Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a rigid penile erection suitable for satisfactory sexual intercourse.1 It’s estimated that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experience some form of erectile dysfunction, with the prevalence believed to increase by around 10% per decade thereafter.3
A study examining men aged 20 to 75 from eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) revealed that the percentage of men with erectile dysfunction varied from 22% in the United States to 10% in Spain.4
However, current prevalence estimates are likely significant underestimations of the actual figures due to men’s tendency to be hesitant in discussing their sexual health with healthcare professionals.5
Failing to obtain an erection can be an unnerving event. If this happens to you occasionally, it’s likely nothing to worry about, with factors such as stress, tiredness, anxiety, or drinking too much alcohol all influencing the ability to obtain an erection.
However, if this happens persistently, then erectile dysfunction may be the culprit, and you should visit your healthcare professional to help identify the potential causes of your symptoms (through some questionnaires and erectile dysfunction tests), and receive the appropriate treatment.2
Although discussing sexual health concerns may be challenging, healthcare professionals specialising in sexual health view erectile dysfunction as any other health condition and can provide appropriate support. When consulting a healthcare professional about erectile dysfunction, they will typically gather a detailed description of your symptoms, including their duration, presence of risk factors, medication use, and relationship issues, among other relevant factors.
A physical examination and blood tests to measure lipid levels and fasting blood sugar may also be recommended to identify the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction and determine the most suitable treatment options.1
Erectile dysfunction causes are typically categorised as either organic or psychologically induced, also known as psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction result from various abnormalities in the neurologic, hormonal, or vasculature structures.7
One example of an organic cause includes coronary artery disease (CAD), where it’s estimated that nearly 50% of men with proven CAD have severe forms of the condition.8 Some men can present with both organic and psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a rigid penile erection suitable for satisfactory sexual intercourse.1 It’s estimated that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experience some form of erectile dysfunction, with the prevalence believed to increase by around 10% per decade thereafter.3
A study examining men aged 20 to 75 from eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) revealed that the percentage of men with erectile dysfunction varied from 22% in the United States to 10% in Spain.4
However, current prevalence estimates are likely significant underestimations of the actual figures due to men’s tendency to be hesitant in discussing their sexual health with healthcare professionals.5
Failing to obtain an erection can be an unnerving event. If this happens to you occasionally, it’s likely nothing to worry about, with factors such as stress, tiredness, anxiety, or drinking too much alcohol all influencing the ability to obtain an erection.
However, if this happens persistently, then erectile dysfunction may be the culprit, and you should visit your healthcare professional to help identify the potential causes of your symptoms (through some questionnaires and erectile dysfunction tests), and receive the appropriate treatment.2
Although discussing sexual health concerns may be challenging, healthcare professionals specialising in sexual health view erectile dysfunction as any other health condition and can provide appropriate support. When consulting a healthcare professional about erectile dysfunction, they will typically gather a detailed description of your symptoms, including their duration, presence of risk factors, medication use, and relationship issues, among other relevant factors.
A physical examination and blood tests to measure lipid levels and fasting blood sugar may also be recommended to identify the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction and determine the most suitable treatment options.1
Erectile dysfunction causes are typically categorised as either organic or psychologically induced, also known as psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction result from various abnormalities in the neurologic, hormonal, or vasculature structures.7
One example of an organic cause includes coronary artery disease (CAD), where it’s estimated that nearly 50% of men with proven CAD have severe forms of the condition.8 Some men can present with both organic and psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is a reversible condition and you may be wondering which erectile dysfunction drug is best, but if you have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, most treatment starts with lifestyle interventions such as nutrition and exercise to help identify any reversible risk factors. This should also accompany any new medication or talking therapy. Medications to help treat erectile dysfunction include, but not limited to: 1–5
Importantly, the use of medications and talking therapy to treat erectile dysfunction should not be withheld on the basis that lifestyle changes have not been made. Psychosexual therapy, either alone or in conjunction with the couple’s relationship therapy, is also recommended, particularly when there is a psychological cause or influence.1
References: 1. Hackett G, et al. J Seks Med 2018;15(4)430–457. 2. NHS. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/. Date accessed: September 2022. 3. Feldman HA, et al. Journal of Urology 1994;151(1), 54–61. 4. Rosen RC, et al. Curr Med Res Opin 2004;20(5):607–17. 5. Sooriyamoorthy T, Leslie SW. Erectile Dysfunction. [Updated 2022 May 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/?report=classic. 6. Capogrosso P, E. et al. Journal of Sexual Medicine 10(7), 1833–1841. 7. Ludwig W, Phillips M. Urol Int 2013;92(1):1–6. 8. Montorsi F, et al. Eur Urol 2003;44(3):360–4. 9. Patel DV, et al. Br J Radiol 2012 ;85(1):S69–S78. 10. Raymond C, Rosen RC. Urol Clin N Am 2001;28(2)269–278.
Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a rigid penile erection suitable for satisfactory sexual intercourse.1 It’s estimated that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experience some form of erectile dysfunction, with the prevalence believed to increase by around 10% per decade thereafter.3
A study examining men aged 20 to 75 from eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) revealed that the percentage of men with erectile dysfunction varied from 22% in the United States to 10% in Spain.4
However, current prevalence estimates are likely significant underestimations of the actual figures due to men’s tendency to be hesitant in discussing their sexual health with healthcare professionals.5
Failing to obtain an erection can be an unnerving event. If this happens to you occasionally, it’s likely nothing to worry about, with factors such as stress, tiredness, anxiety, or drinking too much alcohol all influencing the ability to obtain an erection.
However, if this happens persistently, then erectile dysfunction may be the culprit, and you should visit your healthcare professional to help identify the potential causes of your symptoms (through some questionnaires and erectile dysfunction tests), and receive the appropriate treatment.2
Although discussing sexual health concerns may be challenging, healthcare professionals specialising in sexual health view erectile dysfunction as any other health condition and can provide appropriate support. When consulting a healthcare professional about erectile dysfunction, they will typically gather a detailed description of your symptoms, including their duration, presence of risk factors, medication use, and relationship issues, among other relevant factors.
A physical examination and blood tests to measure lipid levels and fasting blood sugar may also be recommended to identify the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction and determine the most suitable treatment options.1
Erectile dysfunction causes are typically categorised as either organic or psychologically induced, also known as psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction result from various abnormalities in the neurologic, hormonal, or vasculature structures.7
One example of an organic cause includes coronary artery disease (CAD), where it’s estimated that nearly 50% of men with proven CAD have severe forms of the condition.8 Some men can present with both organic and psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is a reversible condition and you may be wondering which erectile dysfunction drug is best, but if you have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, most treatment starts with lifestyle interventions such as nutrition and exercise to help identify any reversible risk factors. This should also accompany any new medication or talking therapy. Medications to help treat erectile dysfunction include, but not limited to: 1–5
Importantly, the use of medications and talking therapy to treat erectile dysfunction should not be withheld on the basis that lifestyle changes have not been made. Psychosexual therapy, either alone or in conjunction with the couple’s relationship therapy, is also recommended, particularly when there is a psychological cause or influence.1
Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a rigid penile erection suitable for satisfactory sexual intercourse.1 It’s estimated that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experience some form of erectile dysfunction, with the prevalence believed to increase by around 10% per decade thereafter.3
A study examining men aged 20 to 75 from eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) revealed that the percentage of men with erectile dysfunction varied from 22% in the United States to 10% in Spain.4
However, current prevalence estimates are likely significant underestimations of the actual figures due to men’s tendency to be hesitant in discussing their sexual health with healthcare professionals.5
Failing to obtain an erection can be an unnerving event. If this happens to you occasionally, it’s likely nothing to worry about, with factors such as stress, tiredness, anxiety, or drinking too much alcohol all influencing the ability to obtain an erection.
However, if this happens persistently, then erectile dysfunction may be the culprit, and you should visit your healthcare professional to help identify the potential causes of your symptoms (through some questionnaires and erectile dysfunction tests), and receive the appropriate treatment.2
Although discussing sexual health concerns may be challenging, healthcare professionals specialising in sexual health view erectile dysfunction as any other health condition and can provide appropriate support. When consulting a healthcare professional about erectile dysfunction, they will typically gather a detailed description of your symptoms, including their duration, presence of risk factors, medication use, and relationship issues, among other relevant factors.
A physical examination and blood tests to measure lipid levels and fasting blood sugar may also be recommended to identify the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction and determine the most suitable treatment options.1
Erectile dysfunction causes are typically categorised as either organic or psychologically induced, also known as psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction result from various abnormalities in the neurologic, hormonal, or vasculature structures.7
One example of an organic cause includes coronary artery disease (CAD), where it’s estimated that nearly 50% of men with proven CAD have severe forms of the condition.8 Some men can present with both organic and psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is a reversible condition and you may be wondering which erectile dysfunction drug is best, but if you have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, most treatment starts with lifestyle interventions such as nutrition and exercise to help identify any reversible risk factors. This should also accompany any new medication or talking therapy. Medications to help treat erectile dysfunction include, but not limited to: 1–5
Importantly, the use of medications and talking therapy to treat erectile dysfunction should not be withheld on the basis that lifestyle changes have not been made. Psychosexual therapy, either alone or in conjunction with the couple’s relationship therapy, is also recommended, particularly when there is a psychological cause or influence.1
References: 1. Hackett G, et al. J Seks Med 2018;15(4)430–457. 2. NHS. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/. Date accessed: September 2022. 3. Feldman HA, et al. Journal of Urology 1994;151(1), 54–61. 4. Rosen RC, et al. Curr Med Res Opin 2004;20(5):607–17. 5. Sooriyamoorthy T, Leslie SW. Erectile Dysfunction. [Updated 2022 May 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/?report=classic. 6. Capogrosso P, E. et al. Journal of Sexual Medicine 10(7), 1833–1841. 7. Ludwig W, Phillips M. Urol Int 2013;92(1):1–6. 8. Montorsi F, et al. Eur Urol 2003;44(3):360–4. 9. Patel DV, et al. Br J Radiol 2012 ;85(1):S69–S78. 10. Raymond C, Rosen RC. Urol Clin N Am 2001;28(2)269–278.
Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a rigid penile erection suitable for satisfactory sexual intercourse.1 It’s estimated that approximately 40% of men in their 40s experience some form of erectile dysfunction, with the prevalence believed to increase by around 10% per decade thereafter.3
A study examining men aged 20 to 75 from eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) revealed that the percentage of men with erectile dysfunction varied from 22% in the United States to 10% in Spain.4
However, current prevalence estimates are likely significant underestimations of the actual figures due to men’s tendency to be hesitant in discussing their sexual health with healthcare professionals.5
Failing to obtain an erection can be an unnerving event. If this happens to you occasionally, it’s likely nothing to worry about, with factors such as stress, tiredness, anxiety, or drinking too much alcohol all influencing the ability to obtain an erection.
However, if this happens persistently, then erectile dysfunction may be the culprit, and you should visit your healthcare professional to help identify the potential causes of your symptoms (through some questionnaires and erectile dysfunction tests), and receive the appropriate treatment.2
Although discussing sexual health concerns may be challenging, healthcare professionals specialising in sexual health view erectile dysfunction as any other health condition and can provide appropriate support. When consulting a healthcare professional about erectile dysfunction, they will typically gather a detailed description of your symptoms, including their duration, presence of risk factors, medication use, and relationship issues, among other relevant factors.
A physical examination and blood tests to measure lipid levels and fasting blood sugar may also be recommended to identify the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction and determine the most suitable treatment options.1
Erectile dysfunction causes are typically categorised as either organic or psychologically induced, also known as psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction result from various abnormalities in the neurologic, hormonal, or vasculature structures.7
One example of an organic cause includes coronary artery disease (CAD), where it’s estimated that nearly 50% of men with proven CAD have severe forms of the condition.8 Some men can present with both organic and psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
