Impotence

Impotence, more properly known as erectile dysfunction, is the condition in which a man cannot achieve an erection. Although for many men this can be a once-in-a-while problem, the term “erectile dysfunction” is reserved for those who are hindered by a continuous inability to develop an erection. The level of seriousness for erectile dysfunction, however, can vary. Some men are unable to get an erection at any time, whether at night, in the morning or at some other time. Others experience less hard erections, or erections that do not last long.

It would be wrong to think that erectile dysfunction is a new phenomenon when in fact it has quite a long history. The Bible contains a story about King David being punished for his adulterous and murderous misdeeds by eventually being unable to have sex. He was smitten with despondency and lack of sexual desire so badly that even when his aides sent him beautiful young virgin, he could do nothing with her. Witchcraft has also been attributed to impotence, as it was believed those who could not have intercourse with their wives were under an evil spell.

Scientific investigations into the causes of impotence in men
But the first scientific investigation into the causes of erectile dysfunction did not begin until the nineteenth century. Scientists observed the sexual behavior of roosters next to their castrated counterparts, known as capons. It was found that while the roosters chased the hens around, capons showed little interest until their testicles were surgically reinstated. Once this was achieved, these birds returned to being sexually aggressive.

This connection between testosterone and sexual desire marked the beginning of a truly scientific investigation into impotence. People seeking to treat this problem approached it from many different angles. Some considered mimicking the erections of walruses and whales, which have actual bone structures inside their phalluses. They tried implanting cartilage into the human penis and, although their efforts failed, they prompted the development of silicon prosthesis, nowadays quite popular.

Research into the physical causes of erectile dysfunction was stopped short when Freud attributed all impotence to the Oedipal complex. That is, when a man identifies his partner as similar to his mother, thereby causing guilt inhibiting an erection. This psychological approach dominated the field of study until only about 30 years ago, when more comprehensive research resumed and an explosion of knowledge occurred.

Correcting ideas about impotence
One of the most common misconceptions about impotence is that it is caused by a lack of manliness and that the man is a failure for not being able to achieve an erection. Also, many men feel they are alone in experiencing erectile dysfunction. The truth is, however, that nearly half of all men under the age of 40 have gone through either occasional or suffer from complete impotence, and that half of all men over 40 are to some extent affected by erectile dysfunction. There are a variety of medical and psychological conditions that can lead to impotence, and many of them can be can be addressed by a straightforward diagnosis.

The causes for impotence range from medical disorders to addictions and from vascular complications to a man’s state of mind. In looking through the many origins of erectile dysfunction it is important to keep in mind that they are legitimate conditions that have nothing to do with one’s degree of masculinity.

Certain vascular conditions can be attributed to causing impotence. These often involve a decreased level of circulation that triggers the body to respond by limiting blood flow to a low level, providing little help when an erection-which requires a lot of blood-needs to occur. Coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease along with high cholesterol and high blood pressure have all been linked to erectile dysfunction. In addition to this, various procedures, such as radiation therapy, undergone to fight prostate and colon cancer can result in impotence further down the road.

Connection between the brain and erectile dysfunction
There are also many conditions originating in the brain that can produce erectile dysfunction. These include lumbar disc disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, pituitary disease and multiple sclerosis. Liver failure, a specialized type of diabetes and the breakdown of the kidneys can also put a man at risk of erectile dysfunction.

Other causes linked blocking the healthy functioning of the nervous and circulatory systems include the abuse of alcohol, stress, drug abuse and, very importantly, smoking. Studies have shown that complete impotence is likely to hit more than twice as many smokers as it does non-smokers.

Certain surgical procedures occurring in the pubic and rectal areas, often for the purpose of rooting out cancer, can potentially interfere with the pelvic nerves, injuring them so that impotence results. If a man is injured on or near his sexual organs, it is possible that erectile dysfunction can come about. While examples of injury may involve the seemingly harmless act of riding a bicycle for long distances over time, there are more noticeable and serious impotence-causing injuries that can take place as well. These include anything involving direct impact or severing, and can occur with or without an actual lesion.

Psychological inhibitions to attaining an erection can spring from many different events or ideas in a man’s past or in his current life. Often times the causes can be sexual, arising when a man is anxious or unsure about his performance in bed. Problems in a couple’s marriage can lead to this impotence as well as a general fear of sex or a traumatic sexual experience in the past. If a man’s attitude toward sex is unhealthy, or if he is hindered by strict religious beliefs or fears, it is also possible to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Of the more general psychological conditions, depression is a leading cause of impotence. Behind the lackluster demeanor of a depressed person, there is an actual physiological decrease in the body’s general functioning. This includes the reduction of a depressed man’s sexual drive and his libido.