THOUGH THIS is the age of Viagra, erectile dysfunction (or impotence) is still a problem for many men. Experts say most men experience erectile dysfunction from time to time. It is difficult to find local statistics but it is estimated that in the United States up to 40 million men between 40 and 70 years, experience erectile dysfunction (that is, they are unable to maintain an erection for 25 per cent of their attempts).
Various psychological and physiological activities must be in tact for an erection to take place. The man must be in a responsive emotional state of mind, he must have a normally functioning pituitary gland, adequate testosterone, intact brain and nervous system and adequate penile blood.
These processes can be affected by the use of some medications for example antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, antidepressants, tranquillisers, muscle relaxants, anti-Parkinson's Disease drugs, antihistamines and chemotherapy. Commonly abused substances such as alcohol, cocaine, ganja and nicotine (from smoking cigarettes) have also been linked to impotence.
Other causes associated with impotence include depression, stress, fatigue, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), complications of diabetes and deep-seated psychological problems. Most of the cases of impotence are said to be linked to medical (and not psychological) problems.
Most men also associate impotence with the ageing process but according to US surveys, 61 per cent of men older than 60, are reporting that they are sexually active and nearly half of them say the experience brings greater emotional benefit now than when they were in their 40s. These surveys also indicate that by age 40 about 5 per cent of men report complete erectile dysfunction; by age 65, 15 to 25 per cent of men are affected and 55 per cent of men older than 75 report chronic impotence.
Besides Viagra, there are various treatment modalities with varying success rates.
