Temporary impotence

Also known as erectile failure, this is a condition that is characterised by the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficiently firm and long enough for sexual intercourse.

Causes of temporary impotence

To discuss the causes of temporary impotence, it is imperative that we understand the mechanism by which the man achieves an erection. Simply put, there are tissues in the penis known as corpora cavernosum and spongiosum into which blood is pumped when a man is sexually aroused. When the penis has become sufficiently erect and firm, two muscles (ischiocarvenosus and bulbospongiosus), located around the penis compress the veins and stop blood from flowing out of the penis. For effective erection of the penis, the groin (area around the penis) has to be richly supplied with blood. From this description, it is obvious that whatever blocks the pumping of blood into the penis will cause erectile failure.

Causes of temporary impotence could be organic or psychological.

Organic causes include illnesses like hypertension and cardiovascular disease where plaques are deposited on the wall of the artery. The plaques reduce the lumen of the artery and reduce the amount of blood that gets to the penis. As blood flow to the penis reduces so also would it be more likely that the erection would fail. Other causes of erectile failure are low testosterone level, diabetes, use of medications (anti-hypertensive and anti-depressive drugs) and hormonal imbalances [hypogonadotropic hypogonadism].

Psychological (emotional) causes of temporary impotence are;
Stress: this may be defined as the impact of negative forces on an individual’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The individual’s response to the stressor (stress causing force), may affect the sexual life of such an individual. This may lead to such a reduction of libido (the urge for sex) that he may not be able to maintain an erection. Also, when impotence occurs as a result of stress, chances are that it may lead to more stress and anxiety the next time he is to have sexual intercourse. The man’s confidence becomes severely affected that he is sure of loosing an erection the next time

Fear. This could be fear of having another failure of erection, of rejection, of inability to bring the wife to orgasm and appear inexperienced, of being compared with other men, of inability to impregnate the wife, of premature ejaculation.

Ridicule by the wife. A woman who has had other sexual experiences may ridicule a husband who may not be as endowed or as skillful as a former ‘boy friend.’ Such may be mentioned at times of anger and quarreling.
Anger, hatred and bitterness

Nagging and complaining by the wife: A man will most certainly lose concentration and the power to maintain an erection if the wife complains of his lack of skillfulness and sexual expertise.

The controversy of a ‘small penis’ versus a ‘loose’ vagina: This is causing and has caused major problems between a man and his wife. Ignorance of what to do has fuelled these problems. It is believed that the woman’s vagina is originally loose, more so, after childbirth. The Kegel’s exercise is one that has been recommended to tighten the levator ani muscle and make it more elastic. The levator ani, otherwise known as the pubococcygeous muscle, surrounds the urethra (this is for urinating), the vagina and the anus. When this muscle is contracted, it creates gates around these three orifices shutting them up. If properly trained, skillful the levator ani muscle can cause the vagina to make a firm and tight grip of the penis, no matter the size.

Tiredness, pressure of work and lack of physical fitness: A man has to be physically fit and well rested to be able to achieve and maintain an erection.