What is erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the most common sex problem that men report to their doctor. It affects as many as 30 million men. ED is defined as trouble getting or keeping an erection that's firm enough for sex. Though it's not rare for a man to have some problems with erections from time to time, ED that is progressive or happens routinely with sex is not normal, and it should be treated. ED can happen: • Most often when blood flow in the penis is limited or nerves are harmed • With stress or emotional reasons • As an early warning of a more serious illness, like: atherosclerosis (hardening or blocked arteries), heart disease, high blood pressure or high blood sugar from Diabetes Finding the cause(s) of your ED will help treat the problem and help with your overall well-being. As a rule, what's good for your heart health is good for your sex health. How Erections Work Diagram of How Erections Work Enlarge During erection, the spongy tissues relax and trap blood. The blood pressure in the chambers makes the penis firm, causing an erection. When a man has an orgasm, a second set of nerve signals reach the penis and cause the muscular tissues in the penis to contract and blood is released back into a man's circulation and the erection comes down. When you are not sexually aroused, the penis is soft and limp. Men may notice that the size of the penis varies with warmth, cold or worry; this is normal and reflects the balance of blood coming into and leaving the penis. Updat...

Not all men can safely take erectile dysfunction oral medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), tadalafil (Cialis) and avanafil (Stendra). Medications for erectile dysfunction might not work or might be dangerous if you: • Take nitrate drugs commonly prescribed for chest pain (angina) • Have very low blood pressure (hypotension) or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) • Have severe liver disease • Have kidney disease that requires dialysis Nonoral medications for erectile dysfunction include: • Self-injections. Several medications are commonly injected directly into the penis to achieve an erection. The most often used medications include alprostadil, papaverine, and phentolamine. With this method, you use a fine needle to inject the medications into the base or side of your penis. The goal of injection therapies is to produce an erection that lasts about 20 to 40 minutes. If an erection lasts longer than one hour, you will need to have the medication or dose adjusted to avoid potentially long-term complications. Because the needle used is very fine, pain from the injection site is usually minor. Side effects can include bleeding from the injection, prolonged erection (priapism) and formation of fibrous tissue within the penis or at the injection site. • Alprostadil urethral suppository. Alprostadil intraurethral (Muse) therapy involves placing a tiny alprostadil suppository inside your penis in the penile urethra. You use a special...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It’s sometimes referred to as “impotence,” but this term is now used less often. ED may be occasional or frequent: • Occasional ED isn’t uncommon. Many people experience it during times of stress or as the result of a recent nutritional or lifestyle change. • Frequent ED, however, can be a sign of health problems that need treatment. It can also be a symptom of emotional or relationship difficulties that you may want to address with a professional. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, The prevalence of ED increases with age. The University of Wisconsin estimates that mild or moderate ED affects However, ED can also occur among Although the risk of ED increases with age, ED isn’t inevitable. In general, the healthier you are, the better your sexual function. If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to There are many possible causes of ED, and they can include both emotional and physical conditions. Common physical causes include: • • • • • • • • • increased age • relationship problems • certain prescription medications, such as those used to treat • • • consuming too much • • • using • • • damage to the pelvic area through injury or surgery • Common emotional causes include: • • • • • relationship problems ED can be caused by only one of these factors or by several of them. That’s why it’s important to work with your ...

ED can have a profound effect on a person's self-image and undermine both their confidence and relationships. While ED tends to be chronic and progressive due to natural changes in an aging body, many cases are temporary. Whatever the situation, there are treatments that can help, including medications, lifestyle changes, devices, therapy, and even surgery. There are several reasons for this. Levels of testosterone (a hormone that influences sexual function in males) naturally decline with age, along with the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves that facilitate erections. Also, many diseases common in older people can undermine how these muscles, blood vessels, and nerves work. • • • Low self-esteem, including poor body image or • Relationship issues, including a fear of commitment, a loss of attraction, and the desire to avoid pregnancy • Feelings of guilt related to past performance or infidelity • Cultural or religious beliefs that promote feelings of inadequacy, shame, or guilt • Sexual trauma, including a history of sexual abuse or violence The duration of an erection can vary by a person's age, but most studies suggest that a healthy young person can sustain an erection for around 30 minutes with a rigidity of roughly 70%. Talking With a Healthcare Provider About ED You may find it embarrassing to speak with a healthcare provider about ED, but doing so can improve both your sex life and quality of life. If you feel awkward talking to your primary care provider, meet wi...

Ridofranz / iStock / Getty Images Plus How Erections Occur With erectile dysfunction (ED), it is hard for a person to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sex. The ability to develop and maintain an erection is largely governed by sexual arousal, a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Physical or psychological factors can impact sexual function, desire, and arousal, all of which can cause ED. • You are getting older. Some people simply lose the ability to maintain an erection because testosterone levels decrease with age. • You have a condition that hinders blood from entering the penis, like atherosclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, or tobacco use (smoking). • Damage to the penis (such as trauma or pelvic surgery) does not allow it to trap blood during an erection. • Damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord, such as nerve damage from a • Injury to the penis during surgery or radiation, especially during treatment of prostate, colon-rectal, or bladder cancer, hinders your ability to get and maintain an erection. • Side effects of cancer chemotherapy or cancer treatment near the pelvis can affect the penis's functionality. • Side effects of medications used to treat other health problems negatively impact erections. • Obesity • Metabolic syndrome • Parkinson's disease • Drug use. • Peyronie's disease, which causes scar tissue to develop inside the penis • Alcoholism • Obstructive sleep apnea a...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disorder reported among assigned males at birth, characterized by an inability to achieve or maintain an erection. Though you can be affected at any age, ED risk rises with older age, and it can be the result of certain diseases, medication side effects, mental health issues, as well as lifestyle factors. It’s currently estimated that 12 million in the U.S. experience this condition. You may have ED if you are unable to achieve an erection when you want to have sex, are unable to maintain one long enough to complete the act, or are never able to have an erection. This issue can be short-term or long-term. Treatment options vary based on the individual case and can include everything from lifestyle changes to medications. Fortunately, ED can mostly be effectively managed with medical help. Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms ED most often arises as a symptom of other conditions or diseases, due to certain individual behaviors, or as a side-effect of medications. An issue that can be more short-term or chronic, there’s no established duration of time that defines ED. That said, some physicians consider you to have it if the symptoms persist for at least six months. • You are entirely unable to ever achieve an erection. • You can achieve an erection but are unable to sustain it long enough to have sex. • You are sometimes or always unable to achieve an erection when you are sexually aroused. • You have “soft” erections, in which the peni...

Overview If you can't get or keep an erection firm enough for sex, it means you have a condition called erectile dysfunction (ED). A penis pump is one of a few treatment choices that might help. It's a device made of these parts: • A plastic tube that fits over the penis. • Hand or battery-powered pump attached to the tube. • Band that fits around the base of the penis once it is erect, called a tension ring. Battery-powered penis pump for erectile dysfunction A penis pump is used to draw blood into the penis to create an erection. You then place a rubber ring around the base of the penis to maintain the erection. Erectile dysfunction is a common problem. It's especially an issue after prostate surgery and in older men. Health care providers have a few ways to treat ED, though. Prescription drugs that you can take by mouth include: • Sildenafil (Viagra) • Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca) • Avanafil (Stendra) Other ED treatments include: • Medicines inserted through the tip of your penis. These drugs go into the tube inside the penis that carries urine and semen, called the urethra. • Shots you inject into your penis, called penile injections. • Devices placed into the penis during surgery, called penile implants. A penis pump might be a good choice if an ED medicine that you take by mouth causes side effects, doesn't work or isn't safe for you. A pump might also be the right choice if you don't want to try the other treatments. Penis pumps can be a good ED treatment because the...