Impotence! The failure of a man to achieve and maintain an erection to have a successful and satisfactory intercourse can really prove a menace to his image. In medical terms, impotence is called as Erectile Dysfunction, which is becoming more and more common among men. While becoming common, concern on ED is getting more importance as people of all ages are looking for information as well as guidance to improve their sexual life.
Before knowing about the ED, we must know how erection takes place. It is a complex process that involves central nervous system and peripheral nervous system along with penis' problem. Other than these factors, psychological and vascular, hormonal factors also play an equally important role in erection. Erection is a successful and quick response to touch, smell, or visual stimuli that set off signals in the brain. These signals passes the information from the brain to the nerve centers present at the base of the spine, where major nerve fibers connect to the penis and control increased blood flow during erection and maintain the erection to have a great intercourse.
ED can attack a man through unnecessary side effects of medications. Moreover, it is an outcome of various physical problems, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, nervous system disorders, and depression. Once a time, it was a topic that was whispered in doctor's cabin but now more and more people are concerned and discuss it in open. Medical sciences have given way to several successful treatments to cure ED and improve quality of life. With the advent of vacuum devices, injectable drugs, ED is left no more as disease and discussion of guilt and shame. More interestingly, the disease and its cure were most publicized at the launch of the oral drug, Viagra in March 1998. It was estimated by NAMCS data that 2.6 million prescriptions were done at physician office in 1999, and one-third of them occurred during visits for a diagnosis other than ED.
ED is more commonly diagnosed in men aged 40 above. However, survey performed by National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS), a nationally representative sample of men and women aged 18-59 years identified 10.4% of men unable to achieve or maintain an erection during the past year.
There are many myths and misunderstandings are also associated with ED. One of them is premature ejaculation. Often it is considered as erectile dysfunction but actually this a rapid process in which excitement, erection, ejaculation and orgasm takes place quickly. This quickness leaves one of the partners unsatisfied. It is altogether a different problem and is treated in a different way.
Erectile dysfunction should be treated as soon as it is felt by partners. Partner should discuss the problem with a relaxed mind and consult their health professional. If you speak, you can definitely sort out ED but silence can spoil not just your love but also your self-confidence and quality of life. |
