Male Erectile Dysfunction

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is when a man is unable to get and/or keep an erection that allows sexual activity with penetration. It is not a disease, but a symptom of some other problem, either physical, psychological or a mixture of both.

How common is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is very common and becomes more common as men age. Survey showed that at least one in five men over the age of 40 years has erectile problems and about one in ten men are completely unable to have erections. With each increasing decade of age, the chance of having erectile problems increases.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Many factors can affect a man’s ability to get and keep an erection. Two or three factors, that may be a combination of physical and psychological factors, are often present at one time. Sometimes there is no clear reason for the erectile dysfunction; however, most cases of erectile dysfunction have a physical cause.

Is erectile dysfunction just part of getting old?

There is no doubt that the muscle cells in the ageing penis are less responsive, interfering with getting and keeping good erections. Like the rest of the ageing body, muscle tone in the penis reduces with age, as do many other aspects of sexual function.

It can take longer for a man to get fully aroused. It may take much longer before a second erection happens compared to when the man was younger, and usually the erection is not as firm.

How is erectile dysfunction treated?

For most men, erectile dysfunction cannot be cured, for some there may be a reversible underlying cause. For this reason, it is important to assess all men with erectile problems to see if there is a treatable cause. Usually there will not be a specific treatment that will lead to the improvement of erectile dysfunction. However, there are treatments that will allow erections to happen and can be used to allow sexual activity to take place.

There are three main types of treatments: non-invasive treatments such as tablet medicines and external devices (e.g. vacuum device); penile injections; and for men who have not had success with other treatments, surgery (e.g. penile implant) may be an option.

Can I do anything to prevent erectile dysfunction?

Although not proven, it is likely that erectile dysfunction can be prevented by good general health, paying particular attention to body weight, exercise, and cigarette smoking. For example, heart disease and diabetes are problems that can cause erectile dysfunction, and both are preventable through lifestyle changes such as sensible eating and regular exercise. Furthermore, early diagnosis and treatment of associated conditions like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol may prevent or delay erectile dysfunction, or stop the erectile dysfunction from getting more serious.

Can a medicine or disease cause erectile dysfunction?

Sometimes men have erectile problems when they are taking medicines for other medical conditions. It is important not to stop taking prescribed medicines without first checking with a doctor. By working with the doctor, most men can find treatments that not only improve their general health and well-being, but also help the erectile problem.

Where can I get help for erectile dysfunction?

The local doctor is the best first point of contact if you have erectile problems. Often the local doctor can treat erectile problems without the need to refer to a specialist. Local doctors are able to prescribe medicines to treat erectile dysfunction. It is important to talk openly to a doctor about any problems with sexual functioning but this may be difficult for both you and the doctor. Most doctors are trained to deal with these problems, but if the doctor is not comfortable or confident in this area of medicine, they may refer you to a colleague in their practice or to a specialist if necessary. A good relationship with the doctor is important as treatment for erectile dysfunction may be ongoing and need regular review.

While the Internet is an important source of information, not all men can sort out which resources are safe and reliable. Ordering treatments on the Internet without a correct assessment is dangerous, and by bypassing the doctor, an opportunity for assessment is missed. Unfortunately, there are some clinics that take advantage of men with erectile dysfunction, providing services which are not helpful, often at increased prices, and often not providing a medical assessment.