Male Impotence

MALE IMPOTENCE

 Inability to have sexual relations is a complex problem. It may result from a disease of the testes or of the pituitary. Some nervous .system disorders cause impotence. In most cases, however, the testes and entire endocrine system are normal and the problem is trace- able to emotional disturbances or psychoneuroses. Such men may be helped by a family physician who understands emotional disorders. 

If necessary, the family physician may suggest help from a specialist in psychotherapy. Sterility, the inability to beget children, occurs in some men who are not impotent. It may be due to failure, for many possible reasons, to produce enough sperm or sperm active enough to reach and fertilize the female cell. 

While only one healthy sperm is needed for fertilization, and 300 million or more are usually released in an ejaculation, the journey to reach the female cell is so hazardous that many lively ones are required to ensure that a survivor gets to the right place at the right time. Ways have been found to help many men with sterility problems, as discussed elsewhere in this book.