Erectile dysfunction and impotence: what’s the difference? It’s just a matter of semantics.
Erectile dysfunction is the official medical term for impotence, which is a sexual dysfunction that affects millions of men worldwide.
As men age, so does their risk for developing ED increases – but alarmingly, more and more men below the age of 40 are contracting ED earlier than usually expected. For context, one in four men below 40 has ED. Impotence is caused by health conditions, using certain medicines that cause ED, and lifestyle and psychological factors.
What is impotence/ED?
Sexual arousal arises from complex, interrelated interactions between various bodily processes such as the circulatory system, hormones, and muscles.
Erections begin with the smooth muscles surrounding the blood vessels in the corpus cavernosum relaxing, allowing blood to flow in and engorge the spongy tissue, which traps blood to cause the penis to become firm.
Nitric oxide is released in the tissues and blood vessels to sustain the erection for sexual activity. Once a person climaxes and ejaculates, blood flows out of the penis, making the erection subside.
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Impotence or ED occurs when this process doesn’t occur as it should. Various factors can cause impotence, such as anxiety, stress, prescription or recreational drug use, or lifestyle factors. Consult your doctor if you’re running into erectile problems as it may indicate a more concerning medical condition such as heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes. Moreover, men with ED are more likely to develop a stroke or a heart attack.
What are the signs of ED?
It’s perfectly normal for most men to encounter erection difficulties every once in a while. But when it starts happening frequently or prevents you from enjoying a satisfying sex life, you should consult your doctor.
The most common symptoms of ED or impotence include:
- An inability to produce an erection at any time of the day
- Difficulty keeping an erection firm or long enough to enjoy pleasurable sex
- Being able to obtain an erection occasionally, but not as often as you want to have sex
ED is also closely related to your mental state. Anxiety and stress about impotence could contribute to disinterest in sex, just as relationship issues and psychological stress do.
What are the causes and risk factors of impotence/ED?
Out of all the risk factors associated with ED, perhaps age is the most recognized. Though the likelihood of developing ED increases as men age, particularly ages 50 and above, the aging process doesn’t necessarily lead to impotence since ED can happen at any age and at any time. Let’s look at other risk factors that can boost your chances of developing impotence.
Medical conditions that may cause ED
Diabetes is one of the most salient risk factors for ED. It was observed that men with diabetes are thrice as likely to develop ED and contract it as soon as 15 years earlier than men without this metabolic disease.
Other ED-causing health conditions include:
- Low T
- Hypertension
- Atherosclerosis (cholesterol and plaque buildup in arteries).
- Cardiovascular disease/high cholesterol
- Chronic renal disease
- Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Injuries to the penis, spine, prostate, or pelvic region
- Past surgeries
Prescription medicines that may cause ED
- Antihypertensive drugs (such as diuretics and beta blockers)
- Prostate cancer therapy drugs
- Antidepressants such as SSRIs
- Sedatives
- Anti-GERD medications
Psychological factors that contribute/lead to ED
- Generalized or sexual performance anxiety/stress
- Depression
- Confidence issues
- Stressors related to life and lifestyle
- Unhealthy diet
- Tobacco consumption
- Alcohol consumption
- Recreational drug use
- Obesity/being overweight
- Lack of physical activity
What treatments are available for impotence or ED?
Consult your doctor if you suspect you might have ED. ED treatments could run the gamut from making lifestyle changes to improve cardiovascular health, consuming a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, losing excess weight, refraining from tobacco or alcohol consumption, and getting psychological treatment.
Erectile dysfunction treatment typically necessitates prescription medicines, dietary supplements, or natural remedies – or a combination of multiple treatment options.
What prescription drugs can I take for ED (impotence)?
The most commonly used first-line treatments for ED are drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, which are the only drugs approved by the FDA for treating impotence. They include:
- Viagra (generic name sildenafil)
- Cialis (generic name tadalafil)
- Levitra (generic name vardenafil)
- Stendra (generic name avanafil)
This class of drugs works by enhancing blood flow to penile tissue, enabling a firmer, longer-lasting erection. PDE5 inhibitors are typically taken up to two hours before having sex. A state of sexual arousal is needed for them to work. PDE5 inhibitor drugs enjoy up to a 70% success rate in treating ED and are generally well-tolerated. However, ED patients taking nitrates for heart conditions should refrain from taking PDE5 inhibitors and consult their doctors about pursuing alternative treatments.
Other treatments for ED patients with low testosterone may include injectable ED drugs like alprostadil, which is injected straight into the penis.
What natural remedies are there for ED?
While many natural remedies are marketed as ED treatments, not all are supported by clinical research. Therefore, you need to do your research and consult your doctor before taking any supplements that position themselves as ED treatments.
Several herbal supplements like Panax ginseng do show some preliminary effects in helping promote better erections, but more research is needed to make a conclusive determination. Moreover, vitamin D or folate deficiency may exacerbate ED. However, more data is needed to support such claims.
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What other devices and surgical procedures can I take for ED?
Devices called penis pumps are an option for some men. As a last resort for severe cases of ED, surgical implants are an option where inflatable or flexible implants are placed within the penis.
Is it possible to cure ED (impotence)?
ED or impotence is treatable in most cases, but most treatments take time. Moreover, ED might indicate underlying and potentially serious medical conditions, so consulting a health professional about any ED symptoms is of paramount importance.
Fortunately, various safe and effective treatments exist for ED, and your healthcare professional can help you determine the most suitable one for you. Be vigilant about taking dietary supplements, do your due diligence if you’re unsure about their ingredients, and talk to your doctor before taking them. And perhaps most importantly, be open with your partner about your sexual issues so you can get the necessary emotional and psychological support.
