CAUSES OF IMPOTENCE

CAUSES OF IMPOTENCE by SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Sexual dysfunction is a serious medical and social symptom that occurs in 10-52% of men and 25-63% of women. Erectile Dysfunction, the main reason of male impotence, is considered as one of the most important public health problems, since it affects a great percentage of men. Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the consistent inability to obtain or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual relations. An estimated 20-30 million men suffer from some degree of sexual dysfunction.

1.       Sexual dysfunction occurs commonly in middle-aged and older men.

2.       Impotence occurs in 50% of men with diabetes mellitus.

3.       Atherosclerosis is the cause of approximately 40% of Erectile Dysfunction in men older than 50 years.

4.       Among the most commonly recognized conditions associated are high blood pressure, lipid problems (cholesterol, triglycerides), diabetes, and cigarette smoking.

5.       Endocrine disorders like low testosterone and thyroid problems also contributes to Erectile Dysfunction.

6.       Pelvic trauma, pelvic surgery (major prostate, bladder, and bowel operations) and pelvic radiation therapies are also connected with Erectile Dysfunction.

7.       Direct trauma to the perineum can cause vascular problems in the penis and lead to Erectile Dysfunction that may be treatable by penile artery bypass surgery.

8.       Sexual dysfunction is also caused by various factors such as psychological disorders like anxiety, depression, stress, fear of sex, neurological disorders, stroke, cerebral trauma and Parkinson's disease, penile diseases like phinosis, peyroniesetc.

9.       Other organic causes include chronic renal failure, hepatic failure, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

10.  Chronic alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking also adversely affect sexual potency.

11.  Decrease in hormone level with age, systemic diseases like cancer also influences sexual ability.

12.  Erectile Dysfunction is also associated with some therapeutic agents like antihypertensives, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and drugs for diabetes mellitus.