A – Z of Illnesses & Conditions

Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction also known as impotence is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity.  Erectile dysfunction is different from other conditions that interfere with male sexual intercourse, such as lack of sexual desire (decreased libido) and problems with ejaculation and orgasm (ejaculatory dysfunction).

Erectile dysfunction varies in severity; some men have a total inability to achieve an erection, others have an inconsistent ability to achieve an erection and some can sustain only brief erections. The variations in severity of erectile dysfunction make estimating its frequency difficult. Many men also are reluctant to discuss erectile dysfunction with their doctors due to embarrassment and thus the condition is underdiagnosed.

While erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, it is uncommon among young men and more common in the elderly. By age 45, most men have experienced erectile dysfunction at least some of the time. The causes of erectile dysfunction are aging, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, low testosterone levels, substance abuse and medications.

See your doctor if you have erectile dysfunction for more than a few weeks.
They will assess your general state of health because the condition can be the first sign of more serious health conditions, such as heart disease (when the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted).