The symptoms of ED include:

• being able to get an erection sometimes, but not every time you want to have sex
• being able to get an erection, but not having it last long enough for sex
• being unable to get an erection at any time

Many different factors affecting your vascular system, nervous system, and endocrine system can cause or contribute to ED.

Although you are more likely to develop ED as you age, aging does not cause ED and can be treated at any age. 

The following diseases and conditions can lead to ED:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Atherosclerosis
• High blood pressure
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Peyronie’s disease
• Injury from prostate cancer treatments including radiation therapy and prostate surgery
• Injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, or pelvis
• Surgery for bladder cancer

Men who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to develop ED than men who do not have diabetes. Read more about diabetes and sexual and urological problems here.

ED can be a side effect of many common medicines, such as:

• Blood Pressure Medicines
• Anti-androgens—medicines used for prostate cancer therapy
• Antidepressants
• Tranquilizers, or prescription sedatives—medicines that make you calmer or sleepy
• Appetite suppressants, or medicines that make you less hungry
• Ulcer medicines

View a list of specific medicines that may cause ED here.

Psychological or emotional factors may make ED worse. You may develop ED if you have one or more of the following:

• Fear of sexual failure
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Guilt about sexual performance or certain sexual activities
• Low self-esteem
• Stress about sexual performance, or stress in your life in general

The following health-related factors and behaviors may contribute to ED:

• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Illegal drug use
• Being overweight
• Not being physically active

Several treatments exist for erectile dysfunction. Whether it be current medication changes, lifestyle changes, counseling if stress related, or new medications or injections. Treatment is tailored to what you need, given your particular circumstances. You have options!

Non-pharmacological treatment

When there is a vascular problem, it is important to treat the risk factors that produce it like smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and an inadequate diet. Weight loss can improve sexual function.

Pharmacological treatments

There are some medications that are widely used in the treatment of erection problems. These drugs are safe and effective and normalize erections in about four out of five men. 

Examples of medication modalities to help you get and maintain an erection:  

• sildenafil (Viagra)
• vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
• tadalafil (Cialis)
• avanafil (Stendra)

Penile injection - This is not offered at our clinic, but we want to introduce you to the concept so you can seek care elsewhere if you are interested in this, specifically.

Some medications do not work for all men dealing with erectile dysfunction. However, penile injection therapy may be another viable option. Penile injection consists of administering medication using a very fine needle in the privacy of your home. Injecting a needle into your penis may seem intimidating, but around 20% of men are very satisfied with this therapy.