Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. ED affects as many as 30 million men in the United States.
Common causes of ED include:
- Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, nervous system conditions, obesity, and high blood pressure
- Medications like blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, tranquilizers
- Emotional issues like stress, fatigue, relationship conflicts
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise
- Injuries and surgical complications
Symptoms can range from occasional trouble getting an erection to complete inability to get an erection. Some key signs include:
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Reduced sexual desire
- Premature ejaculation
- Inability to reach orgasm
- Pain during sexual intercourse
Treatments depend on the underlying cause but can include:
- Oral medications like sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) to help increase blood flow to the penis
- Testosterone replacement therapy if low testosterone levels are causing ED
- Counseling and lifestyle changes to reduce stress or improve diet/exercise
- Penis pumps, implants or injections in more severe cases
The good news is ED is often treatable through medication, counseling, and lifestyle adjustments.
It's important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing erectile problems, as they can assess root causes and provide professional treatment recommendations. Catching and addressing ED early on can help restore sexual function and satisfaction.
I aimed to provide an informative overview of erectile dysfunction, including common causes, symptoms and treatment options. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.