Читать книгу Impotence - Friedrich Sauerländer - Страница 4

Impotence (the so-called erectile dysfunction) comes from the Latin and means as much as not being able to, in this context: not being able to perform sexual intercourse. But only in the following sense: the ability to have an erection and to perform sexual intercourse is impaired, a physical function is disturbed. This does not mean a short-term disturbance, but a disturbance over a longer period of time.

A distinction is made between two forms of impotence: Impotentia coeundi refers to what is generally understood by impotence, namely the inability to achieve or maintain an erection in order to perform intercourse. There is also the impotentia generandi, i.e. the inability to conceive a child. Ejaculation does occur, but the quantity or quality of the semen is not sufficient.

Colloquially, impotence usually refers to erectile dysfunction. Not every form of erectile dysfunction must be equated with impotence. The time factor is decisive here. A chronic disease and thus a real impotence is considered to be a six-month continuous existence of the disorder.