Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection to meet his sexual needs or the needs of his partner, as the UrologyChannel explains. While most men experience this by the age of 40 without any psychological damage, approximately 15 to 30 million men in the United States experience long-term impotence, which can cause emotional problems in their relationships.
Diabetes
A number of physical conditions are contributing factors for those who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Healthcommunities.com states that approximately 60 percent of men with diabetes experience impotence. This is because long-term levels of high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. This impairs the necessary blood flow for an erection to take place.
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is a condition resulting in a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. When this occurs, it is more difficult for blood to travel throughout the body, resulting in conditions such as impotence. Healthcommunities.com explains it accounts for 50 to 60 percent of impotency cases in men over the age of 60.
Medications
Both Healthcommunities.com and the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse agree that common medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can lead to erectile dysfunction. More than 200 commonly prescribed drugs such as antidepressants, sedatives, heart medications and tranquilizers fall under this category. Long-term use of alcohol can lead to this problem as well.
Psychological Problems
An inability to perform in bed can devastate a man's self-esteem, especially since his sexual performance is often a large part of his self-esteem, according to Healthcommunities.com. It can cause him to feel inadequate, as he becomes more uncertain of himself and begins avoiding intimate encounters with his partner.
Erectile dysfunction doesn't just affect a man's private life, it can invade every aspect of his life, including his job performance. Once this condition invades his psychological well-being, almost no area of his life is off limits. It is for this reason that he needs to feel comfortable discussing his problem with his partner and his doctor, both of which will allow him to devise an effective treatment plan.
