Impotence is now more commonly referred to as erectile dysfunction (ED), or sometimes erection difficulties, and is a sexual health problem for at least one in every 10 men in the UK. If you have ED, this means that you’re unable to achieve or sustain an erection that’s adequate for sexual intercourse.
The obvious symptom of impotence is that you may find that you cannot achieve an erection at all, or you can achieve one, but it isn’t hard enough, or for a long enough length of time, to have sex. However, impotence can also take its toll on your mental and emotional wellbeing, as men with ED may feel angry, guilty, or depressed about the condition, and many lose interest in sex and their relationships suffer as a result.
Wellness experts believe that 70% of ED cases occur due to physical causes, and 30% have psychological triggers. Almost every man will experience occasions of impotence at some point in his life, often as a result of fatigue, stress or excessive alcohol consumption. ED can commonly occur in younger men due to anxiety, whether you’re worried about just about having sex, pleasing your partner or getting her pregnant.
If you’re a little older and wiser, stress, overwork and tiredness can still play a part in your ED, but physical causes are more common. This means diabetes, thyroid or kidney problems, high blood pressure, damage to nerves or blood vessels, pelvic surgery or trauma, heavy smoking and the side effects of medication. Atherosclerosis, which is damage to the small blood vessels which control blood supply to the penis, is one of the most common causes of impotence, and experts warn that ED could be a sign of a heart attack further down the line.
The underlying cause of your ED will determine your treatment plan. Firstly, talk to someone who understands the problem, such as your GP or a properly qualified specialist, to see if there are any physical triggers, what treatments will work best for you, and if it’s appropriate for you to consult a therapist, which your doctor can recommend. As in any problem in a relationship, you should talk to your partner about ED and you might like to consider sexual counselling.
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