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Impotence Causes, Treatments and Remedies
Impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual dysfunction among men characterized by a total inability, or inconsistent ability, to develop or maintain an erection. This problem may be caused by one or more physical, medical or psychological conditions.
Estimates on the incidence of impotence range from 15 million to 30 million, depending on the specific definition of erectile dysfunction used.
It is estimated that in 1985, about 8 physician visits out of every 1,000 men in the U.S. were made for ED. This rate has increased to almost 23 by 1999.
Public attention to impotence surged when "sildenafil", the first effective pharmacological remedy for erectile dysfunction, was introduced in the 1990s. A barage of heavy advertising and news stories further caused an increase in public awareness on it.
Causes of Impotence
Impotence may be caused by one or more underlying conditions or factors.
Hormonal deficiency resulting from inadequate levels of testosterone, diabetes or coronary artery disease, various medications such as those used to control high blood pressure or change central nervous system responses --- any of these conditions can cause impotence.
Psychiatric medications, especially those called SSRIs, also were shown to cause male impotence and female impotence or sexual dysfunction.
Restriction of blood flow or lack of penile blood supply --- often associated with coronary heart disease --- and excessive alcohol use also have been recognized as some of the causes of impotence.
Interestingly, a 2002 study also showed that bicycling can cause impotence. The study showed that prolonged periods of pressure on the penis from the bicycle saddle was directly related to impotence.
What is called psychological impotence, on the other hand, is a more complex condition. Practically anything a patient thinks or believes may either cause or reverse sexual dysfunction.
Impotence Treatments
Most treatments for impotence work on a temporary basis and are available depending on the underlying cause of the ED.
Impotence drugs that are injected, taken orally or used as penile suppositories --- designed to increase the efficacy of nitric oxide to dilate the blood vessels of the main erectile tissue of the penis ("corpus cavernosum") --- are being used to treat impotence.
Testosterone supplements also may be taken to address hormonal deficiencies.
Impotence Drugs
Several studies on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases enzymes led to the discovery of PDE5 inhibitors "sildenafil"(Viagra), "vardenafil" (Levitra) and "tadalafil" (Cialis).
These impotence drugs are taken orally and work by causing the smooth muscles of the penile arteries to relax, which then allows the main erectile tissue of the penis to be filled with blood.
Clinical tests on new impotence drugs are also underway. Some of them are touted to be even more effective and produce lesser side effects than the ones currently available.
Impotence Cures: Are They For Real?
There are a number of so-called cures for impotence, ranging from herbs (such as ginseng), to natural and synthetic drugs or compounds (such as the experimental drug bremelanotide, which supposedly increases sexual drive and sexual desire in both men and women).
Naturally-occurring ingredients such as L-arginine aspartate and Pycnogenol (Prelox) --- which in double-blind tests were judged by participating men to be effective in improving their ability to engage in sexual activity --- are alleged to be effective supplements that help with impotence.
Other Impotence Aids and Remedies
There are other remedies for impotence.
For women, a Procter and Gamble impotence remedy called Intrinsa was introduced in the U.K. in March 2007. A hormone-based, prescription-only body patch, Intrinsa is being marketed as a sex stimulant that is suppowed to improve women's libido.
For men, penile implants, although irreversible and very costly, may also be done surgically to replace damaged organs. Vacuum pumps (used to induce erection) and compression rings (to maintain the erection) are also used to help with penile erection.
Getting Help with Impotence
There aren't many men and women who will openly talk about impotence. Some will try to deny it, but others who realize they can get help will talk about it with a doctor.
Sexual dysfunction can be an embarrassing condition to deal with for many people. Maybe even talking to their doctor about it will be difficult.
But if men and women feel that getting help with their impotence will improve their lives, they should seriously consider speaking with their doctor to find out what can be done to treat it or alleviate their condition.