While erectile dysfunction may not be fatal, it can sure feel like it - the starter motor just won't get up and running. Virtually all men will experience erectile dysfunction (impotence) at some stage, usually as a temporary reaction to stress, anxiety, fatigue, or alcohol consumption.
Impotence is often easily treated. Treatments include medication, injections, hormone replacement therapy, exercises, relationship counselling, stress reduction, and vacuum therapy, among others.
Symptoms
Self-explanatory.
Causes and risk factors
Medical conditions such as depression and problems with blood flow caused by diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, or blood pressure can cause impotence. It can also be a side effect of medications used to treat these disorders.
Preventive maintenance
Eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly. Maintaining good general health means you're less likely to suffer a condition that causes impotence.
Check-ups
Self-explanatory.
Age of onset
Impotence is more common in older men, often because they're more likely to have illnesses or take medications that cause impotence. A large US study estimated that 52 percent of men would suffer from impotence, ranging from 40 percent at age 40 up to 70 percent at age 70.
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