Impotence is defined as being unable to get an erection firm enough for intercourse for at least half of the time when sex is attempted. An erection results from filling of spaces within the spongy tissues of the penis with blood. Erections can fail as a result of medical conditions that interfere with sexual interest, the flow of nerve impulses to the penis, or the health of the blood vessels supplying the penis itself.
Impotence occurs frequently in our population.
At least 10 million adult American men are thought to be impotent. Impotence occurs in men of all ages, but occurs with greater frequency in men as they age from 45 to 95. Most of these treatments are nonsurgical in nature. Impotence usually starts with a reduction in the quality or duration of erections for intercourse. This is usually followed by an inability to get a full erection, and may progress to no erection at all.