Question: What is (are) What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: Erectile dysfunction* is when you cannot get or keep an erection firm enough to have sex. You may have ED if you - can get an erection sometimes, though not every time - can get an erection, yet it does not last long enough for sex - are unable to get an erection at all ED is sometimes called impotence; however, doctors use this term less often now. *See the Pronunciation Guide for tips on how to say the words in bold type.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What causes What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: Erectile dysfunction often has more than one cause. Many diseases can damage nerves, arteries, and muscles. Some can lead to ED, such as - high blood pressure - diabetes, when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high - clogged arteries - heart and blood vessel disease - chronic kidney disease - multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the nerves - treatments for prostate cancer, including radiation, surgery to remove the prostate, and hormone treatments - injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, or pelvis - surgery for bladder cancer - Peyronies disease, in which scar tissue, called a plaque, forms in the penis Unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, using illegal drugs, being overweight, and not exercising, can lead to ED. Mental health problems such as the following can also cause or worsen ED: - depression - fear of sexual failure - guilt - low self-esteem - stress - worry Even when ED has a physical cause, mental health problems can make ED worse. For example, a physical problem may slow your sexual arousal, which may make you more nervous and worsen your ED. In addition, ED can be a side effect of many common medicines. A small number of ED cases result from low testosterone, a male hormone.
Source: NIDDK

Question: Who is at risk for What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction? ?
Answer: Erectile dysfunction affects men of all races and in all parts of the world. Men are more likely to have ED as they get older. For example, ED occurs in - about 12 percent of men younger than 60 - 22 percent of men age 60 to 69 - 30 percent of men age 70 or older
Source: NIDDK

Question: What causes What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: Having ED can cause you to feel depressed or anxious. ED may also cause low self-esteem. When you have ED, you may not have a satisfying sex life. You may not feel as close with your sexual partner, which may strain your relationship. See Your Doctor if You Have Erectile Dysfunction, as Erectile Dysfunction Could Mean You Have a More Serious Condition If you have problems getting or keeping an erection, and the problems last for more than a few weeks, you should talk with your doctor. ED can be a sign of other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease. When you meet with your doctor, you might use phrases like, Ive been having problems in the bedroom or Ive been having erection problems. Remember that a healthy sex life is part of a healthy life. Dont be shy about seeking help. Your doctor treats medical problems every day. If talking with your doctor doesnt put you at ease, ask for a referral to another doctor. Your doctor may send you to a urologista doctor who specializes in sexual and urinary problems.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What causes What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: To find the cause of your ED, your doctor may - take your medical and sexual history - ask you questions about your mental health - give you a physical exam - test your blood - give you a nighttime erection test - perform an injection test - perform a Doppler penile ultrasound Medical and Sexual History Your doctor will ask general questions about your health, as well as specific questions about your erection problems and your relationship with your sexual partner. Your doctor might ask you questions such as - Have you ever had surgery? - What medicines do you take? - How sure are you that you can get and keep an erection? - When you have erections, how often are they hard enough for sex? - During sex, how often are you able to keep your erection? - When you try to have sex, how often are you happy with the sex? - How would you rate your level of sexual desire? - How often are you able to reach climax and ejaculate? - Do you have an erection when you wake up in the morning? - Do you use illegal drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke? The answers to these questions will help your doctor understand the problem. Bring a list of all the medicines you take, or the actual medicines, to show to your doctor. Mental Health Questions Your doctor may ask you questions about your mental health. For example, the doctor may ask if you feel nervous or depressed. He or she may also ask you to answer questions on paper. The doctor may also ask your sexual partner questions to get more information about the problem. Physical Exam A physical exam can help your doctor find the cause of your ED. As part of the exam, the doctor will examine your testes and penis, take your blood pressure, and check for problems with your blood flow. Blood Tests A blood test involves drawing your blood at a doctors office or a commercial facility and sending the sample to a lab for analysis. Blood tests can show possible causes of ED, such as diabetes, clogged blood vessels, or chronic kidney disease. Low levels of testosterone in your blood can explain why you may have lost interest in sex. Nighttime Erection Test During a nighttime erection test, you wear a plastic band around your penis to test whether you have nighttime erections. The band easily breaks if your penis expands. This test shows if you had at least one erection during the night. Another test uses an electronic device that can record the number of erections, how long they last, and how firm they are. A man normally has three to five erections during the night while he sleeps. If you do have an erection, it probably means that your ED is more likely a mental health issue. If you do not have these erections, you probably have nerve damage or poor blood flow to your penis. You may do this test in your home or in a special sleep lab. Injection Test During an injection test, the doctor will inject a medicine into your penis to cause an erection. If the erection is not firm or does not last, it may mean you have a problem with blood flow. This test most often takes place in the doctors office. Doppler Penile Ultrasound An x-ray technician most often performs a Doppler penile ultrasound in a doctors office or an outpatient center. During a Doppler penile ultrasound, the x-ray technician or doctor lightly passes a device over your penis to create images of blood vessels in your penis. An injection is used to create an erection. The images can show if you have a blood flow problem. The pictures appear on a computer screen. A radiologista doctor who specializes in medical imaginglooks at the images to find possible problems.
Source: NIDDK

Question: How to prevent What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: You can prevent many of the causes of ED by making healthy lifestyle choices. Following a healthy diet may help prevent ED. Quitting smoking and getting physical activity are also important ways to prevent ED. Physical activity increases blood flow throughout your body, including your penis. Talk with your doctor before starting new activities. If you have not been active, start slow, with easier activities such as walking at a normal pace or gardening. Then you can work up to harder activities such as walking briskly or swimming. Try to aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What to do for What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: To prevent ED, you should eat a healthy diet of whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and lean meats. A diet that causes you to be overweight and have heart and blood vessel disease can also lead to ED. You should avoid foods high in fat and sodium, the main part of salt. You should also avoid smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or using illegal drugs.
Source: NIDDK

Question: What to do for What I need to know about Erectile Dysfunction ?
Answer: - Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when you cannot get or keep an erection firm enough to have sex. You may have ED if you - can get an erection sometimes, though not every time - can get an erection, yet it does not last long enough for sex - are unable to get an erection at all - An erection occurs when blood flow into the penis increases, making the penis larger and firmer. Hormones, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles all work together to cause an erection. - ED often has more than one cause. Many diseases can damage nerves, arteries, and muscles. - To find the cause of your ED, your doctor may - take your medical and sexual history - ask you questions about your mental health - give you a physical exam - test your blood - give you a nighttime erection test - perform an injection test - perform a Doppler penile ultrasound - Your doctor can offer you a number of treatments for ED. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Other men have to try two or three options before they find a treatment that works for them. - You can prevent many of the causes of ED by making healthy lifestyle choices. Following a healthy diet may help prevent ED. Quitting smoking and getting physical activity are also important ways to prevent ED.
Source: NIDDK