Impotence or erectile dysfunction is not easily or openly discussed but is not new in medicine or human experience. Cultural expectations of male sexuality inhibit many men from seeking help for a disorder than can, in most cases, benefit from medical treatment. The problem is not permanent and can be cured.
For erectile health a proper balance of certain chemicals, gases and other substances is critical. Excessive amounts of collagen form scar tissue which can impair erectile health. So collagen is the major component in structural tissue in the body. Oxygen also plays an important role which affects two substances in achieving harder erections.
Oxygen suppresses TGF-B1 because it appears to stimulate collagen production in the corpus cavernosum, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. It also enhances prostaglandin E1 which activates an enzyme that initiates calcium to relax the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow to the penis. When oxygen levels are high a man can normally have three to five erections per night.
In fact, a cold is one common condition that can cause temporary impotence. It is safe to say, then, that every man experiences erectile dysfunction from time to time. Heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension can cause sexual dysfunction and are more likely to occur in older than younger men.
