When a man is incapable of sexual intercourse, usually because he can't achieve or sustain an erection, he is considered impotent. Every man will have problems getting or keeping an erection at some time in his life. However, most men keep this secret. This often leaves the man who has this problem believing that he is the only one who has ever had to deal with this.

There are many causes of impotence. Impotence treatment centers say that about a third of the time, the problem is physical, psychological, or a mixture of both.

There are several physical causes. Many medications can result in impotence. Some of the most common ones are medicines for high blood pressure, depression, psychosis, anxiety and epilepsy. Drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes increases your risk of impotence. Alcohol can be very frustrating for men because it often increases sexual desire while decreasing the ability to function. Street drugs like PCP, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana all have bad effects on male sexual functioning. Several physical illnesses can cause impotence. Diabetes is one of the most common.

There are several psychological causes for impotence. Sexual abuse as a child can affect sexual functioning. Sexual abuse of boys is much more common than was previously thought. Being raised to feel guilty about sex makes it hard to relax. Sometimes men have unrealistic expectations about their sexual functioning. Men can also feel pressure to "perform" that results in anxiety and difficulty in functioning.

Physical and psychological factors can combine. For example, a man might have problems in getting an erection one night due to drinking too much. The next time he has sex, this memory may cause anxiety, which causes erectile problems again, but for a different reason.

Getting a physical exam is always a good idea. This will help determine the cause of the problem. Try not to be embarrassed. Your healthcare provider has seen many men with similar problems and will not be judgmental. If the problem is physical, there are many treatments, such as medications, pumps, and implants which can help. If the problem is psychological, there are techniques that you can learn that will help. One of the best books for men is The New Male Sexuality by Bernie Zilbergeld, Ph.D. This has excellent advice on all areas of male sexuality. But if you suffer from impotence, the first step is to admit that there is a problem and start looking for help.

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