Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction

“Erectile dysfunction means not being able
to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity.
It also is called impotence”.1

Umbrella

What may the Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
  • Impotence
  • Male Impotence

Definition

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

DotS the definition of ED may vary. In Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Erectile dysfunction means not being able to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity. It also is called impotence”.2

Symptoms

What are symptoms of ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction the (Australian) HealthDirect note:

“Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include:

  • Difficulty getting an erection
  • Difficulty keeping an erection
  • Difficulty having sexual intercourse, due to your penis not being hard enough”.3

Common or Not

How common is ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Overview – How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction? according to the (United States) Cleveland Clinic:

“Erectile dysfunction is the most common sex-related condition that men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) report to healthcare providers, especially as they age and develop other health issues”.4

In Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): About Erectile Dysfunction according to the (Scottish) NHS Inform:

“Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree”.5

In Erectile Dysfunction: Key Facts according to the (Australian) HealthDirect:

  • “Erectile dysfunction is very common, affecting more than 1 in 10 males”.6

Concern or Not

Is ED a concern?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Having erection trouble from time to time isn’t always a cause for concern. But if erectile dysfunction is ongoing, it can cause stress, affect self-confidence and add to challenges with a partner. Problems getting or keeping an erection can be a sign of a health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease”.7

Cause

What causes ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Causes [+ Images] the Mayo Clinic elaborate on physical causes, psychological causes and risk factors and also note:

“Male sexual arousal is complex. It involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Also, stress and mental health concerns can cause erectile dysfunction or make it worse”.8

In Erectile Dysfunction: What Causes Erectile Dysfunction? Health Direct elaborate on:

“Erectile dysfunction can have a range of causes — physical, psychological or a combination. Sometimes it only happens in certain situations. The cause may not always be clear.

  • Problems with the male reproductive system that can cause erectile dysfunction include:…
  • Physical factors that can cause erectile dysfunction include:…
  • Chronic health conditions that can contribute to erectile dysfunction include:…
  • Psychological factors that can cause erectile dysfunction include:…”.9

Cause: Medicines and Drugs

Can some medicines and drugs cause ED?

In Drugs That May Cause Erection Problems, review date 01 January 2025, the (United States) MedlinePlus list “some medicines and drugs that may cause impotence in men”.

Treatment

How is ED treated?

In Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction the NHS elaborate on:

“Treatment can usually help improve erectile dysfunction.

  • Medicines for erectile dysfunction…
  • Vacuum pumps…
  • Treating the cause of erectile dysfunction…
  • Finding private counsellors or sex therapists…”.10

Oral Medicines

What are oral medicines for ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications, dated 21 January 2026, the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Medicines that you take by mouth are called oral medicines. They’re often the first line of treatment for trouble getting or keeping an erection, called erectile dysfunction (ED). Oral medicines for ED usually work well and cause few side effects”.11

Sexual Health and Erectile DysfunctionMain Oral Medicines

What are the four main oral medicines for ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“The four main medicines taken by mouth for erectile dysfunction are:

  • Avanafil (Stendra)
  • Sildenafil (Viagra)
  • Tadalafil (Cialis)
  • Vardenafil

These medicines are called PDE5 inhibitors. They enhance the effects of a chemical the body makes that relaxes muscles in the penis, called nitric oxide. This boosts blood flow and helps you get an erection from sexual activity”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have ED or I think my partner has ED?

In Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosis & Treatment — Treatment the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on the cause of your erectile dysfunction, how bad it is and whether you have underlying health conditions. You might have several treatment choices.

Your healthcare professional can tell you the pros and cons of each treatment. What you prefer matters. What your partner wants also might be part of your treatment choices”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Erectile Dysfunction?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. 5 Natural Ways To Overcome Erectile Dysfunction
  2. Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System
  3. Bent Penis
  4. Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: A Natural Treatment for ED?
  5. Drugs That May Cause Erection Problems
  6. Eat To Perform: Foods That Can Help With ED
  7. Erectile Dysfunction
  8. Erectile Dysfunction
  9. Erectile Dysfunction
  10. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
  11. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
  12. Erectile Dysfunction FAQs [Video: Courtesy Mayo Clinic]
  13. Erectile Dysfunction: A Sign of Heart Disease?
  14. Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosis & Treatment
  15. Erectile Dysfunction: Nonoral Treatments
  16. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes [+ Video]
  17. Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications
  18. Is Loss of Sex Drive Normal As A Man Gets Older?
  19. Issm.info: Sexual Health Topics [International Society for Sexual Medicine]
  20. Let’s Talk Low Libido
  21. Male Hypogonadism
  22. Management of Erectile Dysfunction and CV Disease [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Proceedings]
  23. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Low Testosterone Can Affect Men’s Health [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  24. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  25. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  26. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Natural Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Safer, or Better
  27. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Yohimbe
  28. Penile Implants
  29. Penis Disorders
  30. Penis Pump
  31. Peyronies Disease
  32. Seduction Secrets: Do Aphrodisiacs Boost Desire?
  33. Senior Sex: Tips for Older Men
  34. Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Does It Work?
  35. Sildenafil (Including Viagra)
  36. Sildenafil [Viagra]
  37. The Dangers of Recreational Viagra
  38. What Are the Risks of Testosterone Therapy?

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 01 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 25 March 2026
  2. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 01 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 25 March 2026
  3. Erectile Dysfunction: What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: February 2025. HealthDirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 25 March 2026
  4. Erectile Dysfunction: Overview – How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: 28 August 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 25 March 2026
  5. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): About Erectile Dysfunction. Last Updated: 18 March 2026. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/erectile-dysfunction-impotence/ Accessed: 25 March 2026
  6. Erectile Dysfunction: What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: February 2025. HealthDirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 25 March 2026
  7. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 01 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 25 March 2026
  8. Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 01 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776 Accessed: 25 March 2026
  9. Erectile Dysfunction: What Causes Erectile Dysfunction? Last Reviewed: February 2025. HealthDirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/erectile-dysfunction Accessed: 25 March 2026
  10. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction. Page Last Reviewed: 28 July 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/#treatment Accessed: 25 March 2026
  11. Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications. 21 January 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821 Accessed: 25 March 2026
  12. Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications. 21 January 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/in-depth/erectile-dysfunction/art-20047821 Accessed: 25 March 2026
  13. Erectile Dysfunction: Diagnosis & Treatment — Treatment. 01 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355782 Accessed: 25 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 25 March 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 25 March 2026

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