About Erectile Dysfunction

If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), you are not alone. In fact, about 10% of men have ED.

When a man has ED, he is "impotent." He cannot get a firm erection or keep his penis erect during intercourse. There are some common causes of erectile dysfunction. There are also some common diseases (such as diabetes, heart disease, and prostate cancer) that are associated with ED or have treatments that may cause impotence. In some cases the cause may be psychological.

Doctors today, particularly urologists, can successfully treat almost every case of impotence. One or more of a variety of treatments can help a man get a firm erection and keep it throughout sexual intercourse.

Click the links on this page to learn more about the prevalence of ED, its progression, how various treatments can improve your quality of life, and more.

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Erectile Dysfunction Self-Evaluation

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also called impotence. When you have ED, you cannot get or maintain an erection that is hard enough for sexual intercourse.

Most impotence has a physical cause. Sometimes the cause is psychological or unknown. The lack of sexual drive is sometimes-but rarely-a cause.

Whether in the mind or the body, the cause of ED prevents or reduces blood flow or nerve impulses to your penis. In almost all cases, an experienced physician can successfully treat impotence.

ED treatments include drugs, penile implants, vascular surgery, counseling, injections, urethral suppositories, and vacuum devices. Each has advantages and disadvantages you will want to know about.

Most men begin treatment for erectile dysfunction with Viagra. This drug stimulates blood flow to your penis. Unfortunately, 30% to 40% of men cannot tolerate Viagra or it fails to help.

Other treatments have varying degrees of success. An implant often is the best alternative when Viagra or other treatments do not work.

The best treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on many things. These include a man's health and personal and physical tolerance for the treatment. It is important to work with your doctor (usually a urologist specializing in the treatment of ED) and your partner to determine the best treatment.

The following self-evaluation can help you decide if you need to see a doctor. If you answer "yes" to any of the 6 self-evaluation questions, see a urologist soon.



Find a urologist who specializes in treating impotence. Share your self-evaluation with the doctor. Your answers to the questions that your doctor may ask (list follows self-evaluation) will aid your diagnosis.

You do not have to live with erectile dysfunction. Seek a specialist and get medical help. The sooner you do, the sooner you will find an effective treatment and be able to return to a healthy sex life.

SELF-EVALUATION QUESTIONS

Current Sexual Performance

  1. Have you recently found it difficult to get an erection?
  2. Does the problem happen at least three out of four times that you try intercourse?
  3. Have you been having trouble getting erections for more than one month?

Sexual Performance Trends

  1. Are your spontaneous and morning erections becoming less common?
  2. Does it take much longer to get an erection than in the past?
  3. Is intercourse now more difficult in certain sexual positions?
Remember: if you answer "yes" to any of the questions above, see a urologist soon.



QUESTIONS YOUR DOCTOR MAY ASK

  1. Have you ever had any form of heart disease, especially:

    • Hardening of the arteries?
    • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
    • Hypertension?

  2. Have you ever had surgery for heart disease or other cardiovascular problems?

  3. Have you ever had high cholesterol?

  4. Do you ever have serious pain in your legs when you walk?

  5. Do you take any kind of drug for a cardiovascular problem, especially hypertension?
    (Note: Never change your prescription medication or dosage without talking to your doctor.)

  6. Are you taking prescription drugs for any other problem?

  7. Do you have any glandular disorder, especially diabetes?

  8. Do you have any neurological disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy?

  9. Are you taking prescription drugs for any other problem?

  10. Have you ever had an injury to your pelvis, back, spinal cord or head?

  11. Have you ever had radiation therapy in your pelvic area?

  12. Have you ever had priapism (a persistent, painful erection)?

  13. Do you smoke? Did you once smoke for a long time?

  14. Do you drink heavily? Have you been diagnosed as an alcoholic?

  15. Do you often use non-prescription drugs?

  16. Are you greatly overweight?