Male Impotence: Erectile Dysfunction

Male impotence, also called as Erectile Dysfunction, is a condition of sexual dysfunction. In this condition, males find it difficult to develop and maintain an erection for a long time, thereby affecting their sexual performance. The reason for male impotence is either physical, psychological or both. In general, when a man is sexually aroused blood rushes into the sponge-like cells of his penis and stays there due to which he develops an erection.

A lot of physical processes occur right from the time of sending of signal by the brain to the actual erection of penis. In response to sexual arousal, the brain first sends nerve impulses. These impulses then pass through the spinal column, finally reaching the nerves and muscles in the pelvis. Subsequently, blood rushes through the veins and arteries to the fibrous tissues in the penis which finally gains an erection. If any of these processes is disturbed, it can lead to erectile dysfunction.

As observed, 70% cases of male impotence reported so far are caused by physical diseases like multiple sclerosis, obesity, aging, vascular and kidney disease and also neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. While the remaining 10 to 20% cases are attributed to psychological diseases like stress, guilt, depression, etc.

For ages, sexual potency has been largely regarded as the measure of success and masculinity for men. In such a scenario, a case of erectile dysfunction can cause a terrible turmoil in the person’s psyche. It is also observed that this condition befalls on half of the men above the age of 40.

Now-a-days, a lot of medicines and methods are available to gain an erection. Some of them are the use of Viagra or alternative forms of it, vibration of penis i.e. masturbation, use of penis pump, injection of Alprostadil into penis and last but not the safest of all i.e. placing prosthetic implants in penis through surgery. The safer and cheaper alternatives than all mentioned above to battle male impotence are regular aerobic exercise, quitting smoking and avoiding consumption of alcohol and drugs.

Male impotence is indeed a real cause of worry for all men and it is ironically said that the constant fear of sexual failure is itself one of foremost psychological factors causing this disease.