Impotence – Causes and Symptoms

ImpotenceThe very indignity of impotence makes this problem difficult for many men to talk about. Even though impo­tence is not a top topic for conversation, it's not because so few men suffer from this problem. Actually, about 30 million American men struggle with chronic impotence. That means about three out of every eight men have to deal with some form of this problem.

Before you panic over the apparent inability of your penis to perform, check your lifestyle for clues. How's your stress level? Too much stress will sap even the most ardent man's sexual energy. What's your diet like? If you aren't eating a balanced diet or taking a multivitamin, you may be deficient in zinc, which can contribute to the development of impotence in some men.

Had surgery or an accident lately? Surgery of the blad­der, colon, prostate, or rectum may cause impotence if any blood vessels or nerve paths that help engineer an erection get damaged while you're under the knife. If you've had any pelvic or groin injury, such as falling on the crossbar of a bike, it may have damaged the blood flow to your penis, resulting in impotence. Other activities where you may suffer such groin or pelvic injuries include gymnastics, horseback riding, and water sports. Injuries to the spinal cord or brain may also cause impotence.

In addition, alcohol and cigarette addictions, a break­down in communication with your partner, or finding your partner unattractive can all dampen desire. An ill­ness may also temporarily affect your sexual abilities. And once you become anxious about your impotence, it can turn from an occasional occurrence into a chronic complaint.

The good news is almost all cases of impotence can be treated successfully. In fact, according to the Impotence Resource Center, "Impotence is the most untreated, treatable medical disorder in the world." Although this disorder can be treated successfully 95 percent of the time, only 5 percent of people with this problem actually receive treatment. Personal embarrassment and lack of knowledge prevent many men from seeking the medical help they need.

Your first step should be to see a urologist, a doctor who deals with problems of the urogenital tract, to deter­mine if a medical problem is causing your impotence. In 80 percent of the cases of impotence, the root of the prob­lem is a medical disorder, such as vascular disease, dia­betes, or leaking veins. For men over 40, clogged arteries and leaky veins are the most common cause. Diabetes can also interfere with proper blood flow to the penis.

If your doctor can't diagnose a definite medical prob­lem, see a psychologist. A physical problem can actually lead to a psychological disorder. Once your mind sees you fail a couple of times, your fear of failure tends to reinforce your problem.

It's time to see your doctor if you have impotence and:

  1. Excessive thirst
  2. Increased appetite
  3. Frequent urination
  4. Unexplained weight loss
  5. Frequent infections
  6. Fatigue

You may have diabetes. Since you will need insulin to control this disorder, you should sched­ule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

  1. Poor muscle coordination, clumsiness, stiffness
  2. Difficulty speaking
  3. Blurred or double vision
  4. Problems remembering recent events

These symptoms may indicate a disorder of your nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's disease. See your doc­tor immediately.

  1. Lack of energy
  2. Difficulty handling cold or stress
  3. Loss of appetite, nausea
  4. Frequent headaches

Your symptoms suggest an underactive pituitary gland. See your doctor immediately. This disorder can be fatal if not treated promptly.

  1. Feel cold all the time
  2. Decreased sweating
  3. Decreased appetite
  4. Chest pain
  5. Weight gain
  6. Feel sleepy or have trouble sleeping
  7. Feel depressed or have trouble remembering things

These symptoms might indicate that you have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Although hypothyroidism is generally easy to treat with thyroid-replacement hormones, it can cause life-threatening complications in rare cases, so it is important to see your doctor.

Unusual discharge from penis
Blisters or sores on penis, may or may not be itchy or painful
Swollen lymph nodes

If you have any one of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a sexually transmitted disease. See your doctor immediately for treatment.

  1. Tiredness, weakness
  2. Yellow eyes and skin
  3. Loss of appetite, nausea
  4. Palms of hands appear very red

You may have cirrhosis of the liver. See your doc­tor immediately.

  1. Boredom, down mood
  2. Lack of energy
  3. Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  4. Loss of appetite or overeating
  5. No interest in doing things you used to enjoy
  6. Problems concentrating or making decisions
  7. Feeling useless
  8. Feel irritable, restless, withdrawn
  9. Excessive guilt feelings for no real cause
  10. Headaches or chest pains that don't have any physical cause

These symptoms suggest you may be suffering from depression. If self-help methods don't help or you feel suicidal, see a doctor immediately.

  1. Feel nervous, edgy, and worried
  2. Rapid, pounding heartbeat
  3. Tight or squeezing sensation in the chest
  4. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
  5. Overwhelming fears, poor memory and concentra­tion
  6. Blurred vision or eyelid twitching
  7. Regular backaches, headaches, or neck aches

Any combination of these symptoms may mean you are suffering from severe anxiety or panic disorder.

Stress, guilt, alcohol, drugs, or working too hard can cause anxiety and lead to chest pain.

  1. Fatigue
  2. Depression
  3. Irritability

Your symptoms suggest you may be suffering from hypogonadism, sometimes called male menopause, caused by a lack of testosterone. This disorder may be triggered by stress, obesity, alcoholism, surgery, or certain drugs. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to see if you have hypogonadism. If the test shows you do have a deficiency, testos­terone replacement therapy will soon have you feeling like your old self again.

  1. Leg cramps
  2. Chest pain
  3. Headache
  4. Dizziness

You may have atherosclerosis, a condition in which fat builds up on your artery walls and restricts blood flow. More commonly known as "hardening of the arteries," atherosclerosis is a major cause of fatal heart disease and stroke in the U.S.