Expert says impotence no shame

Expert says impotence no shame

JAKARTA (JP): The bad news for diabetes mellitus sufferers is that they are twice to five times more likely to become impotent than those who do not have the disease. The good news is that the condition is reversible.

Arif Adimoelja of Airlangga University in Surabaya said yesterday men should not be afraid of impotence or embarrassed to discuss their sexual dysfunction with their wives or doctors.

The professor of biomedicine and andrology also said men should not worry or feel ashamed about the problem because it can be treated and in some cases cured completely.

"Erectile dysfunction is a common problem occurring in 5 to 10 percent of men who live in big cities," Arif told the 50 participants of a scientific meeting on the subject.

The meeting was held by Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital and Pharmacia & Upjohn. Another speaker at the meeting was Akmal Taher of the Ministry of Health.

Although most male sexual dysfunction can be explained logically, the condition is always accompanied by psychological aspects such as stress, which further complicate it, Arif said.

He said a survey of patients done in Surabaya between 1991 and 1995 determined that about one third of the cases of impotence recorded in the study were caused by diabetes mellitus.

He said 90 percent of all cases of impotence can be explained and cured. No physical reasons for impotence can be found in 10 percent of cases, which are thus considered purely psychological erectile dysfunction.

Current available medical treatments include penile injection therapy, external vacuum therapy, penile surgical implants, hormone medication, counseling and reconstructive surgery, and counseling and therapy. (31)