Are you at risk of turning impotent?

Impotence often comes without warning and can strike even the most virile stud like a bolt of lightning.

How much of a risk do YOU face?

In this discussion about the risk factors leading to impotence, let's begin by looking at what the indicators of impotence are.

If your erections are not firm enough to allow vaginal penetration, you are impotent. If your erections have the necessary rigidity, but only briefly, you may have an impotence problem. If your erection loses its strength upon penetration, once again, you probably have the problem. If any of these conditions apply to you, it may be time to admit it, and begin to move toward a treatment that can change your life.

Impotence is not by itself a disease, but is a secondary condition brought on by other primary causes. It is a side effect, a symptom of something else. Thirty years ago, when men went to their doctors asking for help for erectile problems, they were told that there was no treatment because it was caused by ageing, or that it was "all in their minds". A generation of research has been conducted in the intervening years. With more knowledge now, doctors divide this very common disorder into four general causes:

About 85% of this problem is due to a physical (organic) cause. Slightly more than 10% is totally psychological, or "all in your mind." The other 5% is unknown. The 85% figure includes a mixture of physical factors with psychological involvement. Once a man fails to erect a few times, he places more stress on himself to erect by sheer will power. When this too fails, he begins to have a psychological problem as well.

The main point here is: more than 4 out of every 5 impotent men are that way because something within the body other than the penis, has let them down.

Psychological Impotence describes the problem when physical causes are not present. Often, pure psychological impotence comes on suddenly rather than over a long period. It can be caused by job stress, a rocky marriage, or financial worries. Any nagging everyday situation which occupies conscious and subconscious thoughts can cause impotence. Also, depression can create it. Concern over poor sexual performance can cause it. It should be noted that almost every man experiences temporary periods of impotence.

Physical Impotence stems from a variety of causes. The consensus among most authorities is that the table below represents an accurate distribution of the causes of physical impotence:

There are almost always psychological aspects to impotence. However, where older men are concerned, if they once had a life of normal potency, organic reasons quickly raise their heads and tend to dominate. Some physicians like to talk about the "risk factor approach" which is defined as weighing arterial factors, venous factors, neurological factors, medication factors and hormonal factors. These point to erectile insufficiency in some way and imply that impotence is almost always a mixed bag.

Other hormones are also important for erectile function. A low level of the thyroid hormone can cause low quality erections. And, the excessive production of prolactin by the pituitary gland can be responsible for the low production of testosterone and this can lead to problems.

Ultimately, you are the person most familiar with your medical history, and you are in the best position to make initial judgements about your situation. By reading this far, you may already suspect the reason for your problem. Mentioning your suspicions to the physician may shortcut your treatment cycle. However, if you do not know why you are impotent, it may be important to find out.

Impotence treatment options are by prescription only. Here's why: as a symptom of an underlying disease, discovering the cause could be important. Some men who had heart attacks or strokes reported the onset of impotence a few months before their attacks. When impotence starts, the body is speaking. Listen, see a doctor, and find out what is going on.