It is estimated that one in ten men have problems with achieving and maintaining an erection. They are unable to achieve and maintain an erection long enough for intercourse.
The real tragedy, however, is that as many as 90 percent of such men may be suffering needlessly.
Great scientific advances in this area have been made. Perhaps the biggest discovery is that between 50 and 70 percent of all cases of impotence have a physical cause rather than a psychological one.
The courage to go to the doctor
Achieving an erection (hardening of the penis) is a complicated process that affects the hormonal, neurological and cardiovascular systems. Functional difficulties in any of these systems can result in erectile dysfunction. However, a man depressed and worried about sexual failure is not inclined to take this into account. He will probably assume that his problem is of a psychological nature, which will disappear on its own or will require a consultation with a psychotherapist, whom he may not want to confide in anyway.
The end result in both cases is that such a man will not seek treatment. And so, one thing, which is actually curable, remains present and makes a man's life (and a woman's) miserable. A man may eventually muster up the courage to tell his doctor about his erection problems, but he usually hears some nice quip from him, such as "that all good things must come to an end at some point".
If a man has a desire for sex - regardless of his age - the chances that he will have it are considerably high. Today, there are great possibilities to find the physical cause of the disease and to remove it. And what if it is not found? Then consultation with a psychotherapist or sexologist is recommended.
What men need to keep in mind above all, is that impaired sexual functions can be treated today in the same way as high blood pressure, excess body weight or high cholesterol in the blood. Here are the measures that a man, faced with impotence, should take into consideration: Do not succumb to the "manly" lifestyle.
Men need to understand that what is bad for physical health is likely to be bad for sexual health as well. For example - alcohol. Not only can alcohol sabotage potency in the short term, but chronic consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol can weaken the ability of the testicles to produce the male sex hormone testosterone, thereby permanently compromising potency.
Smoking can thwart sexual potency by contributing to the formation of deposits on the inner wall of arteries - especially peripheral ones such as those in the penis. The result can be weakened blood circulation, insufficient for the erection process.
However, in some men, smoking can interfere with potency much faster, in such a way that it prevents sufficient expansion (dilatation) of the blood vessels necessary for an erection. Quitting smoking in such cases often restores potency. Stress. Stress can harm the erection process physically and mentally. Ask yourself the next time how romantic you feel, whether you are tired and tense or when you are rested, lively and feeling strong. Feeling relaxed is an important component in the process of getting an erection. This is what many men forget.
Smoking can thwart sexual potency by contributing to the formation of deposits on the inner wall of arteries - especially peripheral ones such as those in the penis.
Consider possible illnesses
The list of diseases that can disrupt the formation of an erection is long. It is important to consider everything, especially if no other possible causes can be found.
Here are just some of the diseases that your doctor should look for: diabetes, atherosclerosis, diseases of erectile tissue in the penis (Peyronie's disease and priapism), hormonal abnormalities, neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, kidney and liver diseases, spinal cord damage, complications after operations on the prostate, bladder or colon.
Application of some procedures of today's medicine. If some disease is the cause of erection problems, it does not mean that such a person should give up completely.
Therapy
Penile injections. They are the best in saving potency in cases where the problem is caused by nerve damage - for example due to diabetes, surgery, spinal cord injury. Operation. Narrowed or blocked arteries that prevent blood circulation in the penis can sometimes be surgically reopened or bypassed (by-pass), and veins that leak blood and prevent erection can be ligated.
Implant (prosthesis, artificial insert in the penis). It is perhaps the most dramatic surgical procedure in recent times to restore potency. The idea itself may seem drastic and spooky, but it can also work. Medicines.
Today's pharmaceutical industry markets various drugs to help with impotence with varying degrees of success. Check the effects of the drugs. Even longer than the list of diseases that can negatively affect potency, is the list of medications. If you suspect that a drug may be the cause of your erection problems, check with your doctor.
Examine the psychological factor. Although today it is considered that most causes of impotence are primarily physical in nature, the psyche can also be a causative factor. Mental impotence is more likely to appear suddenly than physical impotence. One good way to tell the difference is the behavior of your penis at night.
If you have night-time erections or wake up with them in the morning, your problem is probably psychological in nature. Perhaps the best solution is consultation and possible therapy with a sexologist or psychotherapy with a psychiatrist.
Take care of yourself
This means that proper nutrition and regular exercise are important components for maintaining sexual fitness. High concentrations of cholesterol in the blood, a high percentage of fatty tissue in the body, high blood pressure - all of this can be brought under control, and it has been shown that all these conditions can contribute to the collapse of potency.
So, if you want to extend the life of your potency, try to follow the basic guidelines of a healthy life.
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