Is ED a modern phenomenon
- By:James Kirby
Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence is much publicized and talked about these days in the media, in part due to aggressive advertising campaigns of treatments such as Viagra. Before it was seldom discussed but that does not mean that it wasn’t there. Erectile dysfunction is by no means a modern phenomenon. It is undeniable that that the heavy pressures of modern life can contribute to the prevalence of erectile dysfunction, however, this does not mean that erectile dysfunction is some sort of new disease. Impotence has been around for a long time.
Man's preoccupation with potency has been present throughout the ages. Impotence is even mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, where a cure is suggested for King David's impotence. The Greeks and Romans made constant references to erectile dysfunction. Both these nations placed great emphasis on physical fitness and health and a man was considered to be more of a man is he had sex on a regular basis whether it was with his wife, his servants or in fact anything. It was not considered important for a man to sexually satisfy his women, but merely to be able to satisfy himself on a regular basis.
Today, women’s sexual needs are recognized also and in this regard, men are put under increasing pressure and may cause a man to get nervous and anxious and thus suffer from erectile dysfunction. When this happens it is known as performance anxiety and it appears to be far more prevalent in modern society is than it was previously.
Speculation about the causes of impotence continued throughout the centuries, with the ultimate focus on divine providence rather than physiology. Treatments included quinine, opium and digitalis, and sponging with cold salt water at 5 o'clock in the morning. For more difficult cases, physicians resorted to scarification of the perineum, followed by suction cups that drew out several ounces of blood, and the passage of a bougie smeared with a mercurial ointment upon the mucous membrane of the urethra. This was left for 5–10 min in the belief that the pressure would reduce the congestion in the vessels of the urethra.
These days treatment is a lot simpler, less painful and has less social stigma attached. Never the less erectile dysfunction remains a serious and debilitating condition for any man to suffer.About the author:
This information has been brought to you by Firstmed.co.uk, the UK’s leading online impotence clinic.If you wish to discuss any of the above issues in more detail, do not hesitate to contact info@firstmed.co.uk or call 44 (0)870 199 5287