Male Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

At some point in their lives, almost all men may have experienced partial impotence or occasional difficulty getting and keeping an erection.

However, if it is more than an occasional difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, if an erection is not as hard as it used to be, or if an erection cannot be achieved at all, the man is suffering from impotence.

Up to 30 million men in the United States were estimated to have experienced at least partial erectile dysfunction in their lives.

How Penile Erection Occurs

A man's penis has two chambers.

The first chamber is called the "corpora cavernosa", which runs the length of the penis. A spongy tissue fills these chambers. This spongy tissue contains fibrous tissues, smooth muscles, spaces, arteries and veins. The corpora cavernosa also is surrounded by the "tunica albuginea" membrane.

The second chamber called the "urethra" runs along the underside of the corpora cavernosa and is surrounded by the "corpus spongiosum".

Erection begins with mental and/or sensory stimulation. Sexual impulses from the brain as well as stimulation of local nerves cause the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to relax, allowing blood to flow in and fill the spaces inside these chambers.

Blood then creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa and expands the penis. The membrane, tunica albuginea, helps trap the blood in the chambers to sustain the erection.

But when penile muscles contract to stop the inflow of blood and open the outflow channels, penile erection is stopped or reversed.

Causes of Male Impotence

There are many known causes of impotence in men.

Penile erection involves a very precise sequence of events, and ED may occur when any one of the events in this sequence is disrupted.

This sequence includes nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, and the areas around the penis, as well as responses in veins, arteries, muscles, and fibrous tissues near or in the corpora cavernosa.

Damage to any of these areas, often resulting from a disease, is one of the causes of male impotence.

Some of the other causes of impotence in men are:

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and neurologic disease
Lifestyle choices and bad habits which contribute to heart disease and vascular problems raise the risk of males developing impotence
Lack of exercise, being overweight, chronic and excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are potential causes of erectile dysfunction
Surgery to treat cancer, especially bladder and prostate surgery, can damage the nerves and arteries near the penis

Other known causes are:

Penile injury as well as bladder, prostate, spinal cord, and pelvis injuries
Drugs such as antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs, tranquilizers, antihistamines, and appetite suppressants
Psychological factors such as anxiety, guilt, depression, stress, and fear of sexual inadequacy
Hormonal deficiency resulting from inadequate levels of testosterone and the less than optimal functioning of the pituitary gland

Male Impotence is Treatable

Erectile dysfunction can be treated. It is treatable at any age, and more men suffering from impotence are now seeking help and are able to return to normal sexual activity because of much improved and successful treatments.