9 Surprising Facts About Erectile Dysfunction
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sarah Lewis, PharmD on May 20, 2021
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Erectile Dysfunction FactsErectile dysfunction, or ED, is difficulty getting or keeping an erection. Many men—and their partners—have misconceptions about ED. It isn’t always an easy topic to discuss. Your doctor is the best resource for understanding whether or not you have ED, its underlying cause, and what to do about it. Start with these nine facts about erectile dysfunction.
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Fact #1: Erectile dysfunction is a common problem.If you have ED, you are not alone. Most men have occasional problems with erections. In the United States, as many as 30 million American men have ED and about 50% of men older than 40 experience some level of it. By age 75, it affects nearly 1 out of 2 men. While the incidence of ED tends to increase with age, ED is not an inevitable part of aging. The problem is usually more about health conditions and lifestyle habits.
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Fact #2: Most cases of erectile dysfunction are due to a physical cause.It’s true that psychological and emotional issues can cause problems with sexual function. Stress, anxiety and depression are examples. But most cases of ED have a physical cause—something that affects the blood flow or nerve supply to the penis. Chronic medical conditions are the main culprit in ED, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and hardening of the arteries. This means having ED can be a sign of other underlying problems. Other possible causes include spinal cord injury, prostate or bladder surgery, and certain medications.
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Fact #3: Lifestyle habits can contribute to erectile dysfunction.It’s important to be honest with your doctor about your lifestyle habits. They may be contributing to ED and your doctor can only help if he or she has all the facts. Your doctor may suggest cutting back on alcohol, increasing your physical activity, losing some weight, or stopping smoking. Some of these changes may seem overwhelming or unachievable, but your doctor can help you find solutions that work for you.
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Fact #4: It’s probably not low testosterone.Testosterone may be the most important male hormone, but when it comes to ED, it is not often to blame. Low testosterone can affect the desire for sex, but not usually the state of the erection. Erections depend primarily on two things—nerve supply and blood flow. Once sensory or mental stimulation starts, nerves in the area control muscles that allow blood to flow into the penis. This causes an erection.
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Fact #5: Treatment for erectile dysfunction requires a doctor’s order.The first step in treating ED is to address any underlying medical conditions, which may resolve the problem. If you still have trouble sustaining an erection, you can discuss treatment options with your doctor. Depending on the physical cause, this may include:
- Oral medicines, including sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardefanil (Levitra)
- Injectable medicine or suppositories, such as alprostadil (Caverject)
- Vacuum devices or implants
- Surgery to repair damaged blood vessels in the penis
You might need to try different treatments to see which one works best for you. -
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Fact #6: The solution could be in your genes.The future of ED treatment may be in your genes. Researchers are testing gene therapy as a potential long-term treatment approach for ED, and possibly a cure. Other researchers are exploring the use of stem cell therapy. If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial for ED, talk with your doctor. Clinical trials can offer early access to new treatments and can help other men with ED by advancing research.
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Fact #7: It can be dangerous to treat erectile dysfunction yourself.For your health and safety, don’t take anything for ED without checking with your doctor first. An investigation of supplements sold online to treat ED revealed some scary findings, as reported by the Food and Drug Administration. About one-third of ED supplements contained potentially harmful and unlisted ingredients. Supplements can also cause side effects and drug interactions. If you are interested in a supplement, talk with your doctor first. Then, order it through a local pharmacy.
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Fact #8: There’s a possible link with your dental health.Several studies suggest that men with periodontal disease or chronic gum disease are more likely than those with healthy teeth and gums to have ED. In other words, gum disease may be a risk factor for ED. Inflammation is the likely link between the two. Research also suggests that dental health plays a role in preventing ED. So see your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene.
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Fact #9: It could signal something else is wrong.ED is often the first warning sign of more serious health problems, like heart disease and diabetes. That makes it especially important to see your doctor to find out what is causing your ED. If another medical condition is to blame, treating it can improve your overall health—and your sexual function.
9 Surprising Facts About Erectile Dysfunction