Male Impotence: What's the Problem?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common among men. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction increases with age, from 5% among men aged 20 to 75% among men over 65. Erectile dysfunction in men is usually caused by reduced blood flow to the penis or damage to the nerves responsible for the mechanism of erection. In 1998, Viagra, which contains sildenafil, was successfully used to treat ED in men. (Sildenafil This was followed in 2003 by medications containing tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra), which work essentially the same way. However, there are men with ED who do not respond to treatment with either of these medications. Why does treatment fail? There are a number of reasons why a man may not achieve the desired effect after taking an ED medication. Sometimes a man may experience side effects from these medications, such as headaches, nasal congestion, or facial flushing, and these side effects may outweigh the benefits of taking the medication. Another reason for failure is the absence of sexual or genital stimulation before attempting sexual intercourse. These medications facilitate an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis, but they do not act as an aphrodisiac or as a trigger for an erection. A person who lacks the necessary stimulation or is not „in the mood“ will not respond with an erection. Another reason the medication may not have worked is the consumption of fatty foods before or while taking the medication. The fat in such foods can reduce the absorption of the medication. It is also possible that a person may suffer from anxiety after a prolonged period of abstinence, fear of the drug’s side effects, or doubts and guilt associated with taking medication, and this fear may manifest as an inability to achieve and maintain an erection. For the medication to work properly, it must be taken correctly. It is necessary to take it 30–45 minutes before sexual intercourse, on an empty stomach or at least not in combination with a heavy meal; sexual stimulation is required before intercourse begins. Before concluding that the medication isn’t working, a man should take it at least four times. For example, if someone hasn’t had sex for a long time or has eaten a heavy meal, the medication may not work. Usually, treatment begins with a lower dose of the medication (half a tablet), and the dose is gradually increased. Some men take a small amount of the medication every day. This increases blood flow to the penis, leading to a better erection. The good news is that all men who want to have a quality erection can achieve it with one of the medications currently available. Drinking a small amount of alcohol—one to two glasses—should not affect the medication’s effectiveness. However, larger amounts may cause the ED medication to fail. Regardless of the cause of ED, it is likely to trigger feelings of stress and other emotional reactions. It is also not uncommon for ED problems to cause tension in a relationship, especially if the partner is unwilling to discuss the issue.