It's not always easy to admit it, but male impotence affects the majority of men. Maintaining the inflexible image of the dominant and flawless male is not always possible, it is normal and it does not matter.
But when should we talk about erectile dysfunction? What are the predominant causes of impotence? Are there treatments to treat this dysfunction? We answer all these questions in this article.
1 What is impotence?
2 What are the causes of male impotence?
3 People at risk and risk factors
4 How to establish a diagnosis of impotence?
5 Symptoms
6 What treatments are available for erectile dysfunction?
7 Prevention to avoid impotence
8 Closing
What is impotence?
Although this pathology is very taboo, it affects up to 150 million men worldwide and according to the latest studies, this figure could double by 2025 (source).
Otherwise called erectile dysfunction, it is defined as the inability to produce and maintain an erection sufficient to continue sexual intercourse. Do not confuse erectile dysfunction with ejaculation problems because, in fact, impotence only concerns erection. This must last for at least 3 months before talking about erectile dysfunction.
It must be differentiated with the simple occasional breakdown encountered at least once in a man's life. Age must also be taken into account, as the erection may come less quickly requiring more direct stimulation after 50 years and over.
What are the causes of male impotence?
The physical causes
Many causes are possible to cause sexual impotence. Whether physically or psychologically, this pathology could even be the first symptom of an as yet undiagnosed health problem.
Among the causes of male impotence are the following diseases:
– Diabetes – Hypertension – Cardiovascular diseases – Cholesterol – Diseases such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis or prostate cancer.
Psychological causes
Although this pathology mainly affects men from the age of 40, when sexual impotence affects a minority of young men, the main cause will be more of a psychological origin.
Indeed, it can be caused by performance anxiety, stress, guilt, depression or even relationship problems encountered when young. It will then be a question of turning more to a psychological follow-up to treat impotence. (source)
People at risk and risk factors
Men concerned with impotence
Male impotence mainly affects men from the age of 40, sometimes being diagnosed with andropause. Indeed, due to a decrease in testosterone levels, it is sometimes necessary for more stimulation and time before guaranteeing a suitable erection.
Here are the estimated rates of men affected by impotence and by age group:
– 5% between 40 and 60 years old – 10% between 60 and 70 years old – 15% between 70 and 80 years old – 40% over 80 years old.
Risk factors
Apart from age or health problems, there are also major risk factors for male impotence.
– Tobacco – Certain medications such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, etc. – Stress – Overweight – Obesity.
That is, all conditions that damage the functioning of blood vessels. The same can cause long-term cardiovascular disease.
How to establish a diagnosis of impotence?
An International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) has been developed to be used as a diagnosis, but also as an assessment of response to treatment. (source)
The diagnosis will be made by a general practitioner to refer you directly to a urologist or sexologist if necessary. Male sexual impotence is not to be taken lightly since it can reflect major systemic failures such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. This is why it is important to consult if you experience this pathology for at least 3 months.
The diagnosis will be done in several parts, it will aim to:
– Confirm that the patient is indeed suffering from erectile dysfunction – Assess the severity of the pathology – Determine its cause – Identify the risk factors.
It will also be necessary to follow a physical examination where the genital organ, the endocrine and vascular systems as well as the prostate will be evaluated. Finally, the clinical analyzes will have to be put in place in particular to know the level of testosterone in the blood, the cholesterol level as well as the glucose and the lipids on an empty stomach.
Symptoms
The symptoms of impotence are:
– the inability to obtain and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse, – A low libido, i.e. a lack of sexual desire, – Stress or even anxiety at the idea of having intercourse sexual
What treatments are available for erectile dysfunction?
The good news is that almost all cases of male sexual impotence are curable today. Here are the solutions available to date to treat erectile dysfunction.
Drug treatments
There are many drug treatments for sexual impotence. The choice of treatment will be made by analyzing the cause of this dysfunction.
Oral treatments are possible and are listed as the reference treatment.They facilitate sexual stimulation and intra-cavernous relaxation, which facilitates the filling of the erectile bodies at the origin of the erection. You will mainly find Viagra and its generic Sildenafil, Cialis and its generic Tadalafil and Levitra and its molecule Vardenafil.
If the latter are effective in 30 minutes and can act up to 36 hours, they do however present health risks.
– Mild side effects : heartburn, headaches, backaches, muscle aches; – Moderate side effects : dizziness, fainting; – Severe side effects : allergic reactions, prolonged and painful erections, chest pain, heart problems.
Moreover, these medical treatments require a medical consultation and you must obtain a prescription to buy them from a pharmacy.
Dietary supplements and pills to promote erection can also help fight against impotence. These include Viasil, which you can find our analysis in our article: our opinion on Viasil, a natural capsule without a prescription.
Injections
If these pills do not work it is possible to inject directly into the penis at the intra-cavernous level. We will speak of hormone therapy if your testosterone level is the cause of erectile dysfunction thanks to the supply of testosterone by intramuscular injections. (source)
These injections are effective in 70% of cases, although quite restrictive. 30% of patients cannot bear the pain of the bite.
Electronics
Other solutions are possible to treat erectile dysfunction such as prostheses or vacuum pumps.
vacuum pumps
The doctor will be able to direct the patient towards solutions such as penis pumps, manual vacuum pumps if he has serious contraindications to drug treatment. Not only is this solution effective against impotence, but it does not require any surgical or drug intervention.
The pump works thanks to a tube placed on the penis which will create a depression to circulate the blood in the corpora cavernosa. A ring will be placed at the base of the penis to facilitate erection. This must remain in place throughout the sexual act, and no more than half an hour.
Note that it will first be necessary to consult a sexologist to elucidate potential psychological causes that could interfere with the functioning of the erection.
The prosthesis or penile implant
The prosthesis is the solution of last resort because it is permanent. Indeed, it is a palliative surgical intervention where a prosthesis is posed on the level of the penis.
This is recommended only if the recommended drug treatments are ineffective. Your doctor will guide the patient towards different choices of prostheses and will inform you of the risks involved in this operation.
The surgical procedure lasts approximately one hour and guarantees effectiveness in more than 95% of cases.
therapies
Especially for psychological causes, it is possible to resort to therapies to overcome sexual impotence.The specialist will then accompany the patient in several steps:
– Unblock childhood anxieties; – Find the cause via the patient's subconscious; – Work on feelings of pleasure in order to reduce stress; – Explain erectile dysfunction with full details to ease anxieties and non-performance concerns.
When it comes to focusing on stress and anxiety, it is also possible to turn to alternative therapies such as relaxation techniques, meditation, acupuncture or even yoga. (source)
These alternatives can have a huge impact in managing male sexual impotence. Nevertheless, few studies confirm their certain effectiveness in the face of more supervised drug therapy. (source)
Natural solutions
Acupuncture can also be a solution for a more natural alternative to drug treatments. Although the first results seem to be very convincing, other studies will have to continue to confirm the real effectiveness of Chinese medicine on male sexual impotence. (source)
Natural Viagras are also used to treat impotence without reliable studies having demonstrated their effectiveness. Among the natural solutions most often cited are:
– The aphrodisiac ginger : it is not only effective in boosting libido, but also in promoting erection. It is one of the most recognized natural aphrodisiacs for its virtues. (source) – Yohimbine Hydrochloride : this bark is very famous for being a natural vasodilator. (source)
Prevention to avoid impotence
To prevent impotence as much as possible, it consists of adopting a healthy lifestyle similar to that for increasing libido in men. Indeed, the practice of regular physical activity as well as a more balanced diet will improve health conditions such as obesity, hypertension or diabetes. Thus, the risk of impotence will be reduced or even disappeared. (source)
Similarly for the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and certain medications, these are to be banned in order to be able to prevent the symptoms of erectile dysfunction as much as possible.
Conclusion
Sexual impotence is a curable pathology in most cases and affects many more men than you might think. However, this requires the care of a general practitioner or a sexologist.