About erectile dysfunction

Sex may not be the most important thing in life. But to most men, it’s up there. So don’t let erection problems keep you from a satisfying sex life. Learn about a condition called erectile dysfunction, or ED.

What is erectile dysfunction?

ED is when a man has problems getting or maintaining an erection long enough for sex. It happens when not enough blood flows to the penis.

Erectile dysfunction isn’t the same for all men. Some men aren’t able to get an erection at all. Others can get one, but it’s not hard enough for sex. And others get a hard erection but lose it before or during sex.

Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition. So in most cases, erections will not improve without treatment.

A common issue

Erectile dysfunction is more common than you might think. More than half of all men over 40 have some difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. The fact is, guys at any age can experience ED.

Treatment works

If you think you might have Erectile dysfunction, there’s something you can do. Ask your doctor about treatment. Most men with ED can significantly improve their erections. And better erections can mean better sex.

Doctor Q&A

What causes Erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by things like stress or fatigue. But more often it’s due to another health problem. These health problems may prevent your blood vessels and nerves from working properly. And this can prevent an erection.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are 2 common medical problems that can lead to Erectile dysfunction. Others include high cholesterol, heart disease, depression, and prostate problems. Certain medications you take could also affect the quality of your erections. No matter what the cause, treatment can be effective.

How do I know if I have Erectile dysfunction?

If you have had any problems getting or keeping an erection, you may have Erectile dysfunction. Don’t worry. It happens to more men than you would think. A recent study found that half of all men over 40 have Erectile dysfunction to some degree. To find out if you have signs of Erectile dysfunction, take the sexual health quiz on this site. And discuss the results with your doctor. If appropriate, he can recommend a treatment that’s right for you.

What can I do about it?

Erectile dysfunction can be safely and effectively treated. Oral Erectile dysfunction medications like VIAGRA are the most common form of Erectile dysfunction treatment. So talk to your doctor. Chances are, you can improve your erections. And this can lead to a more satisfying sexual relationship with your partner.

What causes Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by things like stress or fatigue. But a lot of times, Erectile dysfunction is not something that you can control. That’s because it’s often due to a physical problem that affects your blood flow.

Usually when a man is sexually aroused: the brain sends an impulse telling the arteries in the penis to widen.

As a result, more blood flows to the penis.

When this happens, the penis expands and hardens. This causes an erection.

When a man has Erectile dysfunction, the nerves or blood vessels in the penis don’t work properly. This prevents blood from flowing to the penis. And that can prevent an erection.

Causes of Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is often related to other health issues that can affect the flow of blood to the penis. No matter what the cause, treatment is usually effective.

CIALIS helps increase blood flow in the penis when a man is sexually stimulated.

CIALIS can help men with ED get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity, blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.

CIALIS is clinically proven to improve erectile function in most men with ED, including those with mild, moderate or severe ED. In clinical trials, CIALIS improved:

Confidence in ability to achieve and maintain an erection

Satisfaction with the hardness of erections

Ability to maintain erections for successful sexual intercourse

Satisfaction with sexual intercourse

LEVITRA is a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Men taking nitrate drugs, often used to control chest pain (also known as angina), should not take LEVITRA. Such combinations could cause blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.

As with all ED drugs, there is a rare risk of an erection lasting longer than four hours. To avoid long-term injury, seek immediate medical attention. LEVITRA does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicine, including LEVITRA) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines or to other factors. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and call a doctor right away.

Discuss your medical conditions, including heart problems, and medications, including alpha blockers prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure, with your doctor to ensure LEVITRA is right for you and that you are healthy enough for sexual activity.

The starting dose of LEVITRA is 10 mg taken no more than once per day. Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you. In patients taking alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of LEVITRA. In patients taking certain medications such as ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin and clarithromycin, lower doses of LEVITRA are recommended, and time between doses of LEVITRA may need to be extended.

In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects were headache, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. LEVITRA is available in 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets.