What is impotence? Or what is erectile dysfunction?
"Medically, the term 'impotence' refers to reduced or complete loss of erection of the penis leading to inability to copulate."
"Impotence could also be defined as difficulty or, ultimately, failure that one might face while trying to achieve adequate levels of erection during arousal."
How frequent is impotence?
By the age of 45, most men suffer have from ED. The disease is more frequent in elderly people over the age of 45. The disease affects over 30 million people in U.S alone and is often under diagnosed because of the victim’s reluctance to discuss ED. Statistical research reveals that about 35% of the men between 40-50 years of age suffer from mild to moderate impotence.
Anatomic structures involved in impotence:
Neuronal stimulation and 'sex areas' in brain cause release of NO from penile tissue vascular endothelial cells. Subsequent action of NO on sGC, soluble guanylate cyclase leads to cGMP formation and cGMP mediated smooth muscle relaxation of penile vasculature to engorge the penile corpus cavernosa with blood. Engorgement leads to erection of the penis for a potentially pleasurable sexual intercourse. Damage to corpus cavernosa or penile vasculature and nerve plexus of penis would lead to impotence. Inadequate neuronal stimulation from CNS would also cause impotence.
Pharmaceutical and nutritional remedies:
PDE5 inhibitors that cause increase in cGMP level such as the popular bluepill or Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are becoming a reliable method to cure ED. Adaptation to clean and healthy lifestyle such as of reduction in smoking, drinking, drug abuse and fat-meals could increase erection significantly. Low-sugar diet and zinc containing fruits could help enhance libido.
Herbal remedies:
Control, stamina and intensity of men’s libido is seen to be most responsive to certain herbs and plants. Ginkgo, Avena Sativa, Saw Palmetto and Damiana are some of them. Such medication spares impotence-victims of the side effects that allopathic medications do not.
