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        Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
        Definition & Facts
                Symptoms & Causes
                Diagnosis
                Treatment
                Prevention
                Clinical TrialsSymptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
Symptoms of ED include
being able to get an erection sometimes, but not every time you want to have sex
    being able to get an erection, but not having it last long enough for sex
    being unable to get an erection at any timeED is often a symptom of another health problem or health-related factor.
A man having trouble sleeping.Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often a symptom of another health problem.What causes erectile dysfunction?
Many different factors affecting your vascular system, nervous system, and endocrine system can cause or contribute to ED.
Although you are more likely to develop ED as you age, aging does not cause ED. ED can be treated at any age.
Certain diseases and conditions
The following diseases and conditions can lead to ED:
type 2 diabetes
    heart and blood vessel disease
    atherosclerosis
    high blood pressure
    chronic kidney disease
    multiple sclerosis
    Peyronie’s disease
    injury from treatments for prostate cancer, including radiation therapy and prostate surgery
    injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, or pelvis
    surgery for bladder cancerMen who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to develop ED than men who do not have diabetes. Read more about diabetes and sexual and urologic problems.
Taking certain medicines
ED can be a side effect of many common medicines, such as
blood pressure medicines
    antiandrogens—medicines used for prostate cancer therapy
    antidepressants
    tranquilizers, or prescription sedatives—medicines that make you calmer or sleepy
    appetite suppressants, or medicines that make you less hungry
    ulcer medicinesView a list of specific medicines that may cause ED.
Certain psychological or emotional issues
Psychological or emotional factors may make ED worse. You may develop ED if you have one or more of the following:
fear of sexual failure
    anxiety
    depression
    guilt about sexual performance or certain sexual activities
    low self-esteem
    stress—about sexual performance, or stress in your life in generalCertain health-related factors and behaviors
The following health-related factors and behaviors may contribute to ED:
smoking
    drinking too much alcohol
    using illegal drugs
    being overweight
    not being physically active        Last Reviewed July 2017
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                This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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