Bombay HC annuls marriage due to husband’s relative impotency: ‘Acceptance of relative impotency would not brand him impotent…’

In a recent judgment by the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court, the marriage of a young couple was annulled because they could not consummate it due to the husband’s ‘relative impotency’. 

A report by PTI stated, “A division bench of justices Vibha Kankanwadi and S G Chapalgaonkar in the judgment on April 15 also noted that this was a fit case to help ‘young sufferers of marriage’ who could not connect with each other mentally, emotionally or physically.”

The court noted that the couple’s frustration and agony from this inability cannot be overlooked. It stated that initially, the husband blamed his wife for the non-consummation of their marriage as he did not want to admit his relative impotency towards her. 

“However, subsequently, he candidly admitted the same, being satisfied with the fact that it would not put lifelong stigma on him. The relative impotency is somewhat different than the general notion of impotency and the acceptance of relative impotency would not brand him impotent in general parlance,” it added.

This case sheds light on the impact of sexual dysfunction within marriages and the challenges it poses to couples.

What is relative impotency?

According to Dr Srikanth, senior consultant urology at Urocare Urology Superspeciality Clinic, “ Relative impotency, or situational erectile dysfunction, is defined as the inconsistency in achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity, specifically depending on the context or partner involved. This is contrasted with absolute impotency, where erectile dysfunction is persistent and universal across all situations and partners.”

However, it’s important for clinicians to distinguish relative impotency from other forms of sexual dysfunction such as libido disorders, ejaculatory issues, or general erectile dysfunction through detailed patient histories and relationship dynamics analysis, he suggests.

Common causes of relative impotency that could lead to the inability to consummate a marriage

There are some etiological factors that can contribute to relative impotency. According to Dr Srikanth, they are as follows:

Psychogenic Causes: Emotional or psychological stressors, anxiety about sexual performance, relationship conflicts, and depression are predominant psychogenic factors. These affect the neurological pathways responsible for arousal and erection primarily through psychological inhibition.

Physical Factors: While often less directly related, underlying conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or hormonal imbalances (e.g., low testosterone levels) can exacerbate situational impotence by impairing the physiological mechanisms required for an erection.

Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, particularly antihypertensives and antidepressants, can influence erectile function and exacerbate situational variations in sexual performance.

The strain of relative impotency can lead to significant psychological distress for the individual. (Source: Freepik)

Psychosocial impact of relative impotency in couples

Relative impotency can significantly impact the mental and emotional health of individuals and couples experiencing this condition.

The strain of relative impotency can lead to significant psychological distress for the individual, Dr Srikanth explains, manifesting as anxiety, lowered self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. The partner may also experience emotional distress, feeling undesired or frustrated, which can further strain the relationship.

He adds, “Addressing this condition effectively requires interventions that consider the relationship dynamics. Therapy focused on improving communication about sexual needs and preferences, and building intimacy without pressure for performance, is crucial.”

Effective medical treatments or therapies available to address relative impotency

According to Dr Srikanth, those facing such issues can opt for the following treatments:

Psychological Interventions: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and couples’ therapy are effective in addressing the underlying psychological causes of relative impotency. These therapies help in reshaping cognitive responses and improving communication between partners.

Pharmacotherapy: PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil or tadalafil are used to facilitate erections by enhancing the nitric oxide pathways that increase blood flow to the penis. The success of pharmacological treatment can be limited by psychological factors, and is often more effective when combined with psychological counseling.

“The effectiveness of treatment varies, with integrated approaches combining psychological and medical interventions showing higher efficacy. Success is also heavily dependent on individual patient factors and the nature of the underlying cause,” he informs.

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