Impotency, or erectile dysfunction (ED), affects millions of men and their intimate partners. The term refers to a chronic difficulty in getting or sustaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity. Over half of men report having experienced erectile dysfunction at some time or another. National Impotency Month was created to encourage awareness of this common affliction which is so often shrouded by taboo and secrecy.
National Impotency Month timeline
- 1998
Viagra
Viagra, the first drug to reliably treat ED, hit the market.
- 1935
The discovery of testosterone
Testosterone, a sex hormone associated with erections, would thereafter play an important part of research into ED.
- 1873
First successful ED surgery
An Italian doctor successfully performed a surgery to unblock the arteries that supply blood to the penis in a man suffering from ED.
4 Hard-To-Believe Facts About ED
Historical ED treatments will shock you
ED and ways to treat it are to be found in the earliest medical texts from ancient Egypt onward. Over the years, treatments have included garlic, snake meat, and...electricity!
ED could lead to divorce
In medieval Europe and the Middle East, women could divorce their husbands on the grounds of erectile dysfunction. If the man in question decided to contest these charges, he would be brought into the courtroom and made to prove his potency before a panel of doctors and a beautiful woman hired for the occasion.
Viagra had other intentions
Viagra originally treated high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. When Pfizer discovered it led to erections, they decided to market it for this purpose instead. Viagra is now one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world
You're never too powerful to get ED
Former senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole, a prostate cancer survivor who struggled with ED, took part in the clinical trials for Viagra. He spoke frankly about his ED in a commercial for the drug.
How to Observe National Impotency Month
Get some exercise
Since erections involve circulating blood to the penis, anything that improves circulation will improve erectile function.
Schedule a prostate exam
Many problems associated with ED originate in the prostate – for example, prostatitis ( enlarged prostate), or prostate cancer. Even if you think you’re too young to have to worry about it, keeping a proactive attitude toward prostate health will help you avoid problems like these in the future.
Sexual activity
Making time for regular sexual activity now can guard against ED in the future. Research suggests that long periods without an erection deprives penile tissues of the oxygen-rich blood they need to stay strong and flexible.
Why National Impotency Month is Important
Sexual health is physical health
Sexual health is an important, yet often overlooked, factor in overall wellbeing. Regular sex has demonstrated benefits to many aspects of physical health, including brain function, cardiovascular activity, and immune response.
ED can warn of health risks
Erectile dysfunction is often the first warning sign of serious health concerns. It can be a symptom of afflictions such as heart disease, diabetes, or neurological disorders.
Sexual health is emotional health
A satisfying sex life is an integral component to one’s emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life. Many men find that when they cannot perform sexually, their mood, confidence, or motivation can suffer. Sexual difficulties often strain intimate relationships as well.
Also on Fri Nov 1, 2024...
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