Everything you need to know about impotence (erectile dysfunction).
Erectile dysfunction means that a man is unable to get or maintain an erection for the time needed to have a normal sexual intercourse.
There are many causes, for example, any type of disease that affects the blood vessels of a man, neurological pathologies, mental health, trauma, medications (side effects of any medication), excessive alcohol consumption, and more.
Men, keep in mind that your feelings are important for an erection - it is desirable to be relaxed, confident and aroused. Keep in mind that it is completely normal to have erection problems sometimes, for example, when tired, nervous, anxious or frustrated.
Doctors divide impotence into 4 main categories:
- Vascular erectile dysfunction;
- Neurogenic erectile dysfunction;
- Hormonal erectile dysfunction;
- Psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
Statistically, more than 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 have erectile dysfunction. Doctors suspect that the number is much higher, because men often do not want to talk about this problem out loud and try to fix the situation on their own.
The following symptoms are characteristic:
- You rarely have an erection;
- You may have an erection before intercourse, but you are unable to maintain it, therefore, the connection is not established;
- You do not have an erection at all;
- You use a lot of stimulation to have an erection.
The risk of impotence is high with the following factors:
- A man's age (40 years and older);
- Diabetes;
- A high body mass index (over 25);
- Depression;
- You are not physically active;
- Tobacco use.
Men, please note that erectile dysfunction does not heal on its own and requires either lifestyle changes or appropriate treatment (it all depends on the cause).
The doctor will take a medical history and conduct a physical examination, and will be interested in your personal and sexual history. You may feel embarrassed by the questions, but this list is necessary and it is also important to answer honestly, because this is how the anamnesis is collected.
You are expected to be asked the following questions:
- Are you taking any medications;
- Do you have depression or anxiety confirmed by a doctor;
- Are you often in a stressful environment;
- Do you have problems in your relationship;
- How often do you have an erection;
- Do you lose your erection because you ejaculate too quickly;
- When did you first notice the signs of impotence and what was the cause, what do you associate it with;
- Do you have an erection at night or in the morning?
- What type of position do you regularly use during sex?
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction
