Causes and Treatments of Male Impotence

Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is a common problem that many men face as they grow older. Male impotence refers to a man's inability to obtain or maintain an erection during the course of sexual activity. Although impotence is a relatively common problem, sometimes it can hint at a more serious underlying systemic problem. Although most men believe that impotence is natural consequence of aging, the fact is that impotence is not directly caused by age. Rather, it appears as a side effect to common conditions that come with age, such as diabetes and diseases of the vascular system. Although it has recently been determined that women can also suffer from sexual impotence, this is still a young field that has yet to be investigated sufficiently. Male impotence has been researched extensively, so we know a lot about the causes of this often-embarrassing condition, and new treatments are always in development. All men should seek medical advice if they suspect they suffer from impotence, even if they are not sexually active or do no consider it a major problem. As previously mentioned, male impotence can sometimes be a symptom of serious systemic problems.

There are many well-known links between certain activities and conditions that may cause or exacerbate male impotence. Chronic use of tobacco, for instance, has been linked to male impotence. Studies have shown that chronic smoking causes difficulties in the blood's ability to flow through the arterial system with ease, thus reducing the amount of blood flow necessary to maintain a strong erection. Another cause of male impotence may be related to hormonal imbalance. Low levels of testosterone can be the cause of impotence, although this is relatively rare. Diabetes is another condition that has been linked to male impotence. Diabetes drastically alters the body's arterial blood flow. Sometimes diabetes causes damage to nerve endings or causes arteries to narrow, causing the way that blood flows through the body.

Another possible cause of impotence may be related to injury or trauma to the pelvic region. Any past injuries incurred during bicycle riding, horseback riding, or other activities may be at the root of sexual impotence. Diseases of the vascular system, such as heart disease and hardening of the arteries, have also been linked to impotence. Surgery in the pelvic area may also be responsible for causing permanent damage that may have resulted in impotence. Neurological impairment may also be a cause for male impotence, although this is generally rare. If the patient has sustained injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or suffers from any neurological disease such as Alzheimer's disease, they can very well be the cause for impotence. Other neurological diseases that have been linked to impotence include Parkinson's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Other possible causes of male impotence may include prescription drugs, especially medications used to treat depression or blood pressure. Finally, doctors have noted a strong psychological factor to impotence. Stress, anxiety and depression may very well be the root cause of impotence, rather than any physical factors.

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