse.
Herbal preparations with a high content of vitamin E, containing rose hip, golden root, Chinese lemon grass 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 men, 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.