Different Types of Impotency

View PDF | Print View
by: SyefanVijjan
Total views: 4
Word Count: 1164
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 Time: 3:02 PM
0 comments

There are several different types of impotence:

Arteriogenic: This form of erectile dysfunction is caused by a problem within the arteries that carry blood to the penis being unable to supply enough blood to cause an erection. There are some patients who are susceptible to narrowing of the arteries, including the elderly, diabetics and people with high blood pressure, although some patients suffering from an injury to the genital area may also suffer from blocked arteries leading to the penis. The last is very common in the young. The injury can be major and sudden as after a vehicular accident causing a fracture of the pelvis or pubic bones, or low grade and gradual, as in bicycle and other riders, and occurs because sustained friction in that region causes a clot-like substance (thrombus) to develop in the artery to the penis. The clot can continue to grow until it completely blocks blood flow going to and from the penis.

Research has shown that erectile dysfunction can act somewhat like a warning for other cardiovascular problems that may develop in future, such as heart attack or stroke. When disease within smaller arteries like the penis is discovered before they affect the larger arteries such as the heart or brain, treatment can be administered more easily. This makes a very strong case for the early diagnosis and management of ED, and this, in turn, will allow the early detection of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high lipids, etc..

In a case study, College student S.V.S., 23, became totally impotent following a vehicular accident in which he sustained a fracture of the pelvis and a rupture of the urethra. The patient was hospitalized for almost a month after a surgical operation. The patient reported that his sex life with his fiance was completely normal prior to the accident. When the patient returned to speak to the doctors who treated the original injurty, he was informed that the problem was likely psychological and that it would be all right in a few months on its own. 12 months later and the patient noticed no improvement at all, forcing him to consider breaking his engagement. An article in a magazine brought him to an andrologist. A phalloarteriogram study showed that the main artery to the penis was blocked. The patient was given a microsurgery operation to complete a penile revascularization procedure and was completely cured.

Many men suffer from impotence caused by arteriogenic injuries, but it remains untreated simply because doctors are often unaware of the causative conditions surrounding it. Many such patients are to be found in orthopedic and urology wards. The impotence is often discovered much later, after the more obvious wounds and fractures have healed. In these cases, it's the patient who learns of the impotence issues, not the doctor.

Venogenic: Where the veins of the penis leak blood and prevent the development of a rigid erection. In an unaffected male with an erection the veins will shut off blood flow almost totally so that no blood can escape back out of the penis. When everything is working normally, blood accumulates within the penis, which raises pressure that makes the penis hard.

Venogenic erectile dysfunction is very common. It's thought that between 30-70% of impotence problems stem from this condition. Some men have venogenic impotence from birth (primary). Such men have never had a rigid erection all their lives. Others develop venogenic impotence suddenly after years of normal sexuality (secondary).

Neurogenic: The nerve supply to the penis is very complex. In order to maintain an erection, the correct conduction of nervous impulses is required along those nerves. The blood flow within the veins and arteries surrounding the penis is triggered by correct function of those nerves.

The nerve supply to the penis can be affected by a large number of things. Impotence can be caused by injuries to the back and particularly injuries to the spinal column.

Injury to other nerves that supply the penis can also affect erection quality, including pelvic or perineal trauma. There are a wide range of operations that can cause impotence by causing injury to surrounding nerves of the penis. These include operations on the rectum, prostate, urethra, spine, retroperitoneum, urinary bladder etc.

Of course, disorders of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, myelitis, tumour etc. are wont to cause impotence if they involve the nerve supply to the penis.

Another disease affecting the nerves to the penis is diabetes mellitus. Impotence is extremely common among diabetics. It's believed that up to 50% of diabetics suffer from impotence. The cause of impotence in diabetics is mostly organic. The usual therapy given to diabetics to treat their diabetes won't restore the damaged erectile function as the actual diabetes can't be reversed. With most diabetics, only their blood sugar levels are treated, along with some other complications. Yet it is very possible to cure almost all cases of diabetes-related impotence with modern andrology treatments. This is another fact that is, unfortunately, not known to most people. There simply aren't many diabetologists that will work on treating erectile dysfunction as part of their treatements.

Some drugs are also capable of damaging the nerve endings, which can cause neurogenic impotence. Notable among these are anti-hypertensives (BP lowering) and psychotropics. However, the list is quite extensive. Often, it is not known that the medicine (which is prescribed for some unrelated disease, such as duodenal ulcer) is the culprit.

Endocrinologic: Impotence can occur in men who have a hormonal imbalance or otherwise insufficient sex hormones flowing through the blood. It accounts for about 5 to 10 per cent of all organic impotence. However, hormonal changes usually affect the libido instead of the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. These hormonal changes may be brought about by a range of diseases.

Mixed: Sometimes, more than one factor can be operative in the same patient. These patients are often diagnosed with systemic disease. Types of systemic disease that can be responsible include diabetes, kidney failure and liver failure.

Another group where mixed factors operate is where long standing impotence has led to secondary psychiatric disorders such as depression etc.. While the underlying cause of the impotence might be organic, if it's been untreated or undiagnosed it can take a toll on the patient's mind, in most cases because the patient has been told the problem is all within his mind.

Psychogenic: When there is no organic factor and the problem lies purely in the mind, it is labeled a case of psychogenic impotence. However before such a label is given to a patient, it is absolutely necessary to have an andrologist investigate into any possible organic or bodily causes.

When this has been done, correct treatment can be applied to address the problem.

About the Author

I write on a variety of topics related to mens health. Please take a look at them by visiting Viagra without prescription and Generic Viagra Reviews.