Impotence or impotence is the inability of the penis to erect or maintain an erect position during sexual intercourse. This condition is experienced by some men as they age. However, apart from age, impotence can also occur due to many other factors.
Impotence is more common in the elderly. This condition is generally experienced by men aged 60 years and over. Even so, men in productive age can experience it.
Men are called impotence if it is difficult to get an erection every time they want to have sex, for a period of 6 months or more. If a man only has occasional difficulty getting an erection or maintaining an erection, he doesn't necessarily have impotence.
Symptoms of impotence include:
- It is difficult to achieve an erection even though you have received enough stimulation.
- Difficulty maintaining an erection so that you can't ejaculate or have an orgasm.
- Sometimes accompanied by a decrease in sexual desire.
This condition can cause sufferers to feel ashamed, hopeless, and even depressed. In addition, impotence can also make relationships with partners less harmonious and cause infertility in men.
Some Causes of Impotence
Impotence can be caused by various factors. The following are some of the conditions that most often cause impotence:
Unhealthy lifestyle
Smoking habits, consuming alcohol, lack of sleep or staying up often, and using drugs can cause problems with blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the penis. This can make it difficult for a man to get an erection and maintain an erection.
In addition, men with excess body weight and lack of exercise are also more prone to impotence.
Psychological disorder
In addition to physical factors, impotence can also be caused by psychological disorders or prolonged severe stress.
Several studies show that men who have psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, recently divorced or abandoned by a partner, or have excessive concerns about their sexual performance, have a higher risk of experiencing impotence.
Hormonal disorders
Male sex drive or desire is regulated by a sex hormone called testosterone. When the amount of testosterone decreases, men will have difficulty achieving sexual satisfaction and are prone to impotence.
In addition, impotence can also be caused by several other diseases due to hormonal disorders, such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and hypogonadism. These diseases can cause complications in the form of nerve disorders and reduced blood circulation in the penis, causing impotence.
Disease cardiovascular
Conditions that affect the heart and its ability to pump blood can trigger impotence. This is because the lack of blood flow to the penis can cause a person not to achieve an erection. Other cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and atherosclerosis, can also cause erectile difficulties.
Men who suffer from hypertension, high blood sugar, and excessive cholesterol are a group that includes a high risk of experiencing impotence.
Drug side effects-medicine
Certain medications can cause side effects that affect blood flow to the penis, causing impotence. The drugs in question are antihypertensive drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, drugs for heart disease, sedatives, and chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Prostate or bladder surgery
Men who have surgery on the prostate and bladder are at risk for impotence. This happens because of the possibility of damage to the blood vessels or nerves around the penis due to the operation.
Impotence symptoms that appear can be temporary or permanent after surgery. If this condition occurs, treatment or medication may be needed to help restore erectile function.
Disorders of the penis
Some conditions or disorders of the penis, such as Peyronie's disease, injury to the penis, and epispadias, can cause impotence. This happens because the disease can cause disturbances in blood flow, nerves, and the shape of the penis, so that the penis becomes difficult to erect.
How to Overcome Impotence
If it occurs occasionally, such as when you are tired or stressed, erectile dysfunction may not be a dangerous thing. However, if it occurs every time you want to have sex, this condition should be checked by a doctor.
After conducting an examination and confirming the diagnosis and cause of impotence, the doctor will provide appropriate treatment according to the cause.
The following are some treatment for impotence that can be done by a doctor:
Use of drugs
Doctors can give medicines to treat diseases that cause impotence. After the disease is resolved, usually complaints of difficulty in erection will also disappear.
In addition, doctors can also give drugs that can maximize erections, such as: sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil to overcome impotence. However, keep in mind, these drugs must be used as prescribed and recommended by a doctor to prevent side effects.
Testosterone hormone therapy
In addition to medication, your doctor may recommend testosterone hormone therapy to increase libido or treat impotence in men who have testosterone deficiency.
Psychotherapy
Cases of impotence caused by psychological disorders can be overcome by counseling to a psychologist or psychiatrist. After the problem is known, the psychologist or psychiatrist can perform psychotherapy to overcome impotence experienced by the patient.
Operation
Surgery to treat impotence is generally done if there are abnormalities in the penis that make it difficult for the penis to get an erection.
In addition to the methods above, to prevent and help overcome impotence, you need to eat nutritious food, get enough rest, avoid stress, don't consume alcoholic beverages, don't smoke, and don't use drugs outside of the doctor's advice, including drugs. .