Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection that
is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
ED is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree.
A man with this problem not only does he feel unfulfilled sexually but it is so maddening to know you want to make love, know you desire your partner, but find yourself unable to control the crucial bit of your body. It's even worse when your partner feels very threatened by your not making love to her and starts accusing you of not loving her or of having an affair. So one of the first steps you have to take to resolve this problem is to be honest with your partner.
It's hard for a man to admit he's experiencing erection problems but the overwhelming majority of women are very understanding - in fact, they are often relieved to discover that's what the problem is.
Sharing this with your partner will also have the effect of relieving some of your anxiety - and that in itself will help since anxiety alone can cause, or certainly contribute to erection problems.
Although most cases of temporary impotence are psychologically based, keeping the body in reasonably good working order helps keep us ticking over well sexually, too.
Drinking too much alcohol lessens sexual responsiveness, both at the time and generally. Three pints of beer or six single measures of spirits or small glasses of wine are as much as a man's body can cope with healthily in a day. Cut down if you're regularly drinking more than that and always have a couple of alcohol-free days a week.
Smoking has been realised to be an important cause of loss of sex drive and impotence in men. Smoking and unhealthy diet can both cause circulation problems which affect the blood supply to the crucial parts. The first thing that many top specialists now recommend to people with such sexual problems, particularly if they are 40 or over, is to stop smoking and follow a healthy, high-fibre, low-fat diet.
Regular exercise can also benefit your sexual well-being.
Sexual problems are often also linked with anxiety. If you have been suffering from a lot of tension or worry it will help you recover your sexual responsiveness if you can learn to relax more out of bed as well as in it.
If you have been suffering from this problem for three months or more then you should see your GP to check whether there is a medical problem.
What kind of treatments are on offer?
Viagra is the best known ED medication. It helps blood flow to the penis and seems to work in about 70 per cent of cases, whether the cause is physical or psychological, though it may not be so effective long-term if difficulties in your relationship are affecting your sex life.
There are worries about side-effects, such as heart attacks, especially if over-used, and it’s obviously not suitable for some men, such as those with serious heart problems.
While Viagra is the best known, there are other drugs such as Levitra and Cialis, which can be more suitable than Viagra for some men. Cialis, for example, has a longer-lasting effect and sales have overtaken those of Viagra now.
But of course, none of these are a miracle drug. A man still needs sexual stimulation and the desire to make love.
You can also talk to your doctor about other options.
ED is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree.
A man with this problem not only does he feel unfulfilled sexually but it is so maddening to know you want to make love, know you desire your partner, but find yourself unable to control the crucial bit of your body. It's even worse when your partner feels very threatened by your not making love to her and starts accusing you of not loving her or of having an affair. So one of the first steps you have to take to resolve this problem is to be honest with your partner.
It's hard for a man to admit he's experiencing erection problems but the overwhelming majority of women are very understanding - in fact, they are often relieved to discover that's what the problem is.
Sharing this with your partner will also have the effect of relieving some of your anxiety - and that in itself will help since anxiety alone can cause, or certainly contribute to erection problems.
Although most cases of temporary impotence are psychologically based, keeping the body in reasonably good working order helps keep us ticking over well sexually, too.
Drinking too much alcohol lessens sexual responsiveness, both at the time and generally. Three pints of beer or six single measures of spirits or small glasses of wine are as much as a man's body can cope with healthily in a day. Cut down if you're regularly drinking more than that and always have a couple of alcohol-free days a week.
Smoking has been realised to be an important cause of loss of sex drive and impotence in men. Smoking and unhealthy diet can both cause circulation problems which affect the blood supply to the crucial parts. The first thing that many top specialists now recommend to people with such sexual problems, particularly if they are 40 or over, is to stop smoking and follow a healthy, high-fibre, low-fat diet.
Regular exercise can also benefit your sexual well-being.
Sexual problems are often also linked with anxiety. If you have been suffering from a lot of tension or worry it will help you recover your sexual responsiveness if you can learn to relax more out of bed as well as in it.
If you have been suffering from this problem for three months or more then you should see your GP to check whether there is a medical problem.
What kind of treatments are on offer?
Viagra is the best known ED medication. It helps blood flow to the penis and seems to work in about 70 per cent of cases, whether the cause is physical or psychological, though it may not be so effective long-term if difficulties in your relationship are affecting your sex life.
There are worries about side-effects, such as heart attacks, especially if over-used, and it’s obviously not suitable for some men, such as those with serious heart problems.
While Viagra is the best known, there are other drugs such as Levitra and Cialis, which can be more suitable than Viagra for some men. Cialis, for example, has a longer-lasting effect and sales have overtaken those of Viagra now.
But of course, none of these are a miracle drug. A man still needs sexual stimulation and the desire to make love.
You can also talk to your doctor about other options.
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