What Causes Impotence?

An Insight into What Causes Impotence: Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

People who are not able to achieve erection for complete sexual satisfaction might by suffering form ED or erectile dysfunction; otherwise named as impotence. However, either for diagnosing or for treating such dysfunction it is necessary knowing what causes impotence.

Multiple Tests for Multiple Factors

Erectile dysfunction or impotence can result from a multitude of reasons and there are multiple tests for detecting them. Therefore, it is essential that the person suffering from such syndrome visits the doctor at the first instance of occurrence of such symptoms. If not on the first occasion; as many people would tend to ignore it as some temporary incapacitation; on recurrence of the syndrome it is very important paying a visit to the physician.

How the Physician will Go For It

When a patient visits the physician the following steps are likely to be followed in sequence.

The physician will check the medical records of the person concerned to know about the details of his anatomic conditions;
Doctor will also enquire about the specific symptoms that have been experienced by the patient; and
It won’t do any good remaining shy and answers should be given honestly so that it becomes easier for the doctor to diagnose what causes impotence in the person concerned.

What is Impotence?

To know what causes impotence, it is necessary learning what it really is. Impotence has been defined as the inability to either achieve or maintain an erection for performing intercourse or ejaculation.
Two Forms of Impotence

Basically there are 2 forms of impotence.

Primary impotence is one where the man never had sufficient erection for satisfactory intercourse.
Secondary impotence is more common and is loss of erectile function after some times of normal activities.

What Causes Primary Impotence?

Major causes of primary impotence are:

- Extreme psychological conditions;
- Intense fear of intimacy;
- Severe feeling of guilt or anxiety.

What Causes Secondary Impotence?

Men who have secondary impotence are able to engage in intercourse only around 25% of the time. Even such erection comes only gradually. However, this is a common feature among men and can be treated easily in comparison to the primary impotence.
What Causes Impotence in General

Causes of impotence in general are:

- Advanced age may be a factor but impotence can occur at any adult age;
- Over 70% of the impotence occurs due to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, vascular diseases, and endocrine disorders;
- Around 50 to 60% of diabetic patients are impotent;
- Use of high power medications like those for high blood pressure, depression, ulcer, prostate cancer, and other drugs for dieting can have such affects;
- Surgery of spinal cords, bladder, or pelvis can damage the essential nerves, muscles, or tissues leading to impotence;
- Cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol consumption without restriction are elements what causes impotence;
- Hormonal imbalances; and
- Psychological factors.

In the fast moving modern world, it is often anxiety, stress, and exhaustion that render even otherwise healthy men impotent at least temporarily.