Impotence Symptoms

Impotence, also referred to as erectile dysfunction, can occur in men of any age and is defined as the inability to produce or sustain a firm erection long enough for intercourse. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, erectile dysfunction affects about 15 million to 30 million men in the United States. This condition is not considered a normal part of aging. Impotence is caused by medications, medical conditions and psychological issues. This condition may cause embarrassment, but is usually effectively treated.

• Elderly man

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for erectile dysfunction include age, since this condition affects 80% of men 75 years of age or older, having chronic health conditions, taking certain medications, substance abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, smoking, obesity, metabolic syndrome, prolonged bicycling, injury to nerves or spinal cord, and surgery to treat prostate, rectal or bladder cancer.

Causes

• Common medical causes of impotence include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, clogged blood vessels, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and Peyronie's disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, impotence may be the first sign of these medical conditions. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 35 percent to 50 percent of men with diabetes develop erectile dysfunction.

  According to the third edition of Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing, medications that may cause erectile dysfunction include high blood pressure medications, Digoxin, cimetidine, anticholinergics and antihistamines. Tobacco, alcohol or illicit drug use may also cause this condition. Psychological causes of impotence include depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue and conflict with your partner.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include the inability to initiate an erection, slowly developing erection and an erection that is not firm enough for intercourse or masturbation. These symptoms should happen at least 25% of the time to be considered an erectile dysfunction. An occasional occurrence of these symptoms is normal, but these symptoms could indicate an untreated medical condition.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of impotence may require a physical examination; blood tests; a neurological evaluation to assess nerve function; nocturnal tumescence test to evaluate your ability to have an erection while asleep; and imaging tests such as an ultrasound. A dynamic infusion cavernosometry and cavernosography (DICC) is a diagnostic test used to view blood flow in the penis.

Treatment

• Treatment of erectile dysfunction is achieved with the use of medications, treatment with prostaglandin E, testosterone replacement therapy, penis pumps, surgery to correct the cause of blocked blood flow, penile implants, psychological counseling and sex therapy. Medications to correct erectile dysfunction work by allowing an erection to occur in response to stimulation. These medications cannot be taken if you currently take certain medications or have certain medical conditions. Your physician will discuss with you the best treatment options for your situation.