Signs of impotence and symptoms of erectile dysfunction in men

More than half of men over 50 years of age experience impotence. This disorder is “getting younger” every year: among the stronger sex, it occurs in every second over 40 years of age, almost every third after 30 and every fifth over 20. Men are embarrassed to talk about erectile dysfunction, but almost 95% of cases are easily treatable drug treatment .

Photo 1. Sexual impotence is rapidly making you look younger. Today this problem is familiar not only to older men, but also to young people. Source: Flickr (Tony Davis)

What is impotence

Impotence (erectile dysfunction, sexual impotence) is an erectile dysfunction , which consists of insufficient penis size for sexual intercourse. Impotence also includes a disorder that is characterized by the fading of an erection during sexual intercourse. At the same time, a man experiences attraction to women , that is, his libido does not fade away.

Note! Sexual dysfunction is not an independent pathology. Its appearance is due to changes in the normal functioning of the male body. Therefore, treatment most often requires examination of the entire body.

Differences between weak potency and impotence

Weak potency does not mean complete impotence. With weakening libido, that is, sexual desire and attraction, a man can still lead a normal sex life. He retains the excitability of the genital organs, he is able, albeit with difficulty, to achieve an erection.

Impotence is a serious sexual disorder in which a man cannot achieve an erection even with active stimulation. If weak potency can appear spontaneously, then impotence is a cumulative process, when over 2-4 months the symptoms, causes and consequences of erectile dysfunction add up to the overall picture of the disease.

Types of impotence

There are three main types of erectile dysfunction:

organic - arising as a result of disruption of the functioning of certain organs;
psychological - caused by changes in the psycho-emotional background of a man;
mixed - combines organic and psychological factors.

Organic impotence

Sexual impotence, which is provoked by changes in the functioning of internal organs , is called organic. It has a number of characteristic features:

gradual development of symptoms;
slow progression;
manifestation during every sexual intercourse;
loss of erection during sex.

One of the main differences between organic sexual dysfunction is the absence of morning or night erection , which occurs during REM sleep.

Psychological impotence

According to andrologists, psychological erectile dysfunction is more common, which is manifested by the following symptoms:

sudden occurrence of a violation;
periodic manifestations of impotence;
impotence does not always occur, but situationally;
erection is maintained throughout sexual intercourse;
morning erection does not disappear.

Such a disorder can be provoked by neuroses, taking psychotropic drugs, frequent stress or nervous strain.

Note! Only a doctor can accurately determine the type of disorder after a comprehensive examination.

Manifestations of weak potency depending on the age of the man

Deterioration of sexual power can manifest itself at any age, depending on certain factors. Experts distinguish 4 age groups, which differ in the most pronounced symptoms of weakened potency.

20 years

At risk are young and inexperienced men who are just beginning to have an active sex life. At this age, emotional experiences often arise before the first sexual intercourse or with a more experienced partner. A man worries whether he can satisfy a woman, whether she will appreciate him as a representative of the stronger sex.

As a result, psychological pressure (often completely far-fetched) causes the main symptoms of weakened potency: it is difficult for a man to become aroused and achieve a stable erection.

30 years

At the beginning of their thirties, men are susceptible to diseases of the genitourinary system due to stress at work, fatigue, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. And because of this, a malfunction of the circulatory system occurs, an imbalance of testosterone.

The main symptoms of deterioration in potency at this age:

sluggish erection;
rapid ejaculation;
almost imperceptible orgasm.

40 years

A man’s body gradually ages and becomes more vulnerable to diseases. At this age, potency is negatively affected by:

inflammation and infection due to lack of immunity;
obesity due to poor nutrition;
deterioration of internal organs due to smoking and alcohol.

The main symptoms of weakened potency:

weak sexual excitability;
fast erection;
depression and apathy.

50 years

Representatives of the stronger sex naturally decrease testosterone production and often experience problems with the cardiovascular system. The frequency of sexual intercourse is reduced to 1-2 every 2 weeks.

The main symptoms of weak potency in a 50-year-old man:

lack of orgasm;
quickly passing sexual arousal;
erection is achieved only after increased stimulation.

Causes of impotence

The etiology of erectile dysfunction is quite extensive. Some factors can act indirectly, causing impotence. Doctors identify several groups of main reasons for its appearance.

Psychological reasons

Formed as a result of psycho-emotional overstrain and stress . These may be neuroses, frequent stress at work, increased excitability. Up to a certain point, such disorders may not manifest themselves in any way, but over time, the man loses the sensitivity of the receptors of the sphincters of the cavernous sinuses of the penis.

Photo 2. The accelerating pace of life is one of the reasons for the increase in the number of sexual disorders. Source: Flickr (MH Ting)

Neurogenic causes

Disorders of the nervous system or brain can lead to sexual impotence. These reasons include the following:

disturbances of blood flow in the brain;
brain tumors;
multiple sclerosis;
Parkinson's disease;
head injuries;
paralysis;
vertebral hernia;
pathologies of the spinal cord trunk and roots.

All these signs lead to disruption of the sphincters of the cavernous bodies, which causes erectile dysfunction.

Iatrogenic causes

Iatrogenic disorders are those caused by taking medications . Typically, this situation occurs when the instructions for use of medications are not followed or the dosage is exceeded. The following groups of medications can inhibit erectile function:

estrogens;
drugs with pronounced anticholinergic effects;
neuroleptics;
tranquilizers;
some groups of antidepressants with serotonergic effect..

Vascular causes

When blood flow in the pelvic organs is disrupted, tissues begin to experience oxygen starvation. As a result, the quality of sperm deteriorates and the efficiency of the prostate decreases. The most common vascular pathologies that cause impotence include the following diseases:

atherosclerosis;
stenosis;
congenital vascular pathologies;
ischemic heart pathology.

Hormonal reasons

Disruptions of the endocrine system directly affect the activity of the gonads. This can cause a weakening or complete loss of erection. Changes in hormonal levels that can provoke sexual impotence include:

testicular pathologies;
disorders of the thyroid gland;
adrenal gland diseases;
pathology of the pituitary gland.

Men with hormonal imbalances experience low testosterone levels, increased estrogen levels in the blood, and hyperprolactinemia.

Wrong lifestyle

Often the cause of impotence is a man's unhealthy lifestyle. Taken together, these factors gradually lead to a weakening of erection and can provoke complete impotence:

abuse of products containing ethylene;
smoking;
low physical activity;
poor nutrition - deficiency of microelements and vitamins against the background of excess glucose and cholesterol;
addiction;
diabetes.

When the chances of impotence increase

Erectile dysfunction can occur in young men, under 30 years of age, and can occur after 50.

To maintain the health of the reproductive organs, the modern man is advised to have regular sex life at all age stages after puberty. A high-quality sex life is an excellent prevention of sexual impotence .

Note! The likelihood of developing impotence increases starting at age 30. The reason for this is the constant impact of negative factors, stress, and poor lifestyle.

AndrologistMed recommends: consultation with a psychologist

A man needs the help of a psychologist, regardless of the causes of impotence. Violations in the sexual sphere, one way or another, negatively affect both mental health and relationships with loved ones and the environment.

Several sessions will help:

Establish contact with yourself and learn to listen to the needs of the body.
Work with stress and build a sleep and rest schedule.
Solve problems in relationships, work through psychological trauma.
Restore self-esteem and separate potency from other areas of life.

If the original cause of erectile dysfunction was in the head, individual and couples therapy will be enough to return to a full sexual life.

Characteristic signs of impotence

Sexual impotence has a number of signs by which the onset of the disease can be determined:

decreased erectile ability;
incomplete erection - the penis can increase its size, but does not reach the required density;
weakening of erection during sexual intercourse;
premature ejaculation;
weakening of sexual desire.

Note! If these signs appear systematically, it is recommended to consult an andrologist for consultation. In the initial stages, impotence responds well to treatment.

Reviews

Reviews about the causes and treatment of impotence are of a different nature. Since much depends on age, provoking factors that influenced the formation of this problem. With the right approach, negative symptoms can be completely eliminated.

After turning 40, I started having problems with potency. I immediately went to the doctor, received treatment on time and everything was fine. Now I’m trying to lead a healthy lifestyle and completely eliminate bad habits.

Maxim, Taganrog

Yes, as I got older I started to notice it. That he is no longer particularly attracted to women and decided to take care of his own health. I started playing sports, eliminated harmful foods, and my moral and physical condition really improved significantly.

Sergey Ivanovich, Krasny Luch

Diagnostic methods

Diagnostics are necessary to identify the exact causes of impotence and prescribe the correct treatment. Erectile dysfunction is diagnosed in the following ways:

Ultrasound . Doppler examination of the vessels of the penis allows you to assess the condition of the vessels of the genital organs and identify blood flow disorders. carried out by administering drugs to stimulate erection, after which the activity of blood vessels is checked. A control study involves studying the same vessels, but at rest.
Cavernosography . An X-ray examination, during which radiopaque agents are injected into the penis, after which a photograph of the penis is taken in several projections.
Innervation testing is carried out by checking the reflex contraction of the sphincter when squeezing the head of the penis.
Study of nocturnal erections. It involves using special sensors that are attached to the penis and measure the frequency of erections during sleep.
Biothesiometry of the penis. This technique involves vibrating the penis and testing its sensitivity to this kind of influence.
Blood chemistry. The level of sex hormones is assessed.
Complete blood count and blood sugar test. Necessary to exclude chronic diseases and diabetes mellitus, which can affect erection.

Important! The selection of research methods is carried out by the doctor after examining the patient and making a primary diagnosis.

Specifics of the disease

The older a man gets, the more relevant the topic of impotence becomes for him.

With age, it is impossible to avoid a decrease in sexual functions; nature takes its toll. There is no remedy that can instantly return your former passion and enthusiasm. Sexual impotence has its own specifics, but the disease cannot be neglected.

First of all, you need to remember what powers a normal healthy lifestyle has. It is very difficult to start leading it; ordinary human laziness comes into play. But in addition to laziness and reluctance, a variety of diseases come into play, and impotence is no exception.

Recommended lifestyle for treating sexual impotence

✿ You need rest and sleep from 9 to 10 hours a day.

✿ Be sure to visit the steam baths.

✿ Sunbathe before 11 am.

✿ It is recommended to arrange small fasting days.

✿ Stop drinking alcohol.

✿ Eat salads made from raw vegetables twice a day and be sure to eat carrots, turnips, and beets.

Treatment of impotence

Treatment can be carried out in several ways, depending on the stage of the disorder and the general condition of the patient . First of all, the influence of provoking factors is excluded, after which, with the help of therapy, normal erectile function is restored.

Drug therapy

Includes several groups of drugs:

Fast-acting medications. These drugs include Viagra and drugs based on sildenafil or tadalafil. They have an immediate effect, which leads to the restoration of an erection.
Drugs to eliminate the causes of the phenomenon . This includes general strengthening complexes, vitamins, hormonal agents - the selection of medications is carried out based on the main causes of sexual impotence.

Drug treatment can be used in the form of tablets, topical ointments and gels, rectal suppositories and injections into the tissue of the penis.

The use of vacuum treatment, physical therapy and massage are also prescribed by the doctor after determining the exact causes. Most often, these techniques are used for poor circulation in the genital area.

Note! Independent use of vacuum pumps can lead to the destruction of blood vessels and the formation of hematomas.

Surgical intervention

If the effectiveness of conservative treatment methods is low, surgical treatment is performed. Its essence lies in penile prosthetics, which allows you to permanently abandon any medications aimed at enhancing an erection. Such treatment has a high cost, and there is always a risk of complications and side effects.

Surgical treatment can also be aimed at restoring blood supply to the penis area. To do this, the lumen of the arteries is expanded to increase blood flow, or, conversely, the veins are narrowed to reduce the intensity of blood outflow . This operation gives a long-term effect.

ethnoscience

In folk medicine, tonic substances are used, the action of which is aimed at restoring normal blood flow in the penis area. To treat impotence, traditional medicine uses the following plants:

Ginseng . Pour 50 g of root into 200 ml of sweet boiled water and let it brew for 3 hours. Then pour in 500 ml of water and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Strain the finished infusion and take 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day for 1.5 months.
Ginger . Brew a teaspoon of powdered ginger root with a glass of boiling water. To improve the taste, add a teaspoon of honey. You should take this drink instead of regular tea.
Celery . Pour a tablespoon of crushed roots into 300 ml of cool boiled water and let it brew for 4 hours. You need to drink this infusion ½ glass 3 times a day.

Symptoms of psychogenic erectile dysfunction

This form of sexual dysfunction is more often identified in adolescents and young men under the age of 35 (read more here). Signs of the psychogenic type of impotence develop and are aggravated against a background of stress. Provoking factors are short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) stressors.

Leading symptoms of psychogenic impotence:

Sudden onset of the disease - a man discovers a problem with potency directly during an intimate meeting;
Absence of precursors - before the fiasco episode, the man had no complaints about decreased sexual strength.

With the psychogenic variant of impotence, the absence or insufficiency of erection is permanent or situational in nature . In the first case, an erection does not occur under any circumstances, regardless of the identity of the sexual partner. In the second case, a man experiences difficulties when communicating with a specific woman, but he has no problems when communicating with another.

A distinctive feature of psychogenic impotence is the spontaneous occurrence of an erection at night. Sexual arousal is accompanied by vivid dreams on an erotic theme. A characteristic feature of the psychogenic type of ED is the temporary reversible nature of the disorder. The erection is restored in full after the cause of the failure is eliminated and the provoking factors are eliminated.

Psychotherapist Grigory Ovtsov will talk about the psychological side of impotence

A typical manifestation of psychogenic impotence is a change in the psychological state of a man, behavioral disorders, emotional disturbances . The patient develops a neurasthenic status. A man overreacts to external stimuli. Those around him notice his irritability, nervousness, and fussiness in his actions. He looks excited and worried, feels embarrassed and shy from the resulting sexual weakness.

The patient avoids sexual contact with his partner by all available means. A man stays late at work, citing workload, complaining of fatigue and malaise. To prevent failure, the patient never initiates an intimate meeting and ignores hints and overt offers of sex. Against this background, men often have conflicts with their life partner.

The resulting feeling of anxiety and self-doubt negatively affects all aspects of a man’s life. Professional activity suffers, conflicts arise in the workforce. Due to thoughts about his inferiority, the patient cannot concentrate on the task at hand. Difficulties arise with preserving and reproducing material from memory. The ability to build associative connections decreases.

Typical symptoms of psychogenic impotence are problems with sleep. A man suffers from insomnia or, conversely, experiences an increased need for rest. It indicates rising too early in the morning and overwhelming drowsiness during the day. The patient’s eating behavior changes: he loses his appetite or, conversely, he develops “ravenous hunger.”

Erectile dysfunction causes decreased mood and leads to depressive disorders. Inappropriately low self-esteem and inferiority complexes are formed. The patient refuses friendly communication and prefers to remain alone with his problems. A person is overwhelmed by obsessive thoughts about his own worthlessness and insolvency. Hypochondriacal ideas are often observed: a man believes that his problem is too serious and nothing can help him. Thoughts about the meaninglessness of life appear, which often leads to suicide attempts.

Prevention of impotence

Compliance with preventive measures will help reduce the likelihood of developing sexual impotence and prevent diseases of the male reproductive system.

Photo 3. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing all diseases, including impotence. Source: Flickr (gokhan duman).

Diet and proper nutrition

A diet for prostatitis involves avoiding foods high in trans fats and glucose . Men are advised to limit their consumption of fast food, fatty foods and sugary water.

To enhance erection, it is recommended to enrich your diet with the following products:

fresh fruits and vegetables;
greenery;
dairy products;
nuts;
seafood;
lean meat.

Weight control

Obesity is one of the reasons for the development of atherosclerosis , which affects potency. Therefore, if you have a tendency to gain excess weight, you should review your diet and increase physical activity.

Rejection of bad habits

Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking negatively affect capillary circulation , which leads to tissue hypoxia. As a result, this stimulates the development of various pathologies that can affect potency.

Normal sleep pattern

Maintaining a sleep schedule can reduce stress levels, improve overall well-being and improve performance . Therefore, to prevent pathologies of the male reproductive system, it is recommended to monitor compliance with the daily routine.

Regular physical activity

Exercising stimulates the release of endorphins, which are “hormones of happiness.” Also, during physical activity, blood circulation increases, vascular tone increases and metabolism improves , which prevents the development of impotence.

Impotence at 25 years old

The occurrence of impotence at the age of 25 has quite extensive statistics, since every second man has problems with erection in a given period of time.

Main reasons:

Having an unsuccessful sexual experience, since the resulting psychological trauma can become a barrier to a man’s further normal sexual life;
Genetic predisposition (for example, if the father previously had a decrease in libido, then his son may have the same problems at a young age);
Abnormal development of sex education in adolescence;
Conscious refusal of sexual intercourse with frequent masturbation or other sexual deviations;
The presence of complexes, self-doubt, fear of disgrace in front of a girl, which developed during the first unsuccessful sexual experience;
Inappropriate reaction of the sexual partner (ridicule, bullying);
Diseases, infections of the genitourinary system.

Making an accurate diagnosis requires visiting qualified specialists (sexologist, psychologist, andrologist, urologist).

In order to eliminate the development of impotence at the age of 25, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow the simple recommendations given below:

Elimination of bad habits (alcohol, cigarettes);
Maximum exposure to fresh air;
Changes in diet (predominance of protein foods, nuts in the diet, exclusion of carbohydrate foods);
Regulation of sexual contacts, having a permanent sexual partner, since promiscuity can also lead to impotence;
Treatment of psychogenic impotence is carried out by visiting a qualified psychologist who will relieve all fears, anxieties and contribute to the normalization of sexual relations between a man and a woman.

Following the above recommendations will resolve the problem in a short time. If the cause of impotence is primary diseases, then it is necessary to prescribe the correct treatment regimen.