At some stage in their life, most men have an occasional episode of a problem getting and keeping an erection. It’s usually nothing to worry about and is often a result of:
- stress
- tiredness
- anxiety
- drinking too much alcohol
However, if you frequently have erection problems, you could have erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence.
What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?
ED is a regular inability to get and keep an erection. It may happen only in some situations, for example, you may be able to get an erection when masturbating, but can’t keep an erection when you’re with your partner.
Who gets erectile dysfunction?
ED can affect men at any age, but is more common as men get older. It’s estimated that half of all men aged 40-70 have some degree of ED.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
ED can have physical and psychological causes, and can sometimes be a combination of both.
Examples of physical causes include:
Examples of psychological causes include:
It’s thought that most cases of ED have physical causes. However, many men with ED can feel stressed or anxious about their condition, which can make it worse.
ED can also be a side effect of some medication.
Read more information about the causes of ED, including medicines that can cause ED as a side effect and factors that increase your risk of ED.
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
Treatment for ED depends on what’s causing it.
If ED is caused by a medical condition, such as those mentioned above, treating this condition may resolve the problem.
Symptoms of ED can often be improved by making lifestyle changes, such as:
Read more information about treatment for erectile dysfunction, including side effects and warnings.
When to get medical advice
If you think you have symptoms of ED, it’s important to see your GP or go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic so they can assess whether you need any treatment. If you find talking about it embarrassing, remember that doctors are used to dealing with problems like this.
It’s important to identify the cause of your symptoms because erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of another condition, such as cardiovascular disease.
Read the answers to more questions about men’s health.
Further information:
