How does the spinal cord affect potency

Neurology and potency

On 18 December 2013.

Problems with the implementation of sexual intercourse in a man arise under various circumstances, one of which may be the presence of any disease that complicates the work of the reproductive system. In the population of patients with erectile dysfunction, about 10% of cases are caused by various neurological factors, because tumors and injuries of the brain and spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, herniated discs, cerebral insufficiency, syringomyelia, stroke and other ailments can affect potency.

All changes in the spinal cord or brain that were obtained as a result of any diseases or injuries block and impede the normal passage of nerve impulses, which causes erection problems in men and neurogenic impotence occurs. In 75% of cases, it is caused by serious spinal cord injuries, the rest are cerebrovascular pathologies, neoplasms, hernias, multiple sclerosis and other neurogenic diseases.

Diagnosis of impotence in the presence of neurological problems

In all patients with neurogenic impotence, it is necessary to examine the sensitivity of the penis and carefully study their neurological status. It should be taken into account that a person has urination disorders and back pain that accompanies the pathology of some parts of the spinal cord. If a man does not have the ability to have erections, then this indicates a complete damage to his sacral regions.

In the diagnosis of impotence of a neurogenic nature, some of the following research methods are used:

• Determination of the sensitivity threshold of the penis to vibration - the procedure is performed using a special biothesiometer device, deviations in sensitivity are considered an early manifestation of peripheral neuropathy.
• Determination of refractoriness of the sacral nerves - the body or head of the penis is subjected to electrical stimulation and the induced muscle contractions are recorded electromyographically. The obtained data on reflexes can be used to clarify the diagnosis in case of suspected problems with the sacral spinal cord.
• Electromyography of the muscles of the perineum - using a sterile concentric electrode inserted into the bulbospongius muscle, an electromyogram of the muscles is obtained during contraction and at rest.
• Somatosensory potentials of the dorsal nerve of the penis - the right and left parts of the penis are periodically stimulated, thanks to this procedure it is possible to assess the state of the thalamocortical synapse.
• Monitoring of nocturnal erections - in healthy men, they occur in the phase of REM sleep, with neurogenic impotence, they are completely absent or weak and defective erections are recorded.

Neurology and potency - take care of yourself

Today there is no single answer to the question of how to avoid impotence, but there are general recommendations, following which you can maintain your sexual health for a longer time. First of all, you need to lead a normal lifestyle, do not abuse alcohol, nicotine and narcotic drugs. A decrease in erectile function is often observed in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, as well as injuries of the pelvis and brain, and, unfortunately, the restoration of potency in this case can be very long. Take care of your nerves: avoid stressful situations, try to get enough sleep every day and have a good rest, do not worry over trifles.

Spinal impotence: causes, symptoms and treatments

If in men over 50 years of age, problems in bed are most often of an endocrine nature, then at a younger age, Spinal impotence can be the cause of disorders, and everyone should know about the symptoms and methods of treatment.

Lack of erection or its pronounced weakness, low libido and rapid ejaculation - for the most part disturbing and extremely unpleasant symptoms for any man. However, not every member of the stronger sex who has such problems seeks medical help.

And all because it is considered shameful in society, and it is simply easier to take one pill for potency, despite its short-term effect. To some extent, this can be called a way out, but it's still better to see a doctor.

What is spinal impotence and what are its causes?

Spinal impotence is understood as a predominantly primary lesion of nerve regulatory points (functional or organic nature) responsible for erectile function and localized in the spinal cord.

In the early stages, the centers of erection and ejaculation may experience pathological excitability, which is soon replaced by functional exhaustion.

Depending on the degree of damage, the following types of spinocortical impotence are distinguished:

• With simultaneous excitability of both centers (ejaculation and erection).
• With the prevalence of excitability of the ejaculatory center, while the erection center is in a state of oppression.
• With areflexia of the ejaculatory center and simultaneous hyperexcitability of the erection center.
• With simultaneous hypoexcitability of both centers.

Actual causes of spinal impotence:

• Injury to the lumbar spine or spinal cord with involvement of the centers described above.
• Affection of the parts of the brain that send nerve signals to control points.
• Long-term sexual intercourse, as a result of which a pathological dominant and stagnation in the pelvic organs are created.
• Frequent and prolonged masturbation.
• Frequent interruption of sexual intercourse.
• Prolonged increased sexual arousal that does not end in sex.
• Frequent and prolonged erection of the penis, which also does not end with intercourse and ejaculation.

All of the above factors lead to congestion in the pelvic cavity, namely in the prostate gland, the initial part of the urethra and the seed tubercle. Therefore, chronic inflammatory processes in the prostate or other organs of the reproductive system can act as a provoking factor for impotence or aggravate the course of spinal Erectile dysfunction.

Less commonly, the causes of damage to the sexual spinal points are degenerative and organic diseases of the central nervous system: multiple or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myelitis, syringomyelia, ascending progressive paralysis, tumors of the spinal cord, etc.

Main symptoms and signs

The clinical symptoms of spinal impotence depend on its type and therefore differ somewhat from each other.

With increased excitability of both genital centers, a normal adequate erection is observed, but most often it is caused by factors not related to sexual life, this largely interferes with a man. As for ejaculation, it occurs extremely quickly and often even before sexual contact. Also, among the complaints of patients, there are frequent nocturnal and rare daytime emissions (uncontrolled ejaculation, mainly during sleep).

With hyperexcitability of the ejaculatory and reverse state of the erection center, premature ejaculation is noted against the background of weakened erectile function. Even with poor erection, nocturnal emissions occur.

If both regulatory centers are depleted, spinal impotence is characterized by the following symptoms: a sluggish erection, in which sexual intercourse is still possible, long intervals between the onset of excitement, moderate morning erection (all this is typical for a mild stage). In a more severe course, the erect state of the penis is achieved with difficulty, sometimes with the help of mechanical stimulation. Moreover, sexual acts are impossible or succeed in unnatural conditions. Often, the potency disappears into the vagina, which is why intercourse is interrupted. Orgasm comes late and is weakly expressed. In some cases, erection and ejaculation are not observed at all.

An isolated lesion of the ejaculatory center has such signs of spinal impotence as an adequate libido and a normal persistent erection against the background of a complete absence of ejaculation (given that there are no anatomical obstacles). No matter how long the sexual intercourse lasts, sperm is not released, the man does not reach orgasm. Such aspermatism contributes to the loss of interest in sexual life and is one of the causes of male infertility.

Treatment of spinal erectile dysfunction in men

Rational treatment of spinal impotence should always begin with the correction or elimination of the root cause of the disease and concomitant pathology. For example, in case of a spinal injury during the rehabilitation period, it is allowed to use special corsets or belts that fix the intervertebral discs, preventing their displacement. It also helps to avoid swelling of the spinal roots.

Physiotherapy procedures and exercise therapy prescribed by the appropriate specialist have an excellent effect on recovery. However, with a severe injury or an inoperable tumor, it is not possible to cure spinal impotence.

When diagnosing the same multiple sclerosis, lifelong therapy with systemic glucocorticoids is prescribed, which, unfortunately, depresses the body's immune function.

The main goal of the treatment is to strengthen the spinal points, which is possible by injecting immunomodulators. The most popular and effective drug is Alfarekin, which is a water-soluble powder for injection. The course of treatment is 10 days of intramuscular injection.

It is also possible and necessary to treat spinal impotence in men with the help of water-soluble vitamins from group B. They, in turn, improve nerve conduction and restore myelin fibers. Two routes of administration are possible: intramuscularly and orally, of which preference should be given to the first for better efficiency.

In some cases, low doses of tranquilizers are used. The drug should be selected exclusively by the attending physician, taking into account the severity of symptoms and the individual characteristics of the patient. Do not forget about a diet with a high content of trace elements (calcium, magnesium, etc.), which strengthen the bone and muscle frame, as well as side (partially) restore erectile function.

Neurological causes of impotence - diseases and brain damage

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection of the penis, making it impossible to have a full sexual desire. Diseases of the nervous system are a common cause of Sexual disorders.

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction originates from the brain and spinal cord (brain damage). Diseases of the central nervous system also often lead to sexual disorders, including erectile dysfunction.

Neurological causes of erectile dysfunction

Neurological causes of erectile dysfunction of "central" origin (disturbances in the brain) include: brain tumors, trauma, hematomas, epilepsy, infections of the central nervous system, degenerative diseases (for example, Parkinson's disease) and dementia (for example, ).

In contrast, the spinal cord can be damaged by trauma, infection (both bacterial and viral), vascular disorders, cancer, and by altering the demyelination that occurs in multiple sclerosis.

In diseases and injuries of the spinal cord, erectile dysfunction occurs more often than in brain injuries.

Physiology of erection

Currently, there are 3 types of penile erection: nocturnal, psychogenic and reflexive. The center of the erection of the penis is located in the spinal cord, at the level of the lumbar region.

The nerve impulse arising in the head (in particular, in the temporal lobe), after checking by the cerebral cortex, is transmitted to the nucleus of the spinal cord and further to the erection center in the spinal cord (section S1-S3), and from here, by special nerves, it is stimulated blood flow to the corpora cavernosa and spongy body, which causes an erection.

All substances or conditions that damage this pathway will have an effect on the occurrence of erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction of cerebral origin

• Brain tumors, which include not only cancer, but also unusual growths such as abscesses, parasites, hemorrhages;
• Another factor could be brain injury. Injuries are most often the result of movement and secondary cerebral hemorrhages. As a result of damage, there is a weakening of sexual desire and the development of erectile dysfunction;
• Strokes affecting the elderly. It has been proven that erectile dysfunction occurs more often after strokes of the left hemisphere. It is estimated that half of the people after a stroke are able to continue to lead a normal sex life;
• Epilepsy is a common condition in young people who are going through a period of high sexual activity. Sexual disorders are often observed in temporal lobe epilepsy. An additional factor that can increase erectile dysfunction are drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy.

Erectal disorders of spinal origin

Injuries are the cause of erectile dysfunction in 20% of cases. It is estimated that up to half of spinal cord injuries are caused by road traffic accidents.

When an interruption of the intervertebral nucleus occurs as a result of an injury, a complex of symptoms occurs in the form of lower extremity damage, sphincter damage, which is manifested by sphincter control problems, and sexual dysfunction. A person after such an injury, as a rule, is disabled for the rest of his life.

Tumors of the spinal cord

Most often, these are benign tumors, for example, meningiomas, which grow in a rigid structure, however, gradually they cause compression of the spinal cord and a simultaneous violation of its functions. Initially, small paralysis appears, in the final stage, a complete disruption of the continuity of the spinal cord can occur.

Squeezing leads to paralysis, numbness, loss of sensation, as well as lack of erection and degenerative changes in the testicles.

Sexual disturbances are often the first symptom of an enlarged tumor. Treatment in such situations is mainly surgical.Excision of the tumor, if there was no death of nerve cells due to inhibition, makes it possible to completely get rid of the symptoms and restore sexual function.

Multiple sclerosis and diseases of the spinal cord

This is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (i.e. the brain and spinal cord). With this disease, demyelination and decay of neurons occurs, which leads to the fact that the nervous system does not function properly. This is the most common cause of spinal cord injury in young people.

Sexual disorders in multiple sclerosis have a cause both in the brain and in the delivery of a nerve signal. Sexual disorders in this disease are very common, in addition, unfortunately, in a significant proportion of cases, the disease begins at a young age, during the peak of sexual activity.

It is assumed that after several years of the disease, erectile dysfunction occurs in 70% of patients. In addition, in addition to the lack of erection, there may be a decrease in libido, difficulties in maintaining an erection of the penis. In some cases, when the disease proceeds in the form of exacerbations and remissions, sexual opportunities may return at the time of remission of neurological symptoms.

Among the diseases of the spinal cord that cause erectile dysfunction, there are:

• Dorsal tabes. This is a form of inflammation of the spinal cord caused by syphilis spirochetes in the later stages of the disease. Erectile dysfunction is one of the symptoms of dryness. At present, due to the widespread use of penicillin treatment, the late nervous form of syphilis is rare.
• Myelitis. Most often, inflammation of the spinal cord is caused by viral infections. Sexual disorders in this case are transient, that is, sexual function returns after the underlying disease has been cured.
• Polio. In the case of polio, erectile dysfunction is quite common. However, at present, thanks to effective and widely used vaccination, this disease is practically not found in developed countries.