“Having erection trouble from time to time
isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction
is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
  • Impotence
  • Male Impotence

Definition

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

DotS the definition of ED may vary. In Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex”.2

Symptoms

What are symptoms of ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction the (Australian) HealthDirect note:

“Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include:

  • Difficulty getting an erection
  • Difficulty keeping an erection
  • Difficulty engaging in sexual intercourse, due to your penis not being hard enough”.3

Common or Not

How common is ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Overview – How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction? according to the (United States) Cleveland Clinic:

“Erectile dysfunction is the most common sex-related condition that men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) report to healthcare providers, especially as they age and develop other health issues”.4

In Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): About Erectile Dysfunction according to the (Scottish) NHS Inform:

“Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, 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”.5

In Erectile Dysfunction: Key Facts according to the (Australian) HealthDirect:

  • “Erectile dysfunction is very common, affecting up to 2 in 3 males over age 45 years”.6

Concern or Not

Is ED a concern?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Having erection trouble from time to time isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease”.7

Cause

What causes ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Causes [+ Images] the Mayo Clinic elaborate on physical causes, psychological causes and risk factors and also note:

“Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction”.8

On page one in Hormones and Erectile Dysfunction: What You Need To Know – Causes the (United States) Endocrine Society explain:

“The most common causes of ED are underlying health problems that affect blood vessels and blood flow in the penis. These include hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), diabetes, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol”.9

Cause: Medicines and Drugs

Can some medicines and drugs cause ED?

In Drugs That May Cause Erection Problems, review date 01 January 2023, the (United States) MedlinePlus list “some medicines and drugs that may cause impotence in men”.

Treatment

How is ED treated?

In Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction the NHS elaborate on:

“Treatment can usually help improve erectile dysfunction.

  • Medicines for erectile dysfunction…
  • Vacuum pumps…
  • Treating the cause of erectile dysfunction…
  • Finding private counsellors or sex therapists…”.10

Oral Medicines

What are oral medicines for ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications, dated 24 June 2023, the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Medicines that you take by mouth are called oral medicines. They’re often the first line of treatment for trouble getting or keeping an erection, called erectile dysfunction (ED). Oral medicines for ED usually work well and cause few side effects”.11

Sexual Health and Erectile DysfunctionMain Oral Medicines

What are the four main oral medicines for ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“The four main medicines taken by mouth for erectile dysfunction are:

  • Avanafil (Stendra)
  • Sildenafil (Viagra)
  • Tadalafil (Cialis)
  • Vardenafil.

These medicines are called PDE5 inhibitors. They enhance the effects of a chemical the body makes that relaxes muscles in the penis, called nitric oxide. This boosts blood flow and helps you get an erection from sexual activity”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have ED or I think my partner has ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosis & Treatment — Treatment the Mayo Clinic explain:

“The first thing your doctor will do is to make sure you’re getting the right treatment for any health conditions that could be causing or worsening your erectile dysfunction.

Depending on the cause and severity of your erectile dysfunction and any underlying health conditions, you might have various treatment options. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and will consider your preferences. Your partner’s preferences also might play a role in your treatment choices”.13

Health Topics A-Z

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In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction?

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 29 March 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 22 April 2024
  2. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 29 March 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 22 April 2024
  3. Erectile Dysfunction: What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: March 2023. HealthDirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 22 April 2024
  4. Erectile Dysfunction: Overview – How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: 28 August 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 22 April 2024
  5. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): About Erectile Dysfunction. Last Updated: 10 February 2023. NHS Inform https://nhsinform-n1.azurewebsites.net/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/erectile-dysfunction-impotence/ Accessed: 22 April 2024
  6. Erectile Dysfunction: What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: March 2023. HealthDirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 22 April 2024
  7. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 29 March 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 22 April 2024
  8. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 29 March 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 22 April 2024
  9. Hormones and Erectile Dysfunction: What You Need To Know – Causes. 17 February 2022. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/-/media/endocrine/files/patient-engagement/hormones-and-series/hormones_and_erectile_dysfunction_what_you_need_to_know.pdf Accessed: 22 April 2024
  10. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction. Page Last Reviewed: 28 July 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/#treatment Accessed: 22 April 2024
  11. Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications. 24 June 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821 Accessed: 22 April 2024
  12. Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications. 24 June 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821 Accessed: 22 April 2024
  13. Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosis & Treatment — Treatment. 29 March 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355782 Accessed: 22 April 2024
Topic Last Updated: 22 April 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 April 2024

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