Impotence
Today specialists who deal with “male problems” prefer the term of “erectile dysfunction” to determine these problems.
In 1992 the urologists in the whole world came to an agreement to use the term of “erectile dysfunction” to define a condition inability of the patient to get or maintain adequate erection. Such a condition restricts or makes it impossible to have normal sexual relationship.
Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction today is a common and widely spread disease.
Very often a question arises: What is the difference between erectile dysfunction and impotence. Actually there is no difference except erectile dysfunction is a more modern and more frequently used term, especially in the US. The rest of the world usually use “impotence” to describe this condition.
Impotence (or erectile dysfunction) affects 40% of men aged 35-40. Most men feel awkward consulting a doctor about this problem; however, weak erection or loss of erection during sexual intercourse is already a reason for seeing an urologist or sexologist.
Here are the factors which may cause erectile dysfunction:
* inflammatory diseases affecting the urogenital system and pelvic organs (prostatitis, orchiepididymitis, cystitis, etc.)
*insufficient arterial blood flow in the vessels participating in the mechanism of erection
* diabetes
* hormonal dysfunction
* spinal cord injuries
* penis injuries
* pelvic organ surgeries
* some medicines
* depression, stress
So, impotence may be caused by neurological, endocrine, vascular, medical and topical reasons. Impotence caused by these reasons is considered organic form of erectile dysfunction. However, psychogenic form of erectile dysfunction which is caused by psychoneurological peculiarities is more common.
Almost always when a patient has erectile dysfunction of organic nature a psychological factor is added and very often organic impotence transforms into psychogenic one even in case the organic cause is eliminated. So, no matter whether you suffer from organic or psychogenic impotence, a complex treatment is needed.
Unwillingness of most men to consult a doctor about impotence is the greatest problem for the urologists in the whole world. Meanwhile, modern medicine disposes a huge arsenal of medicines and other means to help such patients.
Any measure aimed at normalization and enhancement of body functions may become a means for restoring erectile function. That is why along with other therapeutic measures physiotherapy, laser and magneto-therapy are recommended as well.
Types of Impotence
Organic impotence
Organic impotence is a progressive worsening of erectile dysfunction characterized by erection quality reduction. The symptoms of organic impotence include absence of nocturnal and morning spontaneous erections. The most frequent causes are various vascular pathologies of arterial or venous nature. Researchers showed that sexually healthy men experience 4-6 episodes of erection lasting 10-15 minutes in the period of fast sleep. General duration of spontaneous erections during night makes up 20% of the whole period of sleep. With age not all of nocturnal spontaneous erections are characterized by rigidity and the number of nocturnal erection episodes with decreased rigidity keeps on growing.
Psychogenic impotence
Psychogenic impotence occurs suddenly and is usually associated with some events in man`s life. In such case the nocturnal and morning spontaneous erections are preserved. Erection is often induced in response to visual stimulation and erotic fantasies.
Differential diagnostics of psychogenic and organic impotence
I. Psychogenic impotence
1. Sudden start
2. Nocturnal spontaneous erections are preserved
3. Relationship problems
4. Erection problems in some certain circumstances
II. Organic erectile dysfunction (impotence)
1. Gradual start
2. Absence of nocturnal spontaneous erections
3. Normal libido and ejaculation
4. Erection problems in any circumstances
What you should do to do to avoid erectile dysfunction (impotence)?
* lead healthy lifestyle, do sports, eat regularly and healthy, take care for your health;
* do not smoke, do not abuse alcohol or use narcotics including “poppers”;
*do not use medicines which may cause erectile dysfunction or use them strictly as your doctor prescribed and as it is recommended in the instructions for these drugs.
* lead regular sex life without long periods of continence or sexual overindulgence.
* consult an urologist if you got injury in the region of small pelvis or crotch, or if you have diabetes or hypertension.
Sexual diseases
Sexologists never use “sexual diseases” referring to sexual problems; they prefer the term “sexual disorder”. Sexuality is such a complicated thing and so many factors are interlaced into this notion (psychological, emotional, organic, etc.), that it could be referred to only in very careful expressions.
Once you tell a man that his impotence or premature ejaculation is a disease which requires treatment, as his “disease” would be with him for the rest of his life. That is why in response to complaints about potency most doctors prefer to answer in one world “disorder”.
In sexual relations there is no such a notion as a standard, everything is very individual. One may lead a very active sexual life and be sure that something is wrong with his potency; others may have a less active sex life and be fully satisfied with it. Most sexologists think that a man could be diagnosed with sexual disorder only when he is bothered with his condition. People who number themselves among “sexually disordered” are usually pleased to know that they are not alone. According to statistics 40% of men and 60% of women suffer from various sexual disorders. Half of men with sexual disorders complain about their potency, 25 %- about ejaculation, 15% – about decreased libido and 10 % are sexually dissatisfied with their sex life.
Women too are often dissatisfied with their sex life. 40% have difficulty getting orgasm and 10 % suffer from veganism (painful spasm of the vagina). Most sexologists think that half of all so called “disorders’ occur due to sexual ignorance. Most people just do not know their body and unwilling to study their erotic reactions; in general, they put all the blame on the disease. As a rule, half of the time a doctor spends on such a patient goes on his sexual education; the treatment itself consists in intensive psychotherapy and rarely includes medications.
In most cases, sexual disorders have psychogenic nature. Psychoanalysis considers that they are consequences of traumatic situations in childhood, which have to be recognized and overcome consciously.