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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

Start Here

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

Diagnosis and Tests

• Testosterone Levels Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

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) 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
• 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 (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes (American Diabetes Association)
• 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) Also in Spanish

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: Diagnostic value of penile color doppler ultrasonography in patients with veno-occlusive...
• Article: Is Cycling Practice Related to Men's Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions? A Hypothesis-Generating...
• Article: Structural Determination, Biological Function, and Molecular Modelling Studies of Sulfoaildenafil Adulterated...
• 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