Why You Shouldn't Wait to Tell Your Doctor about Impotence
The impotence taboo was largely dispelled once Viagra hit the market. But, just because we know that impotence is common, it still isn't always easy to talk about. Because of embarrassment, a lot of men don't tell their doctors when they start to experience performance problems. Besides from the toll that impotence can take on your relationship, putting off treatment could put you in danger.
Impotence is a Symptom, Not a Condition
Contrary to common belief, impotence (erectile dysfunction, also called ED) is NOT a medical problem. Rather, it is a symptom of another underlying medical condition. Some of the most common causes of impotence include:
The reason that impotence is so common amongst older men (up to 25% of men over 65) is because these conditions often accompany aging. But, even young men can get erectile dysfunction if they have health problems.
Some of the conditions which cause impotence don't have any other symptoms. For example, you may not realize that you have clogged blood vessels and feel perfectly healthy. If you ignore your impotence and don't get medical attention for it, then your clogged blood vessels may not get detected until much later when the condition has worsened. By this time, it may be too late to treat it. On the other hand, by bringing your impotence to your doctor's attention, your doctor will be more likely to spot the problem.
Treat the Problem, Cure the Impotence
Erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are all very helpful in treating impotence. But, they do NOT cure impotence. If you do not take the medicines, then you will still not be able to get an erection. Since impotence is a symptom, not a condition, the only way to cure it is to cure the underlying condition.
Depending on the cause of your impotence, the treatment route can vary significantly. For example, some men find that their erectile function improves within just weeks after they quit smoking. Since quitting smoking can also reduce blood pressure and improve vessel health, then the impotence may be completely cured within months. During the time it takes to cure impotence, you will likely still be able to take ED drugs so you can enjoy a healthy sex life.
If you don't treat the problem causing your impotence though, it is just likely to get much worse. Unfortunately, most men wait until they have full-blown impotence before they get any sort of treatment. At this point, the impotence may be irreversible - and the underlying condition causing it may have taken a serious toll as well. Don't hesitate to tell your doctor about your performance troubles as soon as they start causing you distress. Yes, it can be embarrassing but the problem will be a lot easier to fix sooner than later.
