Erectile Dysfunction

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Living With
• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

• Videos and Tutorials

Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Patient Handouts

Summary

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common type of male sexual dysfunction. It is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection. ED becomes more common as you get older. But it's not a natural part of aging.

Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors about sex. But if you have ED, you should tell your doctor. ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.

Your doctor can offer several new treatments for ED. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Getting more exercise, losing weight, or stopping smoking may also help.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Erectile Dysfunction (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Erectile Dysfunction (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Testosterone Test (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

Treatments and Therapies

• Erectile Dysfunction Herbs: A Natural Treatment for ED? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Hidden Risks of Erectile Dysfunction "Treatments" Sold Online (Food and Drug Administration)
• Kegel Exercises for Men: Understand the Benefits (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Penile Implants (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Penis Pump (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Sexual Health: Testosterone Therapy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Yohimbe (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Living With

• All-Natural Tips to Improve Your Sex Life: Exercise, Diet Changes May Help Reverse ED (Erectile Dysfunction) (Harvard Medical School)
• How Will Cancer Affect My Sex Life? (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• Cardiovascular Implications of Erectile Dysfunction (American Heart Association)
• Erectile Dysfunction (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes (American Diabetes Association) Also in Spanish
• Erectile Dysfunction: A Sign of Heart Disease? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Low Testosterone and Men's Health (Hormone Health Network) Also in Spanish
• Sex and the Man With Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Bent Penis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Videos and Tutorials

• Simultaneous Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (IPP) and Male Sling Placement: Aiding in a Faster Return to Patient Quality-of-Life (BroadcastMed) - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 05/11/2011

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Erectile Dysfunction (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Impotence (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Association between use of aspirin or non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs...
• Article: Sexual Dysfunction: Behavioral, Medical, and Surgical Treatment.
• Article: Prospective evaluation of a specific technique of sexual function preservation...
• Erectile Dysfunction -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Find a Urologist (Urology Care Foundation)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Drugs that may cause impotence (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Erection problems (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Erection problems - aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish