Impotence at a glance
Impotence is the every man’s nightmare that depreciates the sex life of the men suffering with it. It has been found out during the study that every man suffers with the impotence at least once in his lifespan. Impotence is defined as the condition when a man fails to either get the erection or sustain the erection consistently during the sexual activity. Impotence is further classified into temporary or permanent, but both are equally devastating in disturbing the sex life of the men. Impotence reduces the self confidence and self esteem of the men as they lose the erection in between the sexual activity and are not able to satisfy their partner.Men suffering with impotence become more self conscious about their image in society and this affects there social as well as professional life.
Medical causes
TopCentral nervous system disorders
Spinal cord lesions from trauma produce sudden impotence A complete lesion above S2 (upper motor neuron lesion) disrupts descending motor tracts to the genital area, causing a loss of voluntary erectile control but not of reflex erection and reflex ejaculation. However, a complete lesion in the lumbosacral spinal cord (lower motor neuron lesion) causes a loss of reflex ejaculation and reflex erection. Spinal cord tumors and degenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord (such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) cause progressive impotence.
Endocrine disorders
Hypogonadism from testicular or pituitary dysfunction may lead to impotence from a deficient secretion of androgens (primarily testosterone) Adrenocortical and thyroid dysfunction and chronic hepatic disease may also cause impotence because these organs play a role (although minor) in sex hormone regulation.
Penile disorders
With Peyronie’s disease, the penis is bent, making erection painful and penetration difficult and eventually impossible Phimosis prevents erection until circumcision releases the constricted foreskin. Other inflammatory, infectious, or destructive diseases of the penis may also cause impotence.
Psychological distress
Impotence can result from diverse psychological causes, including depression, performance anxiety, memories of previous traumatic sexual experiences, moral or religious conflicts, and troubled emotional or sexual relationships.
Special considerations
Care begins by ensuring privacy, confirming confidentiality, and establishing a rapport with the patient No other medical condition affecting males is as potentially frustrating, humiliating, and devastating to self-esteem and significant relationships as impotence. Help the patient feel comfortable about discussing his sexuality. This begins with feeling comfortable about your own sexuality and adopting an accepting attitude about the sexual experiences and preferences of others. Prepare the patient for screening tests for hormonal irregularities and for Doppler studies of penile blood pressure to rule out vascular insufficiency.
Other tests include voiding studies, nerve conduction tests, evaluation of nocturnal penile tumescence, and psychological screening. Treatment of psychogenic impotence may involve counseling for the patient and his sexual partner; treatment of organic impotence focuses on reversing the cause, if possible. Other forms of treatment include surgical revascularization, drug-induced erection, surgical repair of a venous leak, and penile prostheses. Encourage the patient to maintain follow-up appointments and therapy for underlying medical disorders.
