Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, commonly referred to as ED, is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. It is estimated that about 1 in 10 adult males suffer from ED on a long-term basis.
Erectile dysfunction causes
There are many possible causes of ED, and they can include both emotional and physical conditions. Common physical causes include:
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
- hypertension, or high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- hypothyroidism
- obesity
- low testosterone levels or other hormone imbalances
- kidney disease
- increased age
- relationship problems
- certain prescription medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure or depression
- sleep disorders
- drug use
- consuming too much alcohol
- liver cirrhosis
- epilepsy
- using tobacco products
- Parkinson’s disease
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
- damage to the pelvic area through injury or surgery
- Peyronie’s disease, which causes scar tissue to develop in the penis
Common emotional causes include:
- performance anxiety
- relationship problems
ED can be caused by only one of these factors or by several of them. That’s why it’s important to work with your doctor so that they can rule out or treat any underlying medical conditions. Learn more about the causes of ED.
Erectile dysfunction treatment
Treatment for ED will depend on the underlying cause. You may need to use a combination of treatments, including medication or talk therapy.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage the symptoms of ED. You may need to try several medications before you find one that works. The following oral medications stimulate blood flow to your penis to help treat ED:
- sildenafil (Viagra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
Alprostadil is another medication that can be used to treat ED. It can be administered as a penile self-injection at the base or side of the penis.
In most cases, however, alprostadil is not used alone as an injection, and the combination drug Trimix (alprostadil, phentolamine, papaverine) is used instead.
Your doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if you have low levels of testosterone.
Medications used for other conditions may cause ED. Talk with your doctor about your medications and whether they could be causing your symptoms. There may be others that you can take instead. Never stop taking medications without first talking with your doctor.
Medications for ED can cause side effects. If you’re experiencing unpleasant side effects, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend a different medication.
