What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

Erectile Dysfunction is a problem in males where for some reasons a man can't get an erection to have sex or can't keep an erection long enough to finish having sex. Erectile dysfunction is also called impotence.

Men who have ED (erectile dysfunction), have low level secretion of the male sex hormone testosterone. Many things can cause low level of testosterone such as, thyroid abnormalities, problems with pituitary gland which regulates the production of sex hormone, liver complications and abnormalities with the testes itself.

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called "impotence," is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word "impotence" may also be used to describe physical tendencies that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction. This could include lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction is an umbrella cover for every other individual problem leading to impotency.

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. These variations make defining erectile dysfunction and estimating its incidence difficult. Estimates range from 15 million to 30 million, depending on the definition used.

In older men, erectile dysfunction usually has a physical cause, such as disease, injury, or side effects of drugs. Any disorder that causes injury to the nerves or impairs blood flow in the penis has the potential to cause erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction is treatable at any age. Awareness of this fact has been growing. More men have been seeking help and returning to normal sexual activity because of improved, successful treatments for erectile dysfunction or ED.