Health Tips

Erectile or Impotence:

Erectile or Impotence dysfunction is a male problem where there is an inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is firm enough for intercourse or ejaculation or for both functions. Some authors consider impotence a problem if it occurs in twenty-five percent or more attempts at sexual intercourse.

Three different regions of tissue compose the penis:

there are two parallel spongy columns called the corpus cavernosum and there is one central column called the corpus spongiosum through which the urethra traverses. Under certain stimuli including sexy thoughts or sexy situations, the blood vessels supplying blood to these three regions began to shift blood into these areas. As a result, these spongy chambers almost double in size bringing on enlargement and rigidity of the penis—an erection.

Normal levels of male hormones including testosterone are needed for erections. And oxygen-rich blood is exceedingly important for erections. During sleep, males have high levels of oxygen rich blood and males usually have three to five erections per night lasting from twenty to forty minutes each.

Causes of impotence:

Most adolescents and virtually one hundred percent of males will develop an occasional period of impotence. Usually these are short-lived periods and may be due to unfavorable circumstances for sex, overuse of alcohol or other substances, psychological issues or concurrent illness. It this helpful to think of medical and non-medical causes of impotence.

The most common medical cause of impotence is a situation where the penis is deprived of oxygen rich blood. The primary cause of this situation would be blockage of the blood vessels that bring blood to the penis. Although much less likely in adolescents, blockage of the arteries with cholesterol plaques could limit blood flow to the penis. Diabetes may cause impotence as a complication of the disease where the blood vessels or nerves of the penis can diminish blood flow to the region. Regular bicycling may also cause impotence due to the repeated injury to the genitourinary region. This may reduce blood flow to the penis.

In any situation where the male hormone testosterone is lowered, this may reduce the male’s sexual desire. This could occur when a teen abuses anabolic steroids.

Medications may cause impotence. These could include medication for high blood pressure, anti-ulcer medications and antidepressants especially the serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Impotence has occasionally been reported with the use of antihistamines and anti-ulcer drugs. Overuse of alcohol is a common cause of impotence in adolescent males.

Most males with impotence appear to have some emotional issues directly tied in with the inability to have an erection, ejaculation or intercourse. For adolescents, impotence may affect a guy’s self esteem, self-confidence and his relationships with his sex partner. The fact that a male has impotence may perpetuate the problem.

Performance anxiety may also bring on impotence. The anxiety about one’s sexual performance can cause the brain to release neurotransmitters that constrict the muscles of the blood vessels in the penis. This constriction reduces the blood flow into the penis and encourages blood flow out of the penis. As a result the penis cannot become erect. Partners of adolescent males with impotence may feel rejected and resentful and perhaps guilty. There may be tension and anxiety between the partners that in itself will tend to perpetuate the sexual issues.

What are the symptoms of impotence?.

The symptoms of impotence are a change in the quality of the erection. The adolescent male may notice no erection, or a weak and soft erection. Also, the inability to keep the erection over a period of time is symptomatic of impotence. The erection is generally not rigid enough for the male to penetrate his partner.

How is impotence evaluated?.

A good history and physical examination is the first step in evaluation of impotence. The clinician will ask about chronic medical problems, medications, drugs of abuse and a history of psychological problems. Although it may be difficult, it is important for the adolescent to be frank and truthful with his answers to these questions. The clinician will also take a sexual history inquiring about partners, when erectile dysfunction occurs, problems in relationships and previous sexual difficulties. A physical examination is performed including an examination of the male genitals. Many males will also have a rectal examination to check the prostate.

Laboratory tests may be ordered depending on the results of the history and physical examination. The clinician may wish to determine the level of the male’s testosterone, blood sugar, cholesterol and perhaps the prolactin hormone.

How impotence can be treated?.

Although most adults with impotence may be treated with a trial of sildenafil (Viagra), in most cases where an adolescent is impotent, it is not used. In the vast majority of cases of impotence in adolescents, it is a transient situation. Often it is due to performance anxiety rather than disease. If an adolescent awakens in the morning with an erection, then the blood circulation to the penis is appropriate and it is very unlikely there is disease causing a blockage of blood flow.

If a medication is causing impotence, then that should be discussed with the clinician who prescribed that particular medication. Usually there are substitute medications that may not cause impotence.

Psychological counseling may be beneficial for those adolescent males who have persisting impotence and in whom no medical cause has been identified. Some mental health professionals specialize in this type of service. The teen may also discuss the situation openly with his partner. Sometimes impotence in a relationship suggests there are relationship issues that either need to be remedied or the relationship needs to be terminated.

Prevent From Impotence:

A healthy lifestyle may prevent impotence. Testosterone levels in older men were raised by twenty-five percent when they ran forty miles each week. Men who abuse alcohol and tobacco may be at higher risk for impotence. A healthy diet that keeps one’s cholesterol in check including a menu rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fiber may be helpful. Diabetics should strive to keep careful control of their blood sugars in order to help prevent blood vessel problems. Frequent erections stimulate blood flow to the penis and this may prevent impotence. If sexually active all teens need to use safer sex precautions..