It's not uncommon for a woman to blame herself. A woman may also feel hurt and angry because her partner has withdrawn from her physically and emotionally. The relief felt by an insecure partner who understands she is not to blame can be enormous and can enable her to more fully participate and support her partner's diagnosis and treatment. There are a number of medical conditions that are associated with impotence. Probably the most common is the use of certain medications that have side effects that can affect a man's potency.
Examples are drugs used to treat high blood pressure, sedatives, tranquilizers, and pain pills.
Fortunately, the side effect of impotence is reversible when the dosage is altered, or a different medication is prescribed by the physician. Medical illnesses that are often associated with impotence are diabetes, heart conditions and kidney and liver diseases. There are various surgical procedures that are often associated with impotence. The most common are cancer surgery of the colon, rectum, bladder, and prostate gland. Most problems of intimacy in the elderly can successfully be treated.