What is impotence: what are the symptoms and causes of erectile dysfunction?

Impotence, erectile dysfunction is a condition of a man's inability to have sexual intercourse. Why this common disorder occurs and what treatment and prevention options are available, you will learn in the article.

What is impotence?

Impotence is a disease characterized by long-term erectile dysfunction. Specifically, for a period of at least 3 months. It is a medical problem with the development or maintenance of an erection of the male sex organ.

Impotence is the most common sexual disorder in men. Its incidence increases with increasing age.

Erection is the process of sexual arousal in a man. It occurs when blood vessels dilate, filling the penis with blood and simultaneously restricting the outflow of venous blood.

The condition of impotence may or may not be associated with impaired sperm production and quality. Therefore, impotence does not automatically mean infertility.

However, impotence with absolute impossibility of erection and ejaculation leads to infertility.

A single exceptional erectile dysfunction does not imply impotence. Erection is influenced by alcohol level, smoking, psychotropic substances, excessive physical and mental activity and exposure to stress.

Impotence can be a disease of organic origin within a medical diagnosis. It is often associated with external factors such as improper lifestyle.

The biggest risk factors are increasing age, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking tobacco products.

Impotence can be triggered by diseases such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular disorders.

Risk civilisation diseases are diabetes mellitus (diabetes), obesity, spinal cord and nervous system injuries, neurological disorders, hormonal disorders or disease itself and enlargement of the prostate gland.

Congenital disorders in the sense of physiological disturbances in the shape and size of the penis or disturbances in fertility and sperm production itself are a serious factor.

As men grow older, blood circulation deteriorates and the level of the hormone testosterone decreases. This is very important for libido, sex drive, sperm production and also for the functioning of erections.

Cardiovascular diseases are indirectly related to the reproductive system. These are mainly cardiovascular and civilisation diseases related to the condition of the heart and vasodilation of blood vessels.

When the function of blood vessels and blood pressure is disturbed, the mechanism of penile erection can be damaged or weakened.

These are mainly cholesterol, high blood sugar and insufficient blood flow, which causes insufficient blood supply to the blood vessels of the penis. Erectile problems may also lie in the function of blood retention in the penile corpora lutea.

Prostate disease in the sense of benign enlargement (hyperplasia) of the prostate gland may cause some impairment and lower quality of erection in addition to urological problems.

In the case of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction is one of the symptoms of the disease, as is difficulty urinating or pelvic pain.

A possible cause of impotence is the side effect of pharmacological treatments designed for cardiovascular disorders, hormonal imbalance, depression or pain management drugs.

A risk factor is also the result of an injury or surgery in the spine, pelvis and the male reproductive system.

Psychogenic factors play an important role.

Often impotence is associated with psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety or excessive stress in a man's daily life.

In addition to the quality of the erection, the psychogenic factor also relates to the sex drive itself, fertility and the achievement of ejaculation.

Although the lifestyle factor is often taken lightly, the influence of an unhealthy lifestyle is also dangerous in the area of male potency and erectile function.

Properly adjusted and balanced diet, enough appropriate physical activity, elimination of stress and last but not least avoidance of tobacco products, psychotropic substances, drugs and alcohol consumption.

In smokers, there is often a problem with blood flow to the penis due to narrowing of blood vessels. Toxic substances from cigarette smoke also damage the maturation of sperm cells, which subsequently lose the necessary mobility and proper shape.

Drug use is often associated with erectile dysfunction. In particular, combining a drug with a specialist potency drug can be dangerous because of the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Improper lifestyle in the form of alcohol consumption and smoking has a great influence on both the development of erectile dysfunction and sperm fertility.

Summary of the most common causes of impotence:

• Congenital disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hormonal disorders
• Prostate disease
• Diseases of the nervous system
• Injury and mechanical damage
• Pharmacological treatment
• Psychogenic factor
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking of tobacco products
• Drug use

Impotence as an erectile disorder can manifest itself as a weakened or short erection, the absence of morning erection, a problem with ejaculation to absolute erectile dysfunction.

Hand in hand with time, decreased sex drive and libido or psychological distress and excessive stress may occur.

The most common manifestations of erectile dysfunction:

• Slow onset of penile erection
• Insufficiently hard erection
• Temporarily short erections
• Repeated erections with flaccidity
• Problem with ejaculation
• Absence of morning erection
• Erectile weakness during intercourse

The basis of diagnosis is to identify the specific cause and any combination of causes why erectile dysfunction in men occurs.

Part of the diagnostic examination by a physician includes taking a medical history. The medical history examines family genetic factors, lifestyle, and medical diagnoses of the patient that could potentially be related to impotence.

A conversation with the physician about the psychosocial and sexual aspects of the man's life is also appropriate. In some cases, the physician may recommend a conversation with a psychologist/psychiatrist.

After the history is taken, a comprehensive examination of the genital organs and laboratory tests of blood and urine are performed. The laboratory examination examines hormone levels, glycaemia, lipids and inflammatory processes in the body.

In some cases, a spermiogram is performed to determine fertility and sperm status.

The urological examination includes a basic palpation of the testicles and a per rectum examination of the prostate.

The doctor also applies a superficial ultrasound examination of the male excretory and genital system. A specific ultrasound of the arteries of the penis and an examination of the pressure and blood flow in the penis are also performed.

The injection of the substance prostaglandin into the body artificially induces an erection. The ultrasound is then used to view the ability of the penis to vasodilate.

Prevention of healthy potency

Primary prevention of healthy potency is related to the professional treatment of the diagnosis for which the man is being treated and which is the cause of erectile dysfunction. The key to health is a professional examination by a urologist and determination of the etiology.

As part of men's health prevention, it is advisable to have a preventive examination by a urologist after the age of 40.

Prevention of male reproductive health and potency is based on an appropriate lifestyle.

Enough physical activity, elimination of excessive stress, limitation of alcohol, smoking, drugs and last but not least setting a balanced diet with the necessary content of nutrients.

It is advisable to limit highly processed and excessively fatty foods.

Tips for preventing potency:

• A balanced healthy diet
• Limit high-fat foods
• Limit highly processed foods
• Intake of necessary vitamins and minerals
• Weight management
• Elimination of stress factor
• Quality regular sleep
• Movement and physical activity
• Alcohol restriction
• Reduction of smoking
• Reduction of drugs
• Natural herbs help

The expert guarantor of the article, Zuzana Kožlejová, MD, PhD, adds information:
Don't be afraid to talk about intimate problems with your doctor. Often, it is a solvable problem and the unsolvable is only in your head. The doctor will help you treat the health problem. Your quality of life will eventually improve. Last but not least, it can often reveal another, more serious problem.

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