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Impotence, often called erectile
dysfunction, is the inability to achieve
or maintain an erection long enough
to engage in sexual intercourse. Under
normal circumstances, when a man is
sexually stimulated, his brain sends
a message down the spinal cord and
into the nerves of the penis. The
nerve endings in the penis release
chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters,
which signal the corpora cavernosa
(the two spongy rods of tissue that
span the length of the penis) to relax
and fill with blood. As they expand,
the corpora cavernosa close off other
veins that would normally drain blood
from the penis. As the penis becomes
engorged with blood, it enlarges and
stiffens, causing an erection. Problems
with blood vessels, nerves, or tissues
of the penis can interfere with an
erection.
What causes Impotence?
Causes of impotence may be psychological
and physical. A man who has normal
erectile responses during masturbation,
or who regularly awakens with an erection,
is likely to have a psychological
basis for impotence.
The brain can help bring about an
erection and it can prevent one. The
upper portion of the brain known as
the cerebral cortex can be involved
in blocking the reflex action that
causes an erection. By this means,
thoughts or emotions can inhibit the
erectile mechanism and cause so-called
psychogenic impotence. Psychogenic
impotence seems to feed on itself
because its number one cause is fear
of the possibility of failure to perform.
Other factors in psychological impotence
are guilt, depression, and boredom
with the subject of sex stimulation.
Some of the physical factors that
lead to impotence are:
- Diabetes
- Medications
- Clinical, locked-in depression.
- Alcoholism.
- Deficiencies of testosterone or
thyroid hormones.
- Elevated level of prolactin, another
hormone involved in sexual function.
- Hardening of the arteries.
- Physical deformities of the penis.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Weight problems
What are the likely symptoms of Impotence
?
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction
are the inability to have an erection
or inability to sustain an erection
long enough to finish having sex.
An occasional difficulty may be considered
normal, however, frequent episodes
or prolonged problems lasting more
than a couple of weeks may require
further evaluation by a physician.
How does one prevent Impotence?
There is no specific treatment to
prevent impotence. Perhaps the most
important measure is to maintain general
good health and avoid atherosclerosis--by
exercising regularly, controlling
weight, controlling hypertension and
high cholesterol levels, and avoiding
smoking. Avoiding excessive alcohol
intake may also help.
What medications are used to treat
ED or Impotence ?
Some of the medications prescribed
for ED include
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