Impotence – Causes & Treatments

A lot of good information and help for impotence is available to people who need it. The popularity of recent treatment has also helped remove some of the stigma associated with discussing impotence as more people realize it is often treatable at all ages.

Keeping in mind that there is usually an underlying physical condition that explains impotence, one’s doctor may be the best person to seek advice from. A doctor can determine whether an underlying physical condition, lifestyle factors, a prescription drug side effect, a psychological factor, or some combination of these is responsible for the impotence. He or she does this by taking a detailed personal and medical history, performing a physical examination, making a psychological evaluation, and running laboratory tests if necessary.

This information is then used to plan the best treatment. Urologists, or doctors who specialize in diseases of the urinary tract, are usually the ones who provide such treatment. A gynecologist, often in consultation with an urologist, may treat female sexual dysfunction.

Counseling can be tremendously helpful, particularly for psychological impotence. Counseling may help couples improve communication skills and communicate their sexual needs better, or provide practical tips for making sex physically fulfilling to both partners. If someone has suffered from abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder, counseling can help inculcate coping skills. People whose impotence is linked to depression, anxiety or stress can also benefit from counseling by a skilled professional and guidance on treatment that may offer relief for both the underlying psychological condition and for impotence.

There are several free and reliable sources on the Internet such as the American Urological Association website, that provide detailed information on the causes and treatment of impotence. These sources may be useful for both the person suffering from impotence and their sexual partner.

There are a number of drugs available for the treatment of impotence. They can be taken by mouth, injected into the side of the penis, or inserted into the male urethra. Impotence drugs should only be taken as prescribed by a physician. It is important to understand who can take these drugs safely and who should avoid them.

Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are the brand names of some commonly prescribed oral impotence drugs. They all act by relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis, thereby increasing blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. While Viagra has been used the longest and has the most safety data available, all three drugs are safe and comparable in efficacy.

Cialis has the longest duration of action, up to 48 hours, and has been nicknamed the ‘weekender’. These drugs should never be taken with nitrates, a group of drugs used to treat heart disease, as drug interactions can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. There are a number of conditions in which taking any of these drugs is contraindicated. Some common side effects such as headaches, flushing, diarrhea, and a stuffy nose may be experienced with any of these drugs. Labels for all three drugs are currently being modified to add nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked resulting in vision loss as a rare side effect.

Alprostadil (Caverject), papaverine (Pavabid), and phentolamine (Regitine) can be injected into the side of the penis with a tiny needle. These drugs act by increasing blood flow into the penis, and their dosage can be varied depending on how long they are required to act. The MUSE, or medicated urethral system for erections, involves the application of a small pellet containing alprostadil into the tip of the urethra.

Impotence falls into two broad categories, impotence caused by a physical condition and that caused by a psychological condition. Sometimes impotence due to a physical condition may be worsened by a psychological component. The treatment of impotence should always include treatment of the underlying cause as well.

Impotence may be treated with counseling, drugs, surgery, mechanical aids, or some combination of these. Psychological impotence lends itself best to counseling, though anyone with impotence can benefit from counseling on coping mechanisms and available treatment options. As far as drugs go, some drugs may cause impotence and replacing or removing them from an individual’s treatment plan may take care of the problem. If testosterone deficiency is the cause, replacement therapy can be started. Some drugs such as Viagra and Cialis, can be taken by mouth and act by relaxing smooth muscle in blood vessels, allowing them to carry more blood to the penis. Other drugs that also relax smooth muscle in blood vessels can be injected into the side of the penis with a tiny needle, or inserted into the tip of the male urethra in pellet form using a special applicator.

Surgical treatment options for impotence include different types of penile implants, surgery to slow down the flow of blood out of the penis, and surgery to improve the flow of blood into the penis. In some people, the use of a vacuum device or a penile splint may help the penis stay upright.

There are several lifestyle changes that may both treat impotence and prevent it. These include quitting smoking, losing weight, being physically active, treating high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and reducing stress. Besides improving sex drive and the ability to enjoy sexual intercourse, such changes can also help improve other underlying medical conditions.