Impotence and Male Infertility

The inability to conceive a child is a problem facing many couples every year. While the woman is usually the first one that doctors look to in diagnosing the underlying medical issue, the problem can also lie with the man. There are a number of reasons for male infertility and many can be treated fairly easily with medication, lifestyle changes or surgery. Unfortunately, doctors don't always get the chance to diagnose and treat these problems, because men are hesitant to talk to their doctors about the possibility of a problem. Andrology is the study of diseases of the male sex including those of the male productive organs. A doctor specializing in this field may be the best one to make an appointment with.

One of the most common reasons for male infertility is impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED). While it cannot be classified as a cause for infertility, the inability to get or hold an erection certainly won't help in the quest for conception. The good news is that the large majority of ED cases are physiological in nature, meaning that there may very well be a diagnosable cause and treatment options available. The first step in treating impotence is to talk to a doctor about the problem.

Causes

There are many reasons why impotence and the subsequent male infertility may occur, and pinpointing the cause will be the first step in an effective treatment plan. Physical causes for erectile dysfunction can include an underlying illness such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Other illnesses that can contribute to ED are multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and metabolic syndrome. Obesity can also contribute to this problem, as well as alcoholism and tobacco use. Some prescription medications, such as those used to treat depression and high blood pressure, will include erectile dysfunction as a side effect. In a few cases, erectile dysfunction is psychological in nature, like when a person is diagnosed with depression or anxiety or is under an unusual amount of stress. Depending on the cause of the ED, there are a variety of treatment options available.

Treatment

If the cause of the impotence is a prescription medication, the specific type of medicine can often be switched out with another. For ED caused by lifestyle choices like smoking or alcohol use can be remedied by simply kicking the habit in many cases. Physical reasons for erectile dysfunction may be a bit trickier to treat, since medication specifically for the ED may be needed in addition to treating the underlying illness. There are a number of very good medications for treating erectile dysfunction on the market today, including the well known Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These medications are not right for everyone, since some will interfere with other medications or exacerbate a current medical condition.

Male infertility is an embarrassing problem for many men, but the good news is that there is help available. If ED is getting in the way of your family planning, talk to a doctor who specializes in andrology today.