Knows about Impotence

And blood vessels in the penis are called corpora cavernosa. With an erection the blood vessels that carry blood to be withdrawn, temporarily pushed closed. The swelling streams so full of blood during an erection and are wider. This makes the penis stiff.

With erectile dysfunction the penis can not (enough) to become or remain rigid.

Figure: In the few colored complex is the swelling

Possible Causes

There are several reasons for this for erectile dysfunction. These can be physical or psychological. Common causes are:

    (Higher) age: the age the erectile power off
    unhealthy lifestyles
    psychological problems such as (failure), anxiety or stress
    diseases such as diabetes (diabetes mellitus), heart disease or stroke
    smoking, excessive alcohol and drugs
    certain medications, especially medications for heart and blood vessels, some antihypertensive agents (especially beta blockers) and psychotropics (particularly antidepressants). The resources that give the male hormone testosterone decrease erectile dysfunction.

When is there?

There is an erectile dysfunction when the (regular) fails to get an erection or maintain sufficient sexual activity. It is estimated that about 1 in 7 men (over 18 years) these complaints. It occurs at all ages, but especially in the elderly. Precise figures are not known, because for many men is an issue that they do not like to talk about. This is unfortunate because there are many solutions to the problem can be found.

The cause may be psychological or physical. In many cases there is no physical complaints. When the morning or there is a (good) morning erection, the cause is usually physical.

What is there to do?

The doctor can determine the cause of erectile dysfunction. Changes in lifestyle can help, such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, tackling the causes of fatigue. Also discussing the expectations surrounding sexuality makes sense. It is wise to partner in this betrekken.Wanneer not enough help, a referral to a sexologist be considered.

The doctor may also advice in addition to his prescription medications.

In the Netherlands the following medications prescribed:

    sildenafil (Viagra ®)
    tadalafil (Cialis ®)
    vardenafil (Levitra ®)

When drugs are not sufficiently successful, the possibility of injections are discussed. With a tiny needle, a fluid in the shaft of the penis painted. For this operation is very good instructions are needed. It is the best result to be expected. Moreover, the least risk of complications. The most common means here is phentolamine (Androskat ®).
If the medication is no or insufficient effect, a vacuum pump is another option. The vacuum pump is a tool that allows blood into the erectile tissue is drawn so that an erection. With an appropriate elastic is this maintained. The use requires proper instruction.