Impotence: It's Reversible

Impotence ....... It's Reversible

Impotence implies the inability to attain or maintain a penile erections sufficient for intra-vaginal intercourse. It is commonly referred to as erectile dysfunction or simply ED. New and truly revolutionary treatments have refined our knowledge of normal and abnormal penile function. Yet millions of American men quietly suffer from impotence.

Because sexual desire continues throughout life, men faced with erectile dysfunction naturally become frustrated, embarrassed and often depressed. Obviously, these emotional factors take toll on relationships. Erectile dysfunction causes men to withdraw from relationships due to performance anxiety. That is, when faced with the prospect of being called upon to perform intercourse, vulnerable men with erectile dysfunction commonly back away and make excuses, when in fact they greatly desire to participate in a loving sexual relationship.

Withdrawal from physical closeness by a man with ED is commonly mistaken by his wife as a form of rejection.

Withdrawal from physical closeness by a man with ED is commonly mistaken by his wife as a form of rejection. Due to a total lack of understanding, some women actually accuse their husbands of being unfaithful. This miscommunication leads to conflict which deepens the rift between partners. Although the primary cause of ED is physical, the conflict between partners often leads to escalation of the emotional component of the erection problem. This leads to performance anxiety on the part of the man who begins to feel pressure to achieve and maintain an erection, to prove his love and devotion. The predicament only worsens each time he fails to deliver. The resulting situation is sometimes like an emotional roller coaster.

Men with ED commonly feel as if they are no longer masculine and many become depressed and even ashamed to admit the reality of this extremely common, truly physical problem. Most men find themselves having difficulty reaching out for help because of embarrassment. In fact, the majority of men with this problem do not seek medical help. They commonly discuss the problem with no one at all. Those fortunate men in open, committed, supportive relationships may be able to honestly speak with their partners about the problem. This is very helpful because wives are commonly more familiar with access to needed health care. The female partner often leads her husband to seek medical advice. Of course, this is the first step to recovery.

With the development of medications such as Viagra, the problem of erectile dysfunction has gained some notoriety. While most any doctor can write a prescription for Viagra, most doctors have no formal training at all with regard to erectile dysfunction. Most physicians would never ask patients about sexual problems. because until recently, most physicians felt that they had no treatment that they could personally offer patients. Most doctors are busy with what they consider to be more important medical problems and they fail to understand the emotional toll taken when patients experience impotence.

... men remain interested in sex for their entire lives ...

Normal sexual function truly is important to men. Surveys have shown that most men remain interested in sex for their entire lives and most men (and women) prefer to have sex twice as often as a actually do! In a USA Today readers pole, men rated making love as their most favorite home activity. Normal sexual function is clearly important to a man's since of health and well-being.

The causes of erectile problems are many. Any disease that affects blood vessels, nerves, hormones or even emotions may cause impotence. These include hypertension, heart disease, various surgeries and peripheral vascular disease. One of the most common medical problems that causes erectile dysfunction is diabetes. The reason for this is that diabetes may affect blood vessels, nerves and hormones. In many cases no obvious cause may be apparent to men with erection problems. This makes it all the more important to see the urologist for a thorough medical examination, which sometimes uncovers previously undiagnosed medical conditions. Of course, impotence resulting from any cause can be effectively treated, if an interested and well-trained urologist is available.

... the erection problem causes the emotional stress and depression, rather than the other way ...

Just several years ago, medical professionals were taught that impotence was psychological... "just in your mind" some might say. While emotional issues are associated with most cases of erection problems, it is indeed infrequent that emotional problems are the primary cause of impotence. That is, the erection problem causes the emotional stress and depression, rather than the other way around.

Thanks to extensive research, the biochemical hallmarks of ED have been uncovered. Fortunately, this has led to the development of several medications which effectively treat impotence. By now, nearly everyone has heard of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) which has been available by prescription since 1998. Millions of prescriptions for Viagra have been written. Viagra works by dilating smooth muscles within the penis, allowing increased blood flow into the penis causing a normal erection.

Viagra is unique among impotence medications because it currently is the only widely used oral medication ever proven to be truly effective. In clinical trials Viagra was administered to over 3000 men and millions of men have received Viagra outside of clinical trials. In all 21 original research studies, Viagra was shown to be more effective than placebo in improving penile erections of men with erectile dysfunction of various causes. However, unlike certain other medications, Viagra does not produce erections in and of itself. That is, a man must have visual our physical sexual stimulation in order to develop an erection, even when taking Viagra.

Like all drugs and therapies, Viagra may produce side effects. Fortunately these are a few in number and generally minor, including headaches, light sensitivity and stomach upset. A more significant side effect, however, sometimes occurs in men taking medications in the class of drugs known as nitrates. Nitrates come in perhaps 50 different brand and generic names and are commonly used in the treatment heart disease and hypertension. Again, this makes it imperative to see a doctor familiar with these possible drug interactions in order to avoid preventable side effects.

... 50 percent of men who come into the Urology Center will respond to Viagra.

How well does Viagra work? Studies have demonstrated that men who "never or almost never" had successful intercourse prior to using Viagra, were able to have intercourse "most times or almost always" in about half of the cases. The medication worked even better in men who had a lesser degree of erectile dysfunction before treatment. Approximately 50 percent of men who come into the Urology Center will respond to Viagra. however, many men have already tried Viagra before coming for a urology evaluation. In many of these cases we find that patients have not been adequately instructed in the proper methods of taking Viagra. When these matters are corrected, many men find that Viagra is successful. For these men, Viagra is all that is needed. However, for the other 50 percent, there are a number of safe and effective alternative treatments which will work. For those patients committed to solving the problem of erectile dysfunction, there is practically always and effective treatment which allows a return of penile function permitting gratifying intercourse and a return of intimacy.

Obviously this new "miracle drug", Viagra, does not work for everyone; yet impotence is reversible in practically all cases, even when Viagra does not work. Other popular treatments include skin patches, MUSE penile urethral suppositories, vacuum erection device is, injectable medications and penile prostheses. In fact, improvements in penile prostheses have made this treatment the most satisfying of any treatment, with patient satisfaction rates greater than 90 percent.

Impotence cannot be approached with a "one size that's all" treatment. A urologist is unquestionably the most qualified medical specialists for the management of erectile dysfunction. Urologists, such as those at the Urology Center make reversal of impotence a primary focus. We have the patience, skill and most importantly the experience necessary to effectively get rid of this disconcerting problem. Indeed, impotence really is reversible!

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(You may also visit the "Make-the-Call" ED Help Line, Sexual Function Health Council of AFUD , Peyronies Disease)

If you would like additional information you may find Dr. Watson's book, Impotence -- Its Reversible, in most Louisiana public libraries. If your library does not have enough copies of this publication, contact us.