Overview and incidence of erectile dysfunction (Impotence).
Erectile dysfunction is also referred to as impotence, males' sexual dysfunction or males' impotence of organic origin. Although the term "impotence" is quite broad and should include more than one sexual disorder of both genders, it ended up being a synonym to erectile dysfunction and it will be used as such in this page.
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the man's inability to have or to sustain an erection hard and long enough to participate and fulfill a sexual intercourse with his partner. Impotence is the most common sexual problem among males, since it affects the majority of men at some stage of their life. Incidence of the disorder increases as the individual gets older. Although the sexual problem may be present in younger males, the most likely period for the onset of erectile dysfunction symptoms is the age of forty upwards. The occurrence percentage of impotence is ranging, accordingly, from 5% to 30% in men between the age of forty and sixty five and reaches the 50% by the age of seventy five.
Impotence can be occasional, if it involves limited and brief incidents and periodical, when it happens repeatedly but lasts no more than a few weeks. It is characterized chronic, when erectile dysfunction is established for months or years. Some men may experience total erectile dysfunction, whereas others may present a milder type of the problem. In the former clinical form of impotence, no erection is achieved at all. In partial impotence, compromised or brief erections may occur but they are still inadequate for a proper sexual intercourse, although they can result in ejaculation. It has been estimated that nearly thirty million of North Americans suffer from either type of erectile dysfunction.
Impotence results in serious psychological problems for the patient, including embarrassment, humiliation, total lack of confidence, reduced self-esteem, hopelessness, guiltiness, insecurity and perhaps depression. Since for the majority of males, good or reasonable sexual performance is a very important issue, in cases with erectile dysfunction, a man's life can change in many aspects. Social withdrawal and impaired professional performance serious marital problems may follow.
The worse aftermath of impotence is the communication problem that may develop among the couple and can affect the relation very negatively. This happens due to taboos or lack of information about impotence and adequate sexual education. On one hand, the man feels too ashamed to mention and discuss the situation. On the other hand, the woman may think she is not attractive enough anymore to arouse her partner. Progressively, isolation and occasional tension within the couple may increase and make the lack of communication a permanent reality. Accusations addressed to and from both sides can make things much worse. What is more, insecurity on behalf of the man can result in performance anxiety which, in turn, may create a vicious cycle by leading to further failures for erection and more insecurity.
Understanding, love and mutual emotional trust are essential and they must prevail, in order the above consequences of impotence to be prevented. Both partners have to acknowledge the problem and realize that the causes of erectile dysfunction can be physical, psychological or both. If any medical condition is underlying, it has to be treated accordingly under a physician's guidance and erectile dysfunction will soon retreat. If impotence occurs due to psychological difficulties, perhaps the problem can be resolved with sincere communication among the partners or if this is not attainable, a specialist's advice must be sought. In any case, it has to be understood that erectile dysfunction is treatable, providing it is addressed properly. In fact, there are numerous medications, methods and technical means that can contribute to treatment of impotence.
Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction.
A physical exam and laboratory procedures, such as blood test or urinalysis may be needed for underlying medical causative conditions to be identified. Duplex ultrasound is a diagnostic method that helps in erectile function evaluation by checking nerve function, penile blood flow and pressure, venous leakage, vascular dilation, arterial condition and the existence of any scaring or calcification. Prostate gland examination and evaluation of nocturnal erections can give a lot of information about the severity and etiology of impotence. |
