Impotence: Check Your Symptoms and Signs With the Symptom Checker by MedicineNet.com

Impotence Symptoms

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Terms related to Impotence:

Erectile Dysfunction

Impotence is a common problem among men characterized by the consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse or the inability to achieve ejaculation, or both. Erectile dysfunction can vary. It can involve a total inability to achieve an erection or ejaculation, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only very brief erections.

The risk of impotence increases with age. It is four-fold higher in men in their 60s compared with those in their 40s according to a study published in the Journal of Urology (2000;163:460-463). Men with less education are also more likely to experience impotence, perhaps because they tend to have less healthy lifestyles, eat a less healthy diet, drink more and exercise less. Physical exercise tends to lessen the risk of impotence.

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Causes of Impotence

Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as...learn more »
Depression Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one...learn more »
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes...learn more »
High Blood Pressure High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a...learn more »
Kidney Failure Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss,...learn more »
Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease which progressively injures the nerves of the brain and spinal cord, reflected by...learn more »
Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the second leading...learn more »
Smoking (How to Quit Smoking) Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or...learn more »
Stress Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However,...learn more »

Other Causes of Impotence

Examples of Medications for Impotence

Symptoms & Signs A-Z List