Impotence

Impotence

**Impotence as Weakness or Sexual Disorder- or Both? **  The first definition of impotence offered by Webster’s dictionary states that this word means “lacking in power, strength, or vigor.” Impotence, which can also be called erectile dysfunction, is a sexual disorder in which a man cannot obtain or sustain an erection (Impotent), but this innate association of the disorder with weakness suggests that the effects of this disorder involve much more than the inability to have an erection. **Causes **  A study that was published in the Journal of Sex Research (Schumacher and Lloyd, 1981) examined the relationship between the physio logical and psychological aspects of impotence in 102 impotent men. According to this study, historically there have been many misconceptions concerning the causes of impotence. A large amount of research in the 1970s and in earlier decades had attributed about 90% of instances of impotence to psychological problems (p. 41). According to newer studies, however, many causes of impotence are organic and relate to lifestyle choices or other physical problems. In the aforementioned study, 72.5% of the study participants had health-related problems including: neurological, metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital, and endocrine disorders (p. 45).  A website called “Impotence Guide” offers similar explanations for many men who experience impotence. The website claims other lifestyle factors are common among men who have trouble obtaining and sustaining erections such as smoking, alcohol abuse, illicit drug abuse, steroid use, and obesity (A Comprehensive Guide to Impotence Causes).  While a majority of men who experience impotence suffer this disorder because of physiological predispositions, the effects can be quite damaging, psychologically. As the introduction mentioned, the term “impotent” inspires feelings of inadequacy, weakness, and failure. Therefore, although there are many treatments for the physical problem of the body’s inability to have an erection, there are not as many treatments for the psychological damage that this disorder can have on a man’s self-esteem, relationships, and self-image. **The Psychological and Relational Effects of Impotence **  While the physical consequences of impotence are easy to understand, that is, a man cannot obtain or sustain an erection, the psychological effects are much more diverse and complicated and thus deserve to be discussed in greater detail. Many of the psychological effects of impotence can also be the cause of impotence. According to the Impotence Guide website, depression, relationship issues, and stress can all be causational and effectual (A Comprehensive Guide to Impotence Causes).  In looking at the emotional damage that impotence can cause, it is also important to examine the “why” of this damage. Why do a majority of impotent men fear intimacy, feel shame, and experience insecurity for a non-life threatening disorder? Considering the large number of terminal diseases that exist in today’s world, how can a disorder that ef fects only one, nonessential organ, cause as much damage to interpersonal relationships as life-threatening diseases? Tiefer also indicates in her article that while past research indicated that the cause of impotence was mainly psychological, research now indicates that impotence is the product of physiological factors. However, this increased medicalized discourse gives men an opportunity to “save face;” by focusing on the physical incapacities rather than mental or, men are able to avoid injury and are no longer responsible for the effects of this disorder. This can be very damaging for impotent men who are involved in a sexual relationship.  Professor Bond discussed in his course about sexual communication that gender socialization can impact the psychology of both men and women in terms of the roles each is “supposed” to play within the realm of sex. Typically, men are more harshly punished for exhibiting female behaviors or for not living up to the male gender standards (Bond Lecture). According to the Social Roles Theory about gender and sex, men are expected to fulfill the “masculine gender role,” and men need to be overtly masculine (Bond Lecture). However, these expectations combined with the “medicalization of impotence” can lead to a lack of communication from men about their sexual problems. Men may that impotence makes them less “manly,” and any conversations with their significant others concerning this inability to provide sexual satisfaction may become taboo. By blaming this disorder on a physical incapability and not taking responsibility for the psychological effects that impotency inevitably causes, impotent men are at great risk for permanently damaging personal relationships. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Phallocentrism” and the Role of the Penis in Today’s Society **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;"> “‘Taken by itself, the penis is a floppy appendage which rises and falls and is the source of many pleasures. The phallus is more than this. It is the physical organ represented as continuously erect; it is the inexhaustibility of male desire; it is a dominant element within our culture (Bradbury 1985, 134).’” (Tiefer 1994, 363).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This quote was taken from an article written by sexologist and psychologist Leonore Tiefer. In this article, titled “The Medicalization of Impotence,” Tiefer examines, among other things, the role of the penis within society and how this impacts a man who experiences impotence. According to Tiefer and many other theories concerning gender socialization, erectile function is central to a man’s identity. Society’s universalized and idealized perceptions about sex and sexual experiences are such that many men feel like failures when they are unable to fulfill these standardized expectations (Tiefer 372-373). A simple Google search defines phallocentrism as the use of the penis as a symbol of male dominance, and if society is phallocentric, as Tiefer claims, then this may be one explanation as to why there exists so many negative psychological effects related to impotence. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Treatments? ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> While there are many drugs available to assist impotent men with the physical act of achieving or sustaining an erection, the emphasis of this discussion of impotence thus far has not been on medical explanations or medical causes. The psychological problems associated with impotence are arguably the most devastating part of this disorder, and treatments for this aspect of the disorder should be given the most attention. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Relationship issues can often occur because of problems with impotence (A Comprehensive Guide to Impotence Causes), and the easiest and most effective way to treat this is through effective communication with one’s sexual partner. Stress and anxiety are often present in the minds of both partners when impotency is a problem within the relationship, and the only way to reduce both of these effects is through dialogue and open communication. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> In a medical journal, Alain Gregoire states that about 15-20% of men experience some sort of sexual problem, and he also says that for men, a “properly functioning penis is fundamental to…self-esteem (Gregoire 245). These men should seek solace in the number of men who share similar sexual problems, and it is only through open communication with others that the stigma and shame associated with sexual inabilities will be reduced.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;">**References**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;">A Comprehensive Guide to Impotence Causes. (n.d.).//Impotence Guide - All about Impotence//.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;"> Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.impotence-guide.com/impotence-causes.html

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;">Gregoire, A. (1999). ABC of Sexual Health: Male Sexual Problem. //British Medical//

//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Journal //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, //318//(7178), 245-247. Retrieved April 5, 2011, from

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;"> http://www.jstor.org.proxy2.library.illinois.edu/stable/25181644?seq=1&Search=yes&se

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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;">Impotent. (n.d.). //Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online//. Retrieved April 6, 2011,

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;"> from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impotent

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;">Schumacher., & Lloyd. (1981). Psychological and Physical Factors of Impotence. //Journal ofSex//

//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Research //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, //17//(1), 40-53.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 12.3pt;">Tiefer, L. (1994). The Medicalization of Impotence: Normalizing Phallocentrism.//Gender and//

//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Society //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, //8//(3), 363-377. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from

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