Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 137) men IMPOTENCE Sexual health and virility are important to most men. But even “macho” types experience sexual problems. Here’s how to address this very personal issue. By James Michael Brodie always there for you… For more expert advice on this topic, make sure to visit familydoctor.org Impotence: Taking on the old taboo I mpotence. It’s an age-old term for a sexual problem men still encounter today — the problem of not being able to attain or maintain an erection until ejaculation. Also called erectile Defining the problem Rare as it is, primary impotence means that a man has never had an erection sufficient for intercourse. Secondary impotence, a more common loss of erectile ability after normal function, usually proceeds gradually unless caused by injury or sudden illness. People once believed that impotence was usually caused by psychological problems. But we now know that factors such as stress, depression and fear of sexual failure are at the root of only 10% to 20% of ED. Physical factors — vascular (blood vessel), neurological (nerve) and penile abnormalities — underlie the vast majority of male sexual problems, even though most men react psychologically too. It’s common for men who have ED to have feelings of anxiety, guilt and low self-esteem. dysfunction (ED), it’s a problem so vexing that many men feel powerless to deal with it. And who can blame them, given a current climate that doesn’t always encourage serious, frank talk. But men experiencing ED shouldn’t feel helpless — or fall silent. They’re not alone. According to estimates, as many as 30 million men in the United States are affected by ED. Yet despite a host of treatments, only 10% of sufferers seek help. If you think you have ED, talk to your family doctor. He or she can advise, treat, and, if necessary, refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in such problems. familydoctor 2007 137 http://www.familydoctor.org
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