Introducing Impotence
Though impotence is a common word used to describe this problem, the scientific term is erectile dysfunction and is often shortened to ED. As the name suggests, this is a health issue whereby an individual either can’t get or keep an erection. The first misconception to address is that it only occurs in older people; since it’s labeled a misconception, you’ve probably guessed that this isn’t accurate. As we grow older, the does indeed grow. Yet, age itself doesn’t cause the problem. Instead, it’s the underlying problems linked with age that cause impotence. For example, this includes trauma and medication. Since older people are more likely to be on medication that can cause impotence as a side effect, this is why the link is so frequently drawn.
ED and Age
To cut a long story short, anybody with a penis can experience and all men will experience it (no matter how temporary) at some point. If you’re thinking back to an occasion where it happened, it could have been a result of alcohol consumption, anxiety, stress, or fatigue. Sometimes, the body is just too tired and would rather rest than anything else. While ED does affect some younger people, it’s more common in those who are past what is normally considered ‘middle-aged.’ As we grow older, the body experiences more of the problems that can lead to ED. As an example, atherosclerosis is a common cause - this is a technical way of saying that the arteries have lots of plaque buildup around them. As a result, blood doesn’t flow as freely, and this poor flow can impact the penis. Unfortunately, people living with atherosclerosis only spot the problem in many cases because they experience ED first. Other reasons why ED is common in people during their golden years is because the following can also cause it: obesity, diabetes, sleep disorders, kidney problems, thyroid issues, nerve damage, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and low testosterone. While we think of ED as a physical problem, it can also come from stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and depression. For this reason, it’s often a negative spiral where the sufferer is so anxious and stressed about performing that it makes the problem worse.
