What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence as it is popularly called, is the commonest sexual problem a man can face. It is defined as the inability to achieve or to maintain the erection of the penis sufficient for sexual intercourse. There are either psychological or physical causes for this problem. The sexual desire is psychological but the process of getting and maintaining the erection is physiological involving many physical components.

What are the causes for erectile dysfunction?

Usually the man complaining of erectile dysfunction has the ability to get psychologically aroused. This means the sexual desire is most of the time present. Therefore the problem mostly is in the physical components of the man’s sexual response. These physical factors are related to the nerve–blood vessels complex, sex hormones and the sexual muscles (P.C. Muscles). Sex hormones are responsible for generating desire at the sex centre in hypothalamus of the the brain. Nerves conduct the signals from the sex centre to the blood vessels in the penis. Blood vessels dilate on getting the signals and the blood spreads into the cavities of the penile tissue (cavernous tissue).This blood flow causes elongation and the erection of the penis. The sexual muscles in the perineal region help maintain the erection and make it harder. All these factors must be at the optimum performance level, otherwise the problem of erection occurs.

What is the role of psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy was aimed at removing various guilt, complexes and anxiety. It includes sex education and counselling. It may improve the confidence level of the individual and by removing the inhibitions may stimulate the sexual desire. Psychotherapy has got limited success because it does not aim at improving and enhancing the physiological factors of the sexual response. Moreover it is a protracted course with unpredictable results.