What is Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction)?

Introduction

Coitus is the process of physical union of male and female genitalia accompanied by rhythmic movements. It is also referred to as the sexual intercourse. Coitus is part of the sexual life of a human being and essential for begetting a child. The process of coitus mandates that the male sex organ, penis undergoes a phase of erection. This phase of penile erection makes the penis hard and long and enables it to penetrate the female genital organ to deliver the sperms for fertilization.

Thus, penile erection is a normal natural event that occurs in a male as part of his reproductive life. The length of an erect penis of a healthy individual is normally between 4.5 to 7 inches. There are occasions and conditions where an individual is not able to have a penile erection. This inability to have an erect penis for coitus is termed as impotence.

Thus, impotence can be scientifically referred to as erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be defined as an individual’s inability to have an erection of the penis for normal sexual functions. Physically, an erection results in a hardened and elongated penis. Physiologically, an erection occurs in response to a neurological stimulus that results in blood flow into specialized sponge like structures in the penis.

Causes

There are numerous factors that cause erectile dysfunction. These factors can be classified as Physical, Physiological and Psychological causes. Physical causes include physical injury to the penis or underlying structures and chronic inflammation of the underlying tissues due to infections. Physiological causes include circulatory defects, alteration of the voltage controlled potassium channel, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, neurological complications, hormonal deficiencies and side effects of certain prescription drugs.

Psychological causes play a significant role in impotence because of the fact that sexual behaviour is essentially an instinctive behaviour. Instinctive behaviour is essentially a neurological pattern brought about by the close interactions of the nervous system of the male and female. Thus, any sexual arousal in a male needs a strong stimulation form the female. The female organs of breast, vagina, buttocks, hip, arm pits, neck and lips are capable of producing a strong sexual stimulation and subsequent arousal. Thus, any disruption or absence of a strong stimulation can cause impotence.

Impotence can also occur in the absence of a favourable sexual environment that demands privacy, happiness and normal health. Erection is often disturbed by factors that enhance neurological inhibitions. Psychological causes also include depression, anxiety and sexual trauma that deter this neurological process.

Treatment

PDE5 inhibitor drugs like Viagra form the first line treatment options for impotence. Prostaglandins tablet insertions in the urethra and penile injections are the next options. Recently, penile prosthesis has gained popularity. A penile prosthesis is a medical device implanted in the penis by surgery.

Penis pump, a cylinder device fitted over the penis to create a partial vacuum around the penis to draw blood into the penis has been successful. Vascular reconstructive surgery is another surgical option. It is important to distinguish penile erection and penile enlargement, which is purely a male enhancement procedure.