What is erectile dysfunction disorder

Food and Drug Administration. Burnett AL, et al. Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline. The Journal of Urology. Wecker L, et al. Drug therapy for myocardial ischemia and angina pectoris.

Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Warner K. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Silva AB, et al. Physical activity and exercise for erectile dysfunction: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Allen MS. Physical activity as an adjunct treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Nature Reviews Urology. Related Erectile dysfunction and diabetes Erectile dysfunction dietary supplements Erectile dysfunction medications Erectile dysfunction treatment: How can your partner help? Many different factors affecting your vascular system , nervous system , and endocrine system can cause or contribute to ED. Although you are more likely to develop ED as you age, aging does not cause ED.

ED can be treated at any age. Physical causes account for 90 percent of ED cases, with psychological causes much less common. Psychological factors can cause or contribute to ED, with factors ranging from treatable mental health illnesses to everyday emotional states that most people experience at some time.

These are less common than physical causes, however. A person may also be unable to attain a full erection due to specific sexual performance anxiety, a common psychological factor in people with ED. It is also important to note that there can be an overlap between medical and psychosocial causes. However, the person may also have low self-esteem, impacting erectile function, which is a psychosocial cause.

A study found no link between riding a bike and ED, but it found an association between longer hours of cycling and the risk of prostate cancer. However, a further study published in found no correlation between cycling and ED or prostate cancer.

The association between cycling and prostate cancer remains controversial and requires more research. Some medications for prostate cancer may also result in ED. Research has shown that the medication finasteride may cause sexual dysfunction in men. The good news is that there are many treatments for ED, and most people will find a solution that works for them. Most of these pills are taken 30 to 60 minutes before sex, the best known being the blue-colored pill sildenafil Viagra.

Other options are:. PDE-5 inhibitors are only available by prescription. A doctor will check for heart conditions and ask about other medications a person is taking before prescribing them. Less commonly used drug options include prostaglandin E1, which is applied locally by either injecting it into the penis or inserting it down the opening of the urethra.

It is possible to buy treatments over the internet for ED. However, a person should be cautious when doing so.

Before ordering, a person should check that their online pharmacy is licensed in the U. People can check whether the pharmacy is licensed using the list of Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites. The FDA also offers tips for spotting the dangers of an unsafe website, including watching out for the following:. These illegal sites may send drugs of unknown quality and origin. Emotional Causes of ED Normal sex needs the mind and body working together. Some emotional issues that can cause ED are: Depression Anxiety Relationship conflicts Stress at home or work Stress from social, cultural or religious conflicts Worry about sex performance Updated June Finding the cause of your ED will help direct your treatment options.

Questions about your health: What prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs or supplements do you take? Do you use recreational drugs? Do you smoke? How much alcohol do you drink? Have you had surgery or radiation therapy in the pelvic area? Do you have any urinary problems? Do you have other health problems treated or untreated? Questions About ED Knowing about your history of ED will help your health provider learn if your problems are because of your desire for sex, erection function, ejaculation, or orgasm climax.

Questions about your ED symptoms: How long have you had these symptoms? Did they start slowly or all at once? Do you wake up in the morning or during the night with an erection? If you do have erections, how firm are they? Is penetration difficult? Do your erections change at different times, like when going in a partner, during stimulation by mouth, or with masturbation?

Do you have problems with sex drive or arousal? Do you have problems with ejaculation or orgasm climax? How is this problem changing the way you enjoy sex?

Do you have painful with erections, feel a lump or bump in the penis or have penile curvature? These are signs of Peyronie's Disease which can be treated but calls for an expert in urology to assess and manage. Questions About Stress and Emotional Health Your health care provider may ask you questions about depression or anxiety.

Are you often under a lot of stress, or has something recently upset you? Do you have any anxiety, depression or other mental health issues? Are you taking any drugs for your mental health? How satisfied are you with your sex life?

Has there been any changes lately? How is your relationship with your partner? Physical Exam A physical exam checks your total health. Lab Tests Your health care provider may order blood tests and collect a urine sample to look for health problems that cause ED. Other Tests Questionnaires are often used by health experts to rate your ability to initiate and keep erections, gauge your satisfaction with sex and help identify any problems with orgasm.

Advanced Erectile Function Tests For some men with ED, specialized testing may be needed to guide treatment or re-assess you after a treatment fails. Blood work to check Testosterone and other male hormones Blood work to measure blood sugar Diabetes Ultrasonography penile Doppler to check blood flow A shot into the penis with a vascular stimulant to cause an erection Pelvic x-rays like arteriography, MRI or CT scanning are rarely needed to check ED unless there is history of trauma or cancer Nocturnal penile tumescence NPT , an overnight test to check for sleep erection Updated June Still, it helps to ask your health care provider about side effects that could result from each option: Oral drugs or pills known as phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors are most often prescribed in the U.

Penile vascular surgery is not recommended for older men with hardened arteries. Testosterone Therapy In those rare cases where a low sex drive and low blood levels of Testosterone are at fault for ED, Testosterone Therapy may fix normal erections or help when combined with ED drugs PDE type 5 inhibitors.

Vacuum Erection Device A vacuum erection device is a plastic tube that slips over the penis, making a seal with the skin of the body.

Diagram of a Erectile Dysfunction Vacuum Enlarge. After Treatment. Don't give up! More Information. If I worry about being able to get an erection, can I make a bad condition worse? Can I combine treatment options? I was fine until I began taking this new drug, what should I do? What is ED? What causes ED? Can it be prevented? Can you help me with ED, or do I need to see a specialist? If I need a specialist Urologist , do you have a referral for me? What tests do you suggest to find the cause of my ED, and why?

Can you check my heart and blood health? Are there any lifestyle changes that could help my symptoms? What types of treatments are available? What treatment do you suggest for me and why? What are the pros and cons of each type of treatment you suggest? What are the side effects?