Erectile dysfunction refers to a multifactorial psychosomatic syndrome that manifests in men of any age and is described by the typical symptoms of erectile dysfunction that are necessary to satisfy sexual desire.
Impotence in men over 50 can be an indicator of multiple organ dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction significantly reduces a man's quality of life.
Impotence is understood as the inability to achieve a full and stable erection, to maintain it and ensure successful sexual intercourse. The concept of "impotence" is considered obsolete, but it continues to be used in everyday life and does not lose its relevance.
The term "erectile dysfunction" is commonly used in urological practice.
The rate of potency reduction in men after the age of 50 reaches 25%. Complaints of erectile dysfunction peak in the sixth decade.
Causes of poor potency and impotence over 50
Male potency weakens after 50 years for many reasons. Accumulated health problems are manifested not only by the manifestation of diseases of the heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, joints, but also by problems with the functioning of the reproductive system.
The leading causes of decreased potency in men over the age of 50 are vascular pathologies, psychological disorders, and diseases of the nervous system. In addition, prostate adenoma in men over the age of 50 is often considered to be the cause of erectile dysfunction.
According to international studies, there are several major causes of impotence in older men:
- Vascular: atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, disorders of fat metabolism (elevated cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high atherogenic index). These vascular factors contribute to the abnormal functioning of the cavernous sinuses of the penis, causing narrowing of the arteries and veins, which prevents the normal filling of blood, which prevents an erection. Normal potency in men requires dilation of the veins of the cavernous bodies of the penis, which is impossible with vascular pathology, which is characterized by elevated blood pressure, atherosclerotic plaques in the abdominal aorta. Progressive varicose disease that affects the small pelvic vessels also causes impotence in men over the age of 50 years.
- Neurogenic: Central and peripheral. Central are Parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, cerebral infarction, epilepsy. Peripheral includes pathologies of the nervous system caused by other diseases, in particular, diabetes, alcoholism, polyneuropathy. These diseases cause a gradual disruption of the trophism of the tissues of the genitals, degenerative processes in the nerve fibers.
- Urological: prostate adenoma, chronic prostatitis.
- Iatrogenic, due to medical care: damage to the nerves of the rectum, testicles, prostate, bladder during surgical interventions.
- Traumatic: Pelvic injuries, damage to the genital arteries, urethra, spinal cord, pelvic bone fractures.
- Endocrine: obesity, insufficient or excessive thyroid function, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, pituitary gland pathologies, adrenal glands (Itzenko-Cushing syndrome).
- Medications: Taking medications that lower blood pressure, restore heart rate, diuretics, antidepressants, antiallergics, tranquilizers, antiandrogens, some hormonal agents (estrogens, pituitary hormone-releasing hormone analogues, and antagonists).
- Anatomical, meaning abnormalities or diseases of the penis: Peyronie's disease, hypo and epipadia, fracture of the penis, severe curvature of the penis.
- Psychological: Sexual arousal disorder due to two types of provoking factors. The generalized type means a complete lack of libido, a violation of intimacy in the relationship. Situational type refers to the pronounced effect of stress on a man's body, on personal relationships with a partner. Situational impotence is usually not a pathology and requires the resolution of personal problems, after which erectile function is restored.
As a result of sexual arousal, the nerve impulse along the reflex arc rings of a healthy man causes a stable erection. This process is based on the release of nitric oxide, the source of which is the cells lining the blood vessels of the penis.
In order for an erection to occur and continue, the nerve impulse must reach the smooth muscle cells that make up the vessels of the penis. As a result, the nerve endings interact with the endothelium (the inner layer of blood vessels) and secrete nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide, in turn, activates an enzyme that promotes the release of calcium ions from cells. Smooth muscle cells relax and an erection occurs.
Full functioning of the reflex arc, which provides normal potential, is possible only if the healthy condition of its rings is maintained: nerves, blood vessels, endocrine glands.
The pathogenesis of potency disorders in men over the age of 50 years is associated with a decrease in the release of nitric oxide by cells in the vessels of the penis. As a result, the cascade of reactions that ensures a full erection is broken.
Many organs and systems are involved in the process of determining normal potency in a 50-year-old man. A number of diseases that a sixty-year-old adult male will inevitably face lead to the defeat of one of the rings of the reflex arc that provides the potential.
Almost all men experience episodes of impotence by the age of 50, however, depending on the severity of dysfunction in various organs and systems, erectile dysfunction can be situational (temporary) or permanent.
ᲛSignificant
Persistent impotence in a 50-year-old man requires a systematic and integrated approach to treatment. A one-sided approach to treating impotence leads to a temporary improvement in the situation.
Diagnosis of impotence
Not all men consult a urologist or sex therapist to address potency problems. Typically, members of the stronger sex use folk remedies or independently buy popular remedies to improve potency in pharmacies.
A comprehensive diagnosis of impotence in men over the age of 50 consists of the following steps:
- Small pelvic ultrasound, including transrectal ultrasound of the prostate, pharmacodoplerography of the vessels of the penis;
- Visual test for erotic stimulation;
- Monitoring of penile tumors, including overnight stays;
- Palpation of the prostate through the rectum;
- Cavernosography, spongiosography;
- CT and MRI;
- Study of penile vascular endothelial functions (coronary angiography with acetylcholine, study of shoulder artery flow-dependent dilation with its narrowing, laser dopplerometry, study of peripheral artery tone);
- Biochemical blood test, glucose tolerance test, assessment of blood lipid spectrum;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
- Blood test for hormones (male and female, thyroid and adrenal hormones);
- Blood test for prostate specific antigen;
- Cardiovascular studies (veloEKG, ultrasound).
An important point in diagnosing the root causes of impotence in men over 50 is to consult a sexologist and psychologist. In addition, tests are widely used to detect potency pathologies that are widely available on the network, for example, ICEF.
How to increase potency after 50 years
Treatment of impotence in men after the age of 50 is carried out in most cases by conservative methods, including drug therapy and the intervention of a psychologist.
First of all, for the success of the treatment of impotence in adult men it is necessary to cure or restore pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, endocrine system, liver, kidneys, bladder. And prostate gland.
In men over 50, the potency without chronic pathologies of the internal organs can be corrected by popular remedies - phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEs).
PDE inhibitors are the most effective and fast-acting drugs in male sexual pathology. This includes funds based on:
- Vardenafil - duration of effect is 5-12 hours;
- Sildenafil - duration of action 4 hours;
- Tadalafil - Duration of action 36 hours.
The drugs are used one hour before sexual intercourse (half an hour). You should know that minimal arousal is essential for the formation of an erection when taking this group of joints. The dose is on average 50 mg, but may be reduced to 25 mg or increased to 100 mg simultaneously.
However, such drugs have a fairly wide range of side effects on the lungs and heart, as the drug acts not only on the endothelium of the vessels of the penis.
Increased potency in men after 50 years with the help of PDE inhibitors is achieved by influencing the main mechanism of the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction: an increase in nitric oxide concentration. In addition to this group of agents, NO-synthase activators are used to increase nitric oxide content.
Many men worry about whether alcohol can be used to increase the chances of relaxation and a stable erection, how to increase potency after 50 years with the help of medication, and whether they can be combined with alcohol.
If a man does not abuse alcohol, does not suffer from severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system, then popular ways to increase potency can be combined with alcohol.
In addition to PDE inhibitors, popular treatments for impotence include:
- Testosterone Remedies. Restoration of potency in men after 50-60 years, when testosterone production is reduced by the testicles, preparations of male sex hormones can be used.
- Prostaglandins that are injected into the tissues of the penis. Remedies improve blood flow, normalize the filling of veins and arteries with blood.
- Alpha-blockers, the action of which is based on the expansion of the vessels of the penis and small pelvis.
Potency can be increased with such folk remedies as eleutherococcus, ginseng, aralia, pumpkin seeds, nuts, celery, honey, ginger. In addition, dietary supplements are widely used.
Since it is quite difficult to improve potency after 50 years in the presence of chronic diseases, it is recommended to use additional physiotherapeutic methods, in particular, acupuncture, electrophoresis.
Potency can also be increased by mechanical means, in particular by using a vacuum pump for the penis.
In the treatment of impotence it is important to fight obesity and alcohol dependence.
As you know, fat cells in the male body are considered to be a source of female sex hormone, which upsets the hormonal balance, leading to prostate pathologies and sexual dysfunction. Beer is a source of natural estrogens. Men over the age of 50 should drink beer no more than once a week.
It is necessary to lose weight gradually, no more than 5 kg per month. Moderate exercise and diet are recommended. Intense, spontaneous and unexpected exercises in the gym will not lead to recovery of potency, but only aggravate the situation.
Dosing approach to dynamic loads, nutrition correction will allow you to defeat impotence without harming the body.