Impotence or erectile dysfunction is more often perceived as a symptom of aging in men. And, in fact impotence can be an alarm of the early symptoms of vascular disorders, such as diabetes or heart disease.
The experts who used to regard as a matter of psychological impotence and aging, are now beginning to believe that the cause of impotence is the most physical illnesses, like diabetes, hardening of the arteries, thyroid disorders or injury to the penis. Meanwhile, anxiety, stress, or medication will exacerbate the problem.
"Many diseases associated men with erectile dysfunction. Therefore, erection problems can be an alarm for other diseases that really has not been detected," said dr. Nur Rashid, Sp.U, chairman of the urology department of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia.
He explains, for penile erection blood vessel happened to be in good condition. If there is a blockage of blood vessels that lead to the penis so it is probable impotence.
"The blood vessels around the vital organs are smaller than blood vessels in the heart. Therefore, if there is a disturbance in the penis, in the long term disruption may occur also in the heart," said dr. Nur Rashid.
Nerve damage leading to and leaving the penis can also cause impotence. This nerve damage can occur due to diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, stroke, lower spine disease, rectal surgery or drugs.
Sometimes impotence also occur due to low testosterone levels, but the decline in male hormones are more often cause reduced libido.
Impotence start experienced by many men who are aged over 40 years. Research in 2008 showed 49 percent of men aged 40-59 years answered could always erect during intercourse and 39 percent answered usually erect.
Meanwhile, men aged over 60 years the vast majority (45 percent) said that his erection is often disrupted and only 18 percent who claimed to always be able to get an erection.
Therefore it is important for a man to maintain optimum health, one of them by conducting regular medical check ups. Conducting a healthy lifestyle can also prevent disruption in vital organs. For example, by exercising regularly, reducing fat and increasing fiber intake, rest sufficiently, and managing stress.
