Facts about Impotence
Although impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, may not be something men want to discuss openly with their physicians, an estimated 18 million of them do suffer from this condition in the United States alone. Impotence can be caused by many different issues and understanding that cause can be important in choosing the most appropriate form of treatment.
Psychological Causes
For many men, temporary problems with erectile dysfunction (ED) can be traced back to psychological problems. Stress, worry, depression, guilt, and similar negative feelings can cause a man to have a problem getting an erection. Relationship problems, performance concerns, and fatigue may also contribute to the problem.
The good news is that these causes are usually only temporary. The bad news is that Viagra might not alleviate ED caused by these factors.
Physical Causes
Men suffering from chronic ED usually can trace their problem back to one or more health issues. For example, 15% of men suffering from high blood pressure experienced impotence at some point, according to a study on Massachusetts Male Aging. Diabetes which can cause nerve damage and can cause problems in blood vessels causes impotence in as many as 50% of male patients.
In addition to chronic health conditions, some medications may also be linked to problems with impotence. Drugs including antihistamines, tranquilizers, and beta blockers can all interfere with the body’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
Smoking also significant increases a man’s risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction. Smokers between the ages of 31 and 49 had an 80% greater chance of developing this problem when compared to non-smokers in the same age group. The problem is that the nicotine in cigarettes causes the blood vessels to narrow so blood flow is reduced and erections are made more difficult to achieve.
While dealing with these underlying causes can help, medications such as Viagra are also useful in helping men regain their ability to achieve an erection.
