A concerned older man in bed looking away from his partner

Condition

Erectile Dysfunction

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Erectile Dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, occurs when you struggle to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough to have sex. It’s estimated that more than 50% of men over the age of 40 have some degree of ED.1

Living with erectile dysfunction

It’s not uncommon to experience erection problems from time to time. However, if you regularly struggle to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for you to have sex, you could have erectile dysfunction.

Impotence can occur for many reasons, and finding the cause is the first step toward finding an impotence treatment option that works for you.

Most common symptoms of erectile dysfunction

Your erection is not firm or hard enough for you to have sexual intercourse or you can not get an erection at all.

The psychological impact of erectile dysfunction can mean that you feel less like initiating moments of passion or intimacy in your relationship.

Unsurprisingly, erectile dysfunction can also lead to other negative psychological effects such as loss of self-confidence, low mood, anxiety, and even depression.

What’s your erectile dysfunction score?

Find out how severe your erectile dysfunction is with this 5-minute online test.

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Most common causes of erectile dysfunction

There are many potential causes of erectile dysfunction. Here are some of the most common. 

Diabetes (and carrying excess weight)

Sexual (and urological) conditions can sometimes occur as a result of damage to blood vessels and nerves caused by diabetes. Research suggests that erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator of diabetes, particularly in men aged 45 and younger.

Cardiovascular diseases

Erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator of cardiovascular disease. People with conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction.

Prostate cancer

Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of some types of prostate cancer treatment and therefore is a big concern for patients. With the advent of nerve-sparing prostate cancer procedures, some men may regain their existing erectile function. The journey is different for every man though, and some may not recover their ability to have a natural erection.

Peyronie’s disease

Erectile dysfunction is common among men with Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease is characterized by penile pain, curvature, and/or deformity of the penis. Approximately 75% of men with the disease will also experience erectile dysfunction.2

Medications and drug use

Some medications and other drugs increase your risk of developing erectile dysfunction, including those taken for cardiovascular diseases and depression.

Lifestyle choices

Regular or excessive alcohol consumption can play a significant role in the likelihood of experiencing episodes of erectile dysfunction. Similarly, lack of sleep, poor diet, and not enough exercise affect erectile function.

Treatments for erectile dysfunction

Find the right treatment for you

With a range of solutions to choose from, you can find a treatment for erectile dysfunction that suits your needs.

Show me erectile dysfunction treatments
A physician explains unrinary incontinance to her elderly patients

Find an erectile dysfunction specialist near you

Talk to your urologist about the different impotence treatments for erectile dysfunction. They will be able to explain the treatment options to you and help you make an informed decision about your care.

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Frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction

Many men dislike talking about erectile dysfunction. Despite this taboo, it’s quite common. One study estimated that more than 50% of men over the age of 40 have some degree of ED.1  

Erections happen when impulses from the brain and nerves cause the muscles of penis to relax, enabling blood to flood the arteries and create pressure that causes the penis to harden and expand. Erections end when the muscles in the penis contract, stopping blood from flowing in and opening veins so that the blood can flow back out into the rest of the body. Disruption of any part of this process can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Your urologist will ask you about your medical and sexual history. Following this consultation, they may order additional tests to identify the cause of your erectile dysfunction and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your needs.

The risk of developing erectile dysfunction is twice as high in patients with an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic enlargement or BPE).3 Erectile dysfunction is also a known side effect of some treatments for BPE, so if you are undergoing BPE treatment, you may be more likely to experience episodes of impotence.

Surgical treatments for erectile dysfunction are an option, but oral medications are a common first step. These medications don’t work for everyone so, if you don’t respond to oral medications, your urologist may recommend other impotence treatment options such as pump devices, injections, and penile implants. Find out more about penile implants.

Living with erectile dysfunction

Find out what it’s like to live with erectile dysfunction. 

Erectile dysfunction treatment

This video looks at what’s involved in penile implant treatment for erectile dysfunction, so you know what to expect.

View more videos

Don’t know how to talk to your partner about erectile dysfunction?

We know that, for some people, talking about sex and intimacy can be difficult. Here are some helpful approaches you can use to start a conversation about erectile dysfunction:

  • “Can we talk about our sex life?”
  • “I’m having some issues with intimacy, and I could use your support” 
  • “I’ve been struggling with something, and it would be great if we could talk about it”
A physician explains unrinary incontinance to her elderly patients

A deep dive into erectile dysfunction​

Despite being a common health problem, erectile dysfunction is still a taboo conversation topic for many men. Find out more about the causes of erectile dysfunction, and the treatments that are available in our comprehensive brochure.

Download the brochure

References:

  1. Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, Krane RJ, McKinlay JB. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994;151:54–61.
  2. Kirby EW, Verges D, Matthews J, Carson CC, Coward RM. Low Testosterone Has a Similar Prevalence among Men with Sexual Dysfunction Due to Either Peyronie’s Disease or Erectile Dysfunction and Does Not Correlate with Peyronie’s Disease Severity. The journal of sexual medicine. 2015;12(3):690–696. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12805.
  3. Braun, M. H., Sommer, F., Haupt, G., Mathers, M. J., Reifenrath, B., & Engelmann, U. H. (2003). Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction: Co-Morbidity or Typical “Aging Male” Symptoms? Results of the “Cologne Male Survey.” European Urology, 44(5), 588–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0302-2838(03)00358-0

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