Impotence is the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection.
This makes it impossible to complete satisfactory sexual intercourse. It is quite common for men to experience occasional impotence in their lives. Impotence may be a symptom of another, as yet undiagnosed disease requiring treatment. An erection is a result of an interaction between the nervous system, the blood circulation system, the hormonal balance and psychological factors. For this reason, erectile problems may be caused by a number of factors, and often several come into play at the same time.