Erectile disfunction
Erectile disfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get and then maintain an erection.
Why is this important?
Erectile disfunction can be a sign of more serious health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, or a result of a mental health condition, such as depression.
Who does it affect?
Erectile disfunction is a very common problem, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree.
What does this mean for me?
Sometimes erectile disfunction only occurs in certain situations. For example, you may be able to get an erection during masturbation, or you may find that you sometimes wake up with an erection but you are unable to get an erection with your sexual partner. If this is the case, it is likely the underlying cause of erectile disfunction is psychological or stress related.
If you are unable to get an erection under any circumstances, it is likely that the underlying cause is physical.
If you have erectile disfunction for more than a few weeks, it is important to visit a sexual health clinic or see your GP.
Why does it happen?
When a man becomes sexually aroused, his brain sends signals to the nerves in his penis. The nerves increase the blood flow to the penis, causing the tissue to expand and harden. Anything that interferes with the nervous system or the blood circulation could lead to erectile disfunction.
There are many reasons for erectile disfunction so your clinician will talk to you about your lifestyle to determine the cause of the problem.
Physical causes of ED include:
- narrowing of the blood vessels going to the penis - commonly associated with high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol or diabetes
- hormonal problems, such as an overactive thyroid
- surgery or spinal injury
- conditions that affects the body’s movement, such as Parkinson’s disease
- erectile disfunction can also be a side-effect of using certain medicines.
Psychological causes of ED include:
- anxiety
- depression
- relationship problems.
Treatment
Erectile disfunction can be treated by tackling the cause of the problem.
The narrowing of blood vessels is one of the most common causes. In these cases, your clinician may suggest lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, to try to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. This may help to relieve your symptoms as well as improving your general health. You may also be given medication to reduce your blood pressure.
Medication, such as Viagra, can be used to manage erectile disfunction in at least two-thirds of cases. Vacuum pumps that encourage blood to flow to the penis and cause an erection are also successful in 90% of cases.
Psychological treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and sex therapy. Read more in our Questions section.
Overall, treatments for erectile disfunction have improved significantly in recent years.
More support
Get tested
If you have erectile disfunction for more than a few weeks, you can visit a sexual health clinic or your GP to get help. A clinician will ask you about your lifestyle and sexual history to assess your general state of health. The clinician may then physically examine you, check your blood pressure and take a blood sample.