ED becomes more common as you get older. But male sexual dysfunction is not a natural part of aging.
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.
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 also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease down the road.
Symptoms
Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent:
- Trouble getting an erection
- Trouble keeping an erection
- Reduced sexual desire
When to see a doctor
A family doctor is a good place to start when you have erectile problems. See your doctor if:
- You have concerns about your erections or you’re experiencing other sexual problems, including ejaculatory dysfunction, such as premature or delayed ejaculation
- You have diabetes, heart disease or another known health condition that might be linked to erectile dysfunction
- You have other symptoms along with erectile dysfunction
How Erections Work
When you are not sexually aroused, your penis is soft and limp. During sexual arousal, nerve messages release chemicals that increase blood flow into the penis. The blood flows into 2 erection chambers made of spongy tissue (the corpus cavernosum) in the penis. The «smooth muscle» in the erection chambers relaxes, which lets blood enter and stay in the chambers. The pressure of the blood in the chambers makes the penis firm, giving you an erection. After you have an orgasm, the blood flows out of the chambers and the erection goes away.
ED can result from health or emotional problems or from both. Lower blood flow or harm to nerves in the penis can lead to erection problems.
Physical Causes of ED
Some things that can increase the chances of getting ED (known as risk factors) are:
- Age over 50
- High blood sugar (diabetes)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Cardiovascular disease
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
Even though ED becomes more common as men age, growing old is not the cause of the problem. ED can be an early sign of a more serious health problem. Finding and treating the cause(s) of your ED can improve your overall health and well-being.
ED may happen because:
- Not enough blood flows into the penis
Many health issues can reduce blood flow into the penis, such as heart disease, high blood sugar (diabetes), and smoking. - The penis cannot store blood during an erection
A man with this problem cannot keep an erection because blood does not stay trapped in the penis. This condition can occur in men of any age. - Nerve signals from the brain or spinal cord do not reach the penis
Certain diseases, injury or surgery in the pelvic area can harm nerves in the penis.
Emotional Causes of ED
Sex activity needs the mind and body to work together. Emotional or relationship problems can cause or worsen ED.
Some emotional issues that can cause ED are:
- Depression
- Relationship conflicts
- Stress at home or work
- Worry about sexual performance
