The problem of erectile dysfunction, or impotence, affects approximately 10 million men of all ages in the United States today. They are embarrassed or reluctant to discuss the problem with anyone, including their doctors.
Impotence is the inability to achieve or to sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse.
Until recently, many health care professionals believed that the cause of impotence was psychological, according to Ira Markman, M.D., a urologist on the staff of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center. Most men have periods of impotence at some point in their lives, and it's nothing that should cause worry. However, if the condition persists over a six-month period, it's time to consult a doctor. The ability to function sexually helps to define people's role in the world, shaping their identities. Many men suffer emotionally, without talking about it.