Impotence is the inability to develop or maintain an erection that is sufficient to complete sexual intercourse. According to the National Institutes of Health, impotence affects from 15 to 30 million men. The impact of impotence increases with age, and between 15 and 25 percent of men over the age of 65 have erectile dysfunction (ED). In 85 percent of cases, ED has a physical cause such as an underlying disease or medication use. In the remaining 15 percent of cases, the cause is psychological. No matter what the cause, impotence has many negative effects in men.
Diminished Health
Some medications are known to interfere with sexual function. Common causes of medication-related ED include antihypertensive medications (drugs for blood pressure) and psychoactive medications (drugs for mental health conditions). Men who experience ED may decide to stop taking medications that are important to their health because they are too embarrassed to discuss the problem with their physician. However, it can be dangerous to stop taking prescription medications. It is important to discuss ED with a physician so that medication changes can be supervised in a way that eliminates ED without risking your health.
Fear of Rejection
Men with impotence may find that their sexual relationships require a bit more patience and understanding from their partner. This is particularly worrisome for younger men, who believe that their partners might not be willing to wait for intimacy. This can lead to a fear of rejection that can color the intimate relationships of men with ED. Couples therapy is a good place to find relief from these feelings.
Depression
Sexual identity is an important part of a man's psyche. A loss of potency may represent a diminished sense of "manhood" in men with ED. This can impact the self-esteem in a negative way, leading to feelings of grief and loss. As the problem persists, it can lead to depression. It is important for men with ED to be honest about identifying their feelings that lead to depression and to seek help when appropriate.
Evidence for Underlying Illness
The development of impotence can provide life-saving evidence for underlying illness in some men. Similar to a canary in a coal mine, ED can be an early symptom of deadly diseases such as blood vessel blockage and diabetes. A trip to the doctor for ED will prompt a check-up for these illnesses that cause impotence. Getting in for treatment of ED may prevent a more serious complication of blood vessel blockage, such as a heart attack.
Relationship Intervention
Sometimes impotence is caused by relational issues or substance abuse. A man who is in denial of psychological problems might be willing to seek counseling for sexual health. This counseling may be the intervention that the man needs to admit problems within his relationships and to seek help. It may also uncover addictions that contribute to his problem. In this case, the help that the man with ED seeks to prevent impotence may improve other deeper problems that also require mental health counseling.
