Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can affect more than 50% of men over the age of 40. Learn how to manage and prevent this common condition.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction means not being able to get and keep an erection that is firm enough to have sex. When it only happens occasionally, it is not a cause for concern. But when erectile dysfunction happens often, it can be stressful and affect your confidence, relationships, and sexual activity.
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
- Not being able to get an erection
- Being unable to keep an erection when you have sex
- Needing a lot of stimulation to keep an erection
- Loss of interest in sex
What causes erectile dysfunction?
There are many common physical health conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction. Some of them include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Low levels of testosterone
- Prostate cancer treatment
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Tobacco use
- Some prescription medications
Your mental health can also affect your ability to maintain an erection. Depression, anxiety, and ongoing stress can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.
How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your sexual activity and symptoms. They may do blood tests to look for underlying conditions that may be causing your erectile dysfunction.
What is the treatment for erectile dysfunction?
The treatment for erectile dysfunction will vary based on the underlying cause. Sometimes treatment can include changes to your lifestyle, such as exercising more, quitting smoking, or talking to a mental health professional. Other treatments can include medications that increase blood flow to your penis, penis pumps, or testosterone replacement therapy.
How can I prevent erectile dysfunction?
Talk with your health care provider about managing any underlying health issues that may be causing your erectile dysfunction such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Getting regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing your stress levels, and getting mental health care for anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns can also help prevent erectile dysfunction.
Looking for sexual health services?
Find low- to no-cost sexual health services near you, like PrEP, STI testing, and more on the Service Locator Map.
Is PrEP right for you?
PrEP is a medication that helps prevent HIV. Take a short quiz to find out if it may be right for you.