Erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction)
- Article
- 2021-03-02
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition where you cannot get or keep an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse. ED can be a short or long term problem. You have ED if you
- can sometimes get an erection, but not every time you want to have sex
- can get an erection, but it doesn't last long enough for satisfying or satisfying sex
- not being able to get an erection at any time
Healthcare professionals, such as primary care providers and urologists, can often treat ED. While ED is very common, it is not a normal part of aging. Talk to a health care provider if you have ED symptoms. ED can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
You may find it embarrassing and difficult to talk to a healthcare provider about ED. However, remember that a healthy sex life can improve your quality of life and is part of a healthy life in general. Healthcare professionals, especially urologists, are trained to talk to people about all kinds of sexual problems.
Does Erectile Dysfunction Have Another Name?
ED is sometimes referred to as impotence, but health care providers are now using this term less often, so it won't be confused with other, non-medical meanings of the word.
How Common Are Erectile Dysfunction?
ED is very common. It affects about 30 million men in the United States. 1
Who is more likely to develop erectile dysfunction?
You are more likely to develop ED if you have
- are older
- have certain illnesses or conditions
- taking certain medications
- have certain psychological or emotional problems
- exhibiting certain health-related factors or behaviors, such as being overweight or smoking
Learn how certain factors can cause or contribute to ED.
What Are the Complications of Erectile Dysfunction?
Complications from ED can include:
- an unfulfilled sex life
- a loss of intimacy between you and a partner, resulting in a tense relationship
- depression NIH link external , anxiety NIH link external and low self-esteem
- inability to get a partner pregnant
Depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem can also contribute to ED, causing a cycle of health problems.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ED include
- sometimes get an erection, but not every time you want to have sex
- get an erection, but not have it long enough for sex
- not being able to get an erection at any time
ED is often a symptom of another health problem or a health-related factor.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Many different factors affecting your vascular system NIH external link , nervous system NIH external link , and the endocrine system can cause or contribute to ED.
While you are more likely to develop ED as you age, aging does not cause ED. ED can be treated at any age.
Certain illnesses and conditions
The following diseases and conditions can lead to ED:
- type 2 diabetes
- cardiovascular disease NIH link is external
- atherosclerosis
- high bloodpressure
- chronic kidney disease
- multiple sclerosis NIH link is external
- Peyronie's disease
- injuries from treatments for prostate cancer NIH external link , including radiation therapy and prostate surgery
- injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder or pelvis
- surgery for bladder cancer NIH link is external
Men with diabetes are two to three times more likely to develop ED than men who do not have diabetes. Find out more about diabetes and sexual and urological problems.
Taking certain medications
ED can be a side effect of many common medications, such as
- blood pressure medications NIH externe link
- antiandrogens - drugs used to treat prostate cancer NIH link is external
- antidepressants NIH link is external
- prescription tranquilizers or sedatives - medicines that make you feel more relaxed or sleepy
- appetite suppressants or medicines that make you less hungry
- peptic ulcer medications
View a list of specific medications that can cause the external link ED NIH.
Certain psychological or emotional problems
Psychological or emotional factors can make ED worse. You can get ED if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- fear of sexual failure
- fear NIH link external
- depression NIH link is external
- feelings of guilt about sexual performance or certain sexual activities
- low self-esteem
- stress - about sexual performance, or stress in your life in general
Certain health-related factors and behaviors
The following health-related factors and behaviors can contribute to ED:
- to smoke
- drinking too much alcohol
- using illegal drugs
- are overweight
- not being physically active
Therapy
You can work with a health care provider to treat an underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED). Choosing ED treatment is a personal decision. However, you may also benefit from talking to your partner about which treatment is best for you as a couple.
Lifestyle changes
Your healthcare provider may recommend making lifestyle changes to help reduce or improve ED. You can
- stop smoking External link
- limit or stop alcohol External link NIH
- increase physical activity and maintain a healthy body weight
- stop illegal drug use NIH link external
You can seek help from a health professional if you are having trouble making these changes yourself.
Go to counseling
Talk to your doctor about seeing a counselor if psychological or emotional issues are affecting your ED. A counselor can teach you how to reduce your anxiety, external link, or stress related to sex. Your counselor may recommend that you take your partner to counseling sessions to learn how to support you. While you are working to relieve your anxiety or stress, a doctor can focus on treating the physical causes of ED.
How Do Doctors Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
Change your medications
If a medicine you need for another health condition is causing ED, your doctor may suggest a different dose or medicine. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor. Learn which medications make you more likely to get ED.
Prescribe medicines that you take by mouth
A healthcare provider may prescribe an oral medicine or medicine that you take by mouth, such as one of the following medicines, to help you get and keep an erection:
- sildenafil NIH link is external (Viagra)
- vardenafil NIH link is external (Levitra, Staxyn)
- tadalafil NIH link external (Cialis)
- avanafil NIH link is external (Stendra)
All of these drugs work by relaxing smooth muscles and increasing blood flow in the penis during sexual stimulation. You shouldn't take any of these drugs to treat ED if you're taking nitrates to treat heart disease. Nitrates dilate and relax your blood vessels. The combination could cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, which could make you faint, dizzy, or fall, which could lead to possible injury.
Also, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking alpha blockers to treat prostate enlargement. The combination of alpha blockers and ED drugs can also cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.
A health care professional may prescribe testosterone NIH if you have low levels of this hormone in you
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