Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction
Today’s society is a sexual playing field. Celebrities on television and movies, models on the covers of magazines, and even politicians have become sexual legends in the map of American society. The issue of sex is publicly discussed, on media and otherwise, and as such, it has become, to a great degree, a measure of self-worth. Issues such as breast size, penis size, and sexual stamina have flooded the American public with the idea that one is defined by how sexually appealing s/he is. As a result, it has become of monumental importance to the American male to remain sexually vigorous and virile. It is clear to see (in media especially) that the ‘perfect male’ is about twenty five years old with a rippling physique and a beautiful woman next to him. Never once, when we see our ‘perfect man,’ do we ever think that he could suffer from any form of sexual dysfunction. The ‘perfect man’ is young and virile. The truth, however, is that the general population of men in this country is getting older. The proverbial baby-boomers are on the cusp of reaching a stage in their sexual life where dysfunction is no longer a weakness in ‘littler’ men, but a reality. As such, erectile dystfunction (or impotence) has become a headlines making issue, from the physiological explanations behind it to the social implications that come with being impotent. This paper will first look into the physiological and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction in men. Then, this paper will delve into the advances that have been made in preventing erectile dysfunction. Finally, this paper will explore the ramifications both erectile dysfunction and ‘cures’ have on the majority of the men affected by it, older persons.
Physiological Explanations
In order to understand the causes of erectile dysfunction, a superficial physiological explanation is necessary:
(http://www.wellnessweb.com/IMPOTENT/anatomy.htm)
The previous diagram is an illustration of a
Today’s society is a sexual playing field. Celebrities on television and movies, models on the covers of magazines, and even politicians have become sexual legends in the map of American society. The issue of sex is publicly discussed, on media and otherwise, and as such, it has become, to a great degree, a measure of self-worth. Issues such as breast size, penis size, and sexual stamina have flooded the American public with the idea that one is defined by how sexually appealing s/he is. As a result, it has become of monumental importance to the American male to remain sexually vigorous and virile. It is clear to see (in media especially) that the ‘perfect male’ is about twenty five years old with a rippling physique and a beautiful woman next to him. Never once, when we see our ‘perfect man,’ do we ever think that he could suffer from any form of sexual dysfunction. The ‘perfect man’ is young and virile. The truth, however, is that the general population of men in this country is getting older. The proverbial baby-boomers are on the cusp of reaching a stage in their sexual life where dysfunction is no longer a weakness in ‘littler’ men, but a reality. As such, erectile dystfunction (or impotence) has become a headlines making issue, from the physiological explanations behind it to the social implications that come with being impotent. This paper will first look into the physiological and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction in men. Then, this paper will delve into the advances that have been made in preventing erectile dysfunction. Finally, this paper will explore the ramifications both erectile dysfunction and ‘cures’ have on the majority of the men affected by it, older persons.
Physiological Explanations
In order to understand the causes of erectile dysfunction, a superficial physiological explanation is necessary:
(http://www.wellnessweb.com/IMPOTENT/anatomy.htm)
The previous diagram is an illustration of a
Bibliography: 3) Fortune pg. 114-116 vol.137 Author: David Stipp and Robert Whitaker March 16, 1998 4) Maclean’s pg 5) American Fitness pg. 31 vol.16 num.6 Author: Anonymous November 1998 6) NIH Consensus Statement: Impotence Vol.10 Num.4 National Institutes of Health December 7-9, 1992