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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
- Erectile Dysfunction (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED) (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
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Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
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Testosterone Levels Test
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- "All Natural" Alternatives for Erectile Dysfunction: A Risky Proposition (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
- Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: 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
- Kegel Exercises for Men: Understand the Benefits (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Penile Implants (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Penis Pump (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Testosterone Therapy: Potential Benefits and Risks as You Age (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
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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)
- Fertility and Sexual Side Effects in People with Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Cardiovascular Implications of Erectile Dysfunction (American Heart Association)
- Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes (American Diabetes Association)
- Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Erectile Dysfunction: A Sign of Heart Disease? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Hypogonadism in Men (Endocrine Society) Also in Spanish
- Sex and the Adult Male With Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Bent Penis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Erectile Dysfunction
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Impotence
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: PELVIC REHABILITATION FOR URINARY INCONTINENCE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY.
- Article: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and its relationship to the autonomic nervous system...
- Article: The interplay between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie's...
- Erectile Dysfunction -- see more articles
Find an Expert
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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
- Vacuum erectile devices for erection problems (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish