The penis is a vascular organ which requires exercise. A healthy male will normally experience 3 to 4 erections during their sleep which may last a hour or more each. They are a normal body function whose purpose is to oxygenate the penile erectile tissue. Its inability to achieve and maintain an erection suitable for vaginal intercourse is called "male erectile dysfunction" (ED) or impotency, for short.

Impotency affects over 30 million men and their partners. To some men impotency is a symbol of the loss of their manhood, and can be critical to a man's ego and self-image. And often, because of this, some men are afraid to seek help. And, often when he does, the physician feels uncomfortable or is unable to help because many aren't aware of the options. If the truth were known, however, virtually 100% of impotency problems can be successfully diagnosed and treated, whether physical or emotional, unless there is permanent injury or severance of the nerves and or vascular supply necessary in the erectile process.

The appropriate treatment for impotence depends upon whether the cause is physical or psychological. A man whose impotence is psychologically based generally still has erections during sleep, whereas an individual whose impotence is physical in origin usually does to. One easy, inexpensive way to test for nocturnal erections is with postage stamps. Glue a strip of stamps around the shaft of the penis before going to bed. If the ring of stamps is broken in the morning, the cause of the impotence is likely psychological. If the strip is unbroken, the impotence is likely physiological. You can also purchase a kit called Snap Gauge from UroHealth Corporation. This test is designed to detect the measure the rigidity of erections experienced during sleep. Call (800)328-1103 for more information.

Considerations: Overall health is linked to impotence. In men 40 to 70, 52% of the men were impotent. Men who were being treated for heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes were one and a half to four times more likely than the overall group to be completely impotent later in life. The situation was even worse for men who had heart disease or hypertension and who smoked. Alcohol intake decreases the body,s ability to produce testosterone. Drinking alcohol may cause the mormonal equivalent of menopause in men. Alcohol not only affects sexual function, but also helps set the stage for a heartattack and other dangerous conditions. Arteriosclerosis, which restricts blood supply to the penis and to the nerves that govern sexual arousal, may result in a "failure to perform." If impotence is related to clogged blood vessels, a diet low in fats can actually help reverse the problem. Men who smoked one pack of cigarettes a day for five years were 15 percent more likely to develop clogging in the arteries that serve the penis, a situation that can cause impotence. In addition, heavy smoking decreases sexual capability by damaging the tiny blood vessels in the penis. The use of marijuana and cocaine also can result in impotence. According to figures from impotence organizations, only about 5 percent of the estimated 30 million men affected are aware of therapy options. Circumcised men, it is said, have a much higher rate of impotency than uncircumcised men. Urologists differ in the types of treatment they recommend for impotence, but many opt first for
nonsurgical treatment.

Recommendations: Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Include in the diet pumpkin seeds, bee pollen, or royal jelly. (Caution: Bee pollen may cause an allergic reaction in some
individuals. Start with a small amount, and discontinue use if a rash, wheezing, discomfort or
other symptom occurs.) Avoid alcohol, particularly before sexual encounters. Do notconsume animal fats, sugar, fried or junk foods. Do not smoke. Avoid being around cigarette smoke. Avoid stress. Consult a urologist for testing to determine whether impotence is caused by an underlying illness that requires treatment. Consider possible psychological factors that may be contributing to impotence, especially repressed anger or a fear of intimacy. Exploring psychological issues
with a qualified therapist can help. If you suspect impotence may be related to a drug you are taking, discuss this with your physician. There may be satisfactory, alternatives that will not cause this problem. Certain blood pressure medications and tranquilizers often cause erectile difficulties. The drugs cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac) which are used to treat ulcers and heartburn, also have significant side effects in some men. (Caution: Do not stop taking a prescription drug or change the dosage without consulting your physician. Investigate the possibility of heavy metal intoxication. A hair analysis can reveal possible heavy metal poisoning. Keep in mind that sexual function changes with age. As you age, you may require more stimulation and a longer period of time to achieve an erection.

Summary: This will give you some background on the subject. The important thing to remember is "Don't wait." The longer you wait, the greater the worry, the more difficult the treatment and recovery, and you'll miss out on a lot of great evenings in bed, too. So, find a
qualified doctor who is knowledgeable of the latest medical therapies. If you need help in locating someone the Impotence Institute of America & impotence Anonymous can help - 1.800.669.1603. The Institute also offers anonymous groups where men can hear the experiences of other men which usually relates to what they are going through.

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