The big problem with treating erectile dysfunction is the that it is so difficult for men to talk about it and communicate freely about it like other subjects such as the weather, the news and sport. If erectile dysfunction could be treated as easily as say a common cold or a headache the erectile dysfunction medication manufacturers would not have so much of a problem marketing the drugs and getting them to the patients. The challenge for the promters of Cialis, Viagra and Levitra is to get erectile dysfunction out of the taboo subject area and into mainstream conversation.

Different countries have different attitudes to impotence and this is normally to do with the extent of the machisimo culture evident in society and whether men and women are able to communicate freely about certain subjects. In Australia efforts are being made to help impotent men and their partners to deal with the problem as over 2 million Australian suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Recent figures released by Impotence Australia estimate that in Australia when a man gets an erection problem he waits an average of three whole years before working up the courage to see a doctor and discuss the problem. The stress and worry that must be present in those three years is serious and very damaging to self esteem and confidence. Some men never seek help for the problem and resign themselves to a life without sexual intercourse.

As many as 40% of men said in an Australian survey that they had experienced problems with getting erect. Impotence can be divided into 2 different categories namely primary and secondary impotence. Primary impotence is when there is complete impotence and secondary impotence is when the man is finding that he is having difficulties in maintaining and keeping erection.

Most impotence is brought on by unhealthy living such as obesity, smoking, drinking and being generally careless with your health which damages the all important arteries which allow the blood to flow to and from the penis. Recent research shows that heavy smokers are two times as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than non smokers as it can cause atherosclerosis which is when the arteries get narrower and harder thus restricting blood flow.

In fact Australian doctors are well advised to treat the root causes of the ED as well as the erectile dysfunction itself as ED is a precursor of coronary disease, circulation problems, diabetes, blood pressure problems as well as liver and kidney complications.