Sexual Impotence
Sex is now regarded
as a basic instinct like hunger. Sexual activity, however, demands
complete concentration and relaxation. It cannot be performed in haste
and tension. Persons who are usually tense and over-occupied are unable
to follow these norms. Many persons, therefore, suffer from sexual
dysfunctions. The most common male sexual dysfunction is impotence or
loss of sexual power.
Symptoms
Impotence takes
three forms. There is primary impotence when the man’s erectile
dysfunction is there from the very beginning of sexual activity and he
simply cannot have an erection. This is a rare manifestation of the
problem. Secondary impotence is the commonest and this implies that the
man can normally obtain an erection but fails on one or more occasions
in between normal activity. The third form is associated with age and
is a continuous and serious form with poor prognosis.
Causes
Since erection is
the result of erotic excitement, intact nervous pathways and adequate
hormonal functioning, the pathological causes of impotence are
numerous. It may occur as a result of psychological illness such as
depression, which lowers sexual drive and erectile function, tiredness,
alcohol abuse, the therapeutic use of estrogens, paralysis of
parasympathetic nerves by drugs or permanent damage to them and
diabetes. Other causes of impotence are abuse or misuse of the sexual
organism over a long period and a devitalized condition of the system
in general.
However, the main
problem of secondary impotence is the apprehension created by failure
which generates a good deal of anxiety for the next time round
regarding the likelihood of failure.
If intercourse is
attempted again and the same failure results, then a vicious circle is
established. Anxiety of failure is established as an anticipatory
reflex which in turn impairs the capacity of the penis.
Treatment
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