Speaking of erectile dysfunction, it is necessary to immediately clarify the terminology. Today, most specialists dealing with “male problems” use the term erectile dysfunction. The term “impotence” is a thing of the past. Not quite an accurate description of the condition and the widespread use of the word in everyday life led to its “discredit” as a medical term.
Today, the words “impotence” and “impotent” have a “vulgar-abusive” connotation, and therefore are unacceptable in a conversation between a patient and a doctor. Given the connection between erectile dysfunction and mental health, urologists, sexologists and psychotherapists have decided to abandon this stamp at the highest level. We will also adhere to this terminology. There are no impotents. We’ll fix everything.
So what is erectile dysfunction. In 1992, the leading urologists of the world agreed to understand this condition as the inability to achieve or maintain an adequate erection of the penis, which in turn limits or makes satisfactory sexual intercourse improbable. Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction is such a widespread phenomenon that scientific conferences and symposia are devoted to it today. Dozens of scientific monographs are devoted to its individual types.
According to the most rough estimates, about 10 million men suffer from erectile dysfunction in the United States alone. According to German scientists, this figure in a united Germany is approaching 5 million. Obviously, in Ukraine, men with erectile dysfunction are no less numerous. Chronic stresses characteristic of a society in a difficult economic period, malnutrition and, as a result, atherosclerosis, smoking, play a negative role in the state of the sexual sphere of people. Both in men and women.
Impotence occurs in 40% of men aged 35–40 years. Many men are ashamed to address this problem to the urologist, but a weak erection or loss of erection during intercourse is already a reason to visit a doctor.
There are many causes of erectile dysfunction:
- inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system and pelvic organs (prostatitis, orchiepididymitis, cystitis, etc.);
- insufficient arterial blood flow in the vessels of the erectile mechanism;
- diabetes;
- hormonal disorders;
- smoking;
- all kinds of spinal injuries;
- penis injury;
- operations on the pelvic organs;
- taking medicinal products;
- depression, stress.
That is, impotence can be caused by vascular, neurological, endocrine, drug and local causes, which are related to the organic form of erectile dysfunction. The most common psychological form, in which problems with erection appear due to the psycho-neurological characteristics of a man.
Almost always, erection problems that are caused by organic causes are accompanied by a psychological component that may not disappear, even after the underlying cause of the disease has been eliminated.
The unwillingness of men to go to doctors about impotence is a big problem for doctors all over the world, but it is especially relevant in our country, where it is not very customary to go to doctors with personal problems. Meanwhile, modern medicine has a very significant arsenal of tools needed to help such patients.
In principle, any measure aimed at improving and normalizing any body functions can be considered as a means of restoring erectile function. Therefore, in combination with other therapeutic measures, physiotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, magnetic and laser therapy are often used.
Organic impotence is characterized by a progressive loss of erectile function, manifested by a decrease in the quality of erection. With the organic genesis of the disease, the disappearance of night and morning spontaneous erections is noted. The most common causes are all kinds of vascular pathologies of an arterial or venous nature. Studies have shown that in healthy men during the night, in the phase of REM sleep, there are 4-6 episodes of erections, lasting 10-15 minutes. The total duration of spontaneous erections during the night is 1.5 hours or 20% of the total sleep time.
Psychological impotence occurs suddenly and is traditionally associated with certain events in life. With this nature of the disease, night and morning spontaneous erections are preserved. Erections are often induced by visual stimulation or erotic fantasies.
How to avoid erectile dysfunction?
To date, there is no clear answer to this question, so we will have to limit ourselves to only general recommendations. To prevent the development of erectile dysfunction, you should:
- lead a normal healthy lifestyle, eat right and regularly, play sports, monitor your health;
- do not abuse smoking, alcohol, do not use narcotic products;
- do not use medications that can cause erectile dysfunction, or use them only strictly as directed by a doctor, in accordance with the instructions for their use;
- have a regular sexual life, without long periods of abstinence and sexual excesses;
- be sure to consult a urologist if you have been injured in the pelvic area, perineum, if you have surgery on the pelvis, if you have diabetes or hypertension.