Also known as erectile dysfunction, impotence is a state where men are unable to get an erection or have one long enough to have satisfying sex. Impotence makes it nigh impossible for men to have penetrative sex.
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Sex Is Complex
Sexual functionality is a composite of many different factors in the body. Brain is involved to cater to the emotion side of sex; the arousal and need. Brain then sends signals to the muscles of the groin, via the PNS. Then, blood supply is needed to enable the spongy tissue in the penis to fill with blood, and thus become erect.
Physical stimulation can also cause erection, thus the tissue and nerves of the groin also play an important role. Suffice to say, as erection is influenced by various factors, the causes of impotence are also aplenty.
Physical Causes Of Impotence:
While having an occasional episode of difficulty getting erect is not something that is of grave concern, but a perpetual state is a worrisome condition that merits expert intervention. Whereas only expert like the Sexologist in Lahore can say for sure what’s causing your impotence, following are common physical causes of impotence:
Diseases
At times, erectile dysfunction is a consequence or complication of other diseases in the body. As blood supply plays a pivotal role in formation of erection, therefore, any diseases that affect blood supply like hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and other cardiovascular issues may result in impotence.
Similarly, diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, MS, that affect the nervous system, also cause erectile dysfunction. Obesity may not be a disease, but is a harbinger of diseases, that leads to ED.
Peyronie’s disease, remarked by formation of scar tissue around the penis is also responsible for impotence. People suffering from metabolic syndrome are also at risk of ED.
Injury
Injury of the spinal cord and the penis can also disrupt the mechanism of erection formation, consequently leading to erectile dysfunction.
Low Testosterone
Testosterone is a male hormone that plays an important role in the sexual drive of men. When these levels run low, person not only experiences less urge to have sex, but they are less able to have satisfying sex. In certain cases, impotence may result as well.
Lifestyle Choices
Certain lifestyle choices also result in physical conditions that are precursors of impotence. Smoking is one such habit; it leads to problems with the cardiovascular system, resulting in erectile dysfunction.
Similarly, alcohol and substance abuse affect the brain, thereby impeding the formation of erection.
Medications And Treatments
Impotence can also be side-effect of certain medications and treatment. Men who have had prostate surgeries, or surgeries of the pelvic region and spine have a higher risk of impotence. Treatment for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate also often lead to erectile dysfunction.
Psychological Causes Of Impotence:
Whereas the physical issues affecting the sexual health are present more in and after midlife, psychological issues afflict the younger men, and are most probable cause of impotence in young men.
Stress
Brain needs to send signals for the blood to flow to the penis to cause erection. Stress impedes this response due not only to its psychological impact, but also its physical impact on the body. The change in the blood flow, hormone levels and emotions in the body then results in lack of physical arousal.
Moreover, stress also causes increase risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, which in turn increase the risk of impotence.
Stress also starts a vicious cycle; stress leads to impotence, and impotence in turn leads to even further stress. Person thus gets caught up in this cycle of stress and requires psychological help to get out of.
Stress induced impotence has good prognosis. Factors causing stress like job, relationship issues, finances etc. are variable factors and can be abated. Moreover, therapy can help control stress, thus, the cause of ED can be mitigated.
Mental Disease
Conditions like depression cause the person to be in a perpetual state of blue. It therefore becomes very hard for the person to get in the mood, but that’s not all contributing to their sexual issues.
Depression leads to changes in the neurotransmitters in the brain, and thus this change in the chemicals in the brain prevents the signals from getting to the penis. So, not only does the person not want to have sex or not enjoy it, but they also cannot get an erection in certain cases.
At times, the medication to treat the mental conditions like schizophrenia may also then cause an issue of impotence.
Performance Anxiety
In this state, person gets very concerned about their sexual prowess, and being able to satisfy their partner. They thus cripple under stress of expectations. Low self-esteem and self-worth compound the condition, till the anxiety gets to the point of ED.
Prognosis
There are many treatment options available for impotence, depending of course, on the underlying cause. Some patients get better with counselling, others may take certain medications. Surgical interventions are also present. You can confer with your Sexologist in Karachi the appropriate treatment option and get on the track of wellness.