Impotence at 40

Most often, the extinction of sexual function for organic reasons occurs in persons who have reached the age of 40. During this period, men develop numerous pathologies, aggravated by bad habits and regular stress.

Factors predisposing to a decrease in potency

The likelihood of sexual inadequacy increases significantly in the presence of such negative factors as:

• alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, tobacco smoking
• concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis)
• obesity and improper diet

Starting from the age of 30, the plasma concentration of the testosterone hormone gradually decreases in the patient's body. After the onset of 40 years, this process becomes noticeable and a man can easily notice a change in the level of sexual desire, a decrease in sexual activity, a decrease in the frequency of erection, which previously could appear 1-2 times a day. Lack of sex hormone causes a dysregulation of the components of the copulatory cycle, a decrease in libido and a decrease in the activity of erection mediators in the nerve endings. The overall tissue metabolism slows down. There is a weakening of smooth muscles and endothelium, connective tissue and cavernous nerves of the male penis.

Common types of impotence

Middle-aged men tend to develop organic health disorders that lead to destabilization of sexual performance. Systemic pathologies that provoke a decrease in sexual potency can be primary (congenital and genetically determined defects) or secondary (acquired diseases).

Vascular erectile dysfunction

Vascular diseases do not allow a full erection to occur. In the presence of such violations, a sufficient amount of plasma content does not enter the caverns, or the blood is quickly discharged through the venous outflows, provoking a short-term erection. Vascular erectile dysfunction associated with impaired veno-occlusive mechanism and insufficient blood flow in the cavernous arteries is a consequence of venous or arteriogenic lesions. In about 70-80% of men who cross the 40-year mark, insufficient blood supply is diagnosed, which contributes to a decrease in arterial flow to the cavernous tissue of the penis. The cause of a violation of the blood supply to the inguinal zone is hypertension, pronounced atherosclerosis of the vascular walls or diabetes mellitus. In some cases, vascular diseases occur as a result of lipid metabolism disorders and prolonged nicotine addiction. Since inhalation of toxic fumes from cigarettes provokes severe vascular spasms, as a result, the smooth muscles of the arteries become thinner, they become more fragile and brittle. Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, which causes abnormal discharge of blood from the perineal region, may result from surgery or injury to the pelvic organs. Malfunctions of the veno-occlusive mechanism are observed in the case of:

• changes in venous drainage
• loss of the ability of cavities to relax
• the onset of the consequences of Peyronie's disease
• penile fractures

Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction

The reason for the development of neurological lesions is most often unsuccessful surgical procedures and injuries in the perineal region. Diseases cause damage to parts of the nervous system, which entails a loss or significant decrease in the sensitivity of organs and sex receptors to excitatory factors. Due to the presence of neurogenic changes, a man completely loses the ability to have sexual intercourse or does not experience pleasant sensations during its course. Violations of the conduction of nerve impulses to the genitals leads to persistent impotence and severe erectile dysfunction, which is rarely amenable to medical treatment.

Medicinal erectile dysfunction

Violation of the mechanisms for the formation and maintenance of a healthy erection occurs due to the systematic intake of large doses of medications. This form of erectile dysfunction is temporary and resolves itself immediately after the termination of drug treatment. However, some men suffer from medical conditions that require constant exposure to drugs (such as prostate cancer). In this case, the erectile disorder will continue for the rest of your life.