If a man cannot maintain an erection during sex, or cannot have an erection at all, he is suffering from male impotence, or erectile dysfunction.
This, often emotionally painful, condition affects over 15 million men each year in the US alone, and is sometimes caused by emotional or relationship problems.
Occasionally it is only temporary, but if the symptoms persist, you should make an appointment to see your doctor who can then evaluate the cause (psychological or physiological) and find a suitable treatment.
What are the Causes? Male impotence can be caused by a number of factors.
It can be an interruption of the erection process (nerve impulses, the muscles, fibrous tissues or veins may not respond the way they should be and are disrupted in some way).
It could be caused by disease such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, vascular or kidney disease.
It could also be due to factors such as excess consumption of alcohol.
In addition, injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder or pelvis can lead to impotence by harming nerves, muscles, arteries and fibrous tissues of the surrounding area of the penis.
However, some of the most common causes can be attributed to stress, anxiety, guilt or depression, low self-esteem and even fear of sexual failure.
If your penis has a slight curve or bends to one side, your erectile dysfunction could be the result of Peyronie's disease.
Drug interference with a man's ability to have an erection accounts for one-fourth of all male impotence cases.
Diagnosis If you think you might be suffering from erectile dysfunction, your doctor can undertake a series of examinations and tests to determine the cause.
It is very important that you are honest, no matter how embarrassed you might feel.
If you suspect you may be suffering from impotence, or erectile dysfunction, your physician can conduct a termine if that is the cause of your erection difficulties.
The physician will begin by reviewing both your medical and sexual history.
It is important to be honest with your physician, no matter how embarrassed you feel talking about the subject.
Your doctor will carry out a physical exam to determine whether it is a case that your penis is not responding to touch, which could indicate problems within your nervous system.
Abnormal characteristics such as hair patterns or breast growth can indicate hormonal problems.
In other cause are suspected, your doctor will arrange for lab testing to help confirm the diagnosis.
If a psychological cause is suspected, a test, which includes an interview and questionnaire will reveal factors that will help uncover the primary causes which can then be addressed Treatment Treatment for male impotence is dependent on the cause and most doctors will seek treatment that ranges from the least invasive to the most invasive.
Sometimes it may just be a case of changing blood pressure medications, or psychotherapy and behaviour treatments and modifications may be followed.
Several drugs that can assist most cases of male impotence are now readily available on the market such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis.
These drugs work to enhance the effects of chemicals within the body that relaxes smooth muscles within the penis during stimulation and increase blood flow.