Impotence

In medical terminology it can be defined as inability to have an erection of penis adequate for sexual intercourse also called erectile dysfunction which affects as many as 18 million men in United States between ages of 40 and 70. Until recently, doctors thought impotence was mainly rooted in psychological causes. Now it is believed that 50 to 70 percent of all cases are caused by physical problems. Age is not only factor for Erection difficulties, as it’s true that Erection tend to increase with age but still there are so many other reasons i.e. your general physical and psychological health, as well as lifestyle habits and certain medications, can all cause impotence, but you don't have to live with this problem. In most cases, impotence can be successfully treated.

Erection: A process in which penis becomes stiff and hard due to augmented blood flow. Erections may happen in response to physical or emotional stimulation, or sometimes an erection happens for no reason at all. Erection also enables sexual intercourse and some other sexual activities, though it is not essential for all of them.

How it occurs?

The penis contains two chambers called corpora cavernosa, which run length of organ A spongy tissue fills chambers. The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a membrane, called tunica albuginea. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and arteries.

The urethra, which is channel for urine and ejaculate, runs along underside of corpora cavernosa and is surrounded by corpus spongiosum. Erection begins with sensory or mental stimulation, or both. Impulses from brain and local nerves cause muscles of corpora cavernosa to relax, allowing blood to flow in and fill spaces. The blood creates pressure in corpora cavernosa, making penis expand. The tunica albuginea helps trap blood in corpora cavernosa, thereby sustaining erection. When muscles in penis contract to stop inflow of blood and open outflow channels, erection is reversed.

Arteries and veins penetrate long, filled cavities running length of penis--the corpora cavernosa and corpous sponglosum. Erection occurs when relaxed muscles allow corpora cavernosa to fill with excess blood fed by arteries, while drainage of blood through veins is blocked.

Since an erection requires a cycle of events, impotence can occur when any of cycle events is disrupted. These events include nerve impulses in brain, spinal column, and area of penis, and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near corpora cavernosa.

Disease: Some Diseases like Damage to arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, are most common cause of impotence. Diseases--including diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease--account for about 70 percent of cases of impotence and 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience impotence.

Surgical Cause: Surgery (for example, prostate surgery) can damage nerves and arteries near penis, causing impotence. Damage to penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, and pelvis can lead to impotence by harming nerves, smooth muscles, arteries, and fibrous tissues of corpora cavernosa.

Medication Causes: Many common medicines produce impotence as a side effect. These include high blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug).

Anxiety & Depression: Experts believe that psychological factors may also cause 10 to 20 percent of cases of impotence. These factors include stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure. Such factors are broadly associated with more than 80 percent of cases of impotence, usually as secondary reactions to underlying physical causes.

Smoking: Since smoke affects blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as insufficient testosterone.

What are Treatment Options?