Erectile dysfunction
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when you’re unable to get and keep an erection that’s strong enough for sex. Most men experience it, and often it’s just a one-time thing. But when it keeps happening, it’s something you may need treatment for.
And that’s where we come in. Talk to us to get expert advice. We’ll show you what treatments are safe, so you can find the option that suits you best.
Sometimes known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is when a man has persistent problems getting and sustaining an erection. Sometimes, this may be:
How long it needs to be happening for it to be medically defined as ED is a subject pretty open to discussion. There’s actually a scale called The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) which gives men an ED ‘score’, based on their erection habits over the previous month.
Normally, a clinician will be able to tell if you need treatment by asking you a few questions about your symptoms and general health.
An estimated 1 in 5 men over 40 in Australia (so it’s quite common). But you can get erectile dysfunction at any age.
You’ve probably seen the TV commercials for ED medication. Older men strolling with their partners across a sunset beach. These ads target men in this age group, and it figures. Because as men get older, they’re more likely to develop health problems like high blood pressure or poor circulation. And these conditions can make it harder to get an erection.
But ED affects young men too. As well as the physical side of it, there’s the psychological side. In a new relationship, you may feel pressure to satisfy your partner for example, and this can lead to ED. Or you may be stressed at work, which may also trigger it.
So in fact, the answer to the question ‘Who gets ED?’ is anyone (and in some way or another, at some time, probably everyone).
It depends who you ask. Some health bodies have suggested that as many as 50% of men over 40 will experience erectile dysfunction. And a study of the condition in men under 40 estimates that a quarter in this group will get it at some point.
Unfortunately, the nature of ED means that many men won’t seek help for it. So it could well be more common than we think. But experts reckon that most men will get some form of ED at least once, even if it’s only short-term.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Lots of things can lead to ED. It can be down to physical problems (being overweight or having high blood pressure), psychological problems (anxiety or depression) or a combination of the two. Even tiredness can trigger ED.
ED can also be triggered by an underlying health condition, like diabetes, or it can be an early sign of heart disease. So if you keep getting erection problems, you should see a clinician, as these conditions need to be treated too.
In the body, ED is caused by loss of circulation to the penis, where the arteries at the base of the penis contract and don’t let blood through. An enzyme called PDE5 plays a part in this, and makes the arteries tighter.
Treatment for ED works by countering the effects of PDE5, so blood can flow into the penis, and help it to become erect when you’re aroused.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
No. Sometimes making lifestyle adjustments can make it go away. If you drink a lot of alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or take recreational drugs, curbing these habits can help with erections.
Being overweight can be a factor in ED too, so eating a healthy diet and exercising more is a good solution as well.
You might get erectile dysfunction if you’re anxious about sex. And talking to someone about it, whether it’s your partner, a friend or a therapist, can make all the difference. If you find that having conversations about it doesn’t help though, medication may be recommended.
It’s down to your health background really, but personal choice comes into it too.
Some options have been around longer than others, so you might prefer to use a ‘household name’ treatment you’ve heard of with more studies behind it than the newer ones.
Branded options are usually more expensive than generic versions, but often use the same active ingredient and work in the same way.
Exactly how the treatment you use works will differ depending on which one you choose. Some can be taken shortly before you have sex and last about four or five hours, while others stay in your system a lot longer. Other types can start to work around 15 minutes after you’ve taken them. These can be used ‘on-demand’, and might suit you if you don’t want to take medication daily.
If you have another condition alongside your ED, such as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a clinician might recommend a treatment that can help you manage both at the same time.
No, you need a prescription to be able to get any licensed ED treatments. This is so that a clinician can check that treatment is safe, and likely to be effective for you, before you take it.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know about Erectile dysfunction? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Erectile dysfunction. www.healthdirect.gov.au.
One Patient Out of Four with Newly Diagnosed Erectile Dysfunction Is a Young Man—Worrisome Picture from the Everyday Clinical Practice. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(7), pp.1833–1841.
Hatzimouratidis, K. (2014). A review of the use of tadalafil in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with and without erectile dysfunction. NCBI, Ther Adv Urol. 2014 Aug; 6(4): 135–147.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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