IMPOTENCE

When a man is incapable of sexual intercourse, usually because he cannot achieve or sustain an erection, he is impotent. Every man will have problems getting or keeping an erection at some time in his life. However, most men keep this secret. This often leaves the man who has this problem believing that he is the only one who has ever had to deal with this.

There are many causes of impotence. Impotence treatment centers say that about a third of the causes are physical, one-third are psychological, and one-third are a mixture of both.

There are several physical causes. Many medications can result in impotence. Some of the most common ones are medicines for high blood pressure, depression, psychosis, anxiety, and epilepsy. Drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes increases your risk of impotence. Alcohol can be very frustrating for men because it often increases sexual desire while decreasing the ability to function. Street drugs like PCP, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana all have bad effects on male sexual function. Several physical illnesses can cause impotence. Diabetes is one of the most common.

There are several psychological causes for impotence. Sexual abuse as a child can affect sexual function. Sexual abuse of boys is much more common than was previously thought. Being raised to feel guilty about sex makes it difficult to relax. Sometimes men have unrealistic expectations about their sexual functioning. Men can also feel pressure to "perform." This results in anxiety and difficulty in functioning.

Physical and psychological factors can combine. For example, a man might have problems in getting an erection one night due to drinking too much. The next time he has sex, this memory may cause anxiety, which causes erectile problems again, but for a different reason.

Getting a physical exam is always a good idea. This will help determine the cause of the problem. Do not be embarrassed. Your healthcare provider has seen many men with similar problems and will not be judgmental. If the problem is physical, there are many treatments, such as medications, pumps, and implants that can help.

If the problem is psychological, there are techniques you can learn that will help. If you suffer from impotence, the first step is to see a healthcare provider, who can help you determine the cause of the impotence.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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