Erectile dysfunction (also called impotence) affects most men at some time during their lives. It is estimated that as many as 30 million men may experience E.D. today. Everyman has a down day once in a while but if it happens more than one in 5 times, there's a problem.

Impotence may have either psychological or physiological triggers. On the physical level, it is caused by problems related to the blood supply of the penis-the arteries and veins which carry blood to and from the penis. Usually impotence is experienced by older men due to arterioclerosis or hardening of the arteries. But is can sometimes occur in young, active men due to injury or accident.

For many men with these factors, the sexual drugs may be prescribed to power blood flow to the penis to help sustain erections. Although these stimulants have been hailed as a "wonder drugs," they are far from it.

Sexual drugs (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) do not work for everyone and, in addition, can create unpleasant side-effects such a nausea, blurred vision, and heart palpatations. Several deaths have occured in men with heart conditions who took sexual drugs. In addition, medications for depressant, diabetes and various heart conditions can blunt the effect of drugs leaving limp erections. Lifestyle habits can also dampen potency--drugs such as tobaco, alcohol, hypertensives and cocaine can be prime erection downers.

According to reknowned wholistic physician Dr. Andrew Weil, most impotence is due to psychological rather than physical factors. For these men, drugs are not the answer, only an attempt at a "quick fix." They end up taking a drug they don't really need while the real cause of the impotence remains unchanged. The most effective treatment for resolving such impotence is treatment with a qualified sex surrogate.

A surrogate can help an individual relax to allow his full sexual potential, unmasked by medication --and without pressure or criticism--to emerge. Often with patience, specialized techniques and greater awareness of sexual response cycles, a man may find his body rebound from impotence to partial or full vitality. In addition, some inexpensive, easy-to-purchase sex toys can be amazingly helpful in perking up and maintaining faltering erections.