What is it?
Erectile Dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity. It is very common, especially with ageing, but it can affect men at any age. Although it is not life-threatening, ED often impacts confidence, relationships, and quality of life.
Key Symptoms:
- Trouble getting an erection
- Difficulty maintaining an erection during sex
- Reduced sexual desire (libido) in some cases
Causes & Risk Factors:
ED can result from physical, psychological, or combined factors, including:
- Physical causes: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, low testosterone, side effects of medications, pelvic surgery (e.g. prostate surgery)
- Psychological causes: stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems
- Ageing: natural changes in blood flow and nerve function make ED more common with age, but it is not inevitable
Diagnosis:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Blood tests (hormones, cholesterol, diabetes screening)
- Sometimes specialised tests (penile Doppler ultrasound) if needed
Treatment Options:
- Lifestyle changes: quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, exercise, healthy diet, weight loss
- Medications (PDE5 inhibitors): sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil, avanafil – effective for many men
- Devices: vacuum erection devices (pumps)
- Injections: medication injected directly into the penis to trigger an erection
- Hormone therapy: if low testosterone is contributing
- Penile implant surgery: for severe cases where other treatments fail
- Counselling/therapy: for anxiety, stress, or relationship-related ED
Why seek help?
ED is common and treatable. It can also be an early warning sign of heart or vascular disease, so evaluation is important for overall health. Effective treatments exist, and most men can regain satisfying sexual function with the right management.