Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsAssociated ConditionsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Erectile Dysfunction GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Frequent Symptoms

Associated Conditions

Complications

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Erectile Dysfunction Guide

At one point or another, most adult men will have trouble getting or keeping an erection long enough to have sex. This usually resolves on its own with little or no treatment. But when it becomes an ongoing problem, it is callederectile dysfunction (ED).

In addition to problems with getting a satisfactory erection, ED can lead to emotional and psychological problems too, including feelings of shame and guilt. In some cases, ED can lead to a loss of intimacy that affects the mental well-being of both partners.

This article discusses the signs and symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It also mentions several ejaculation-related conditions that often occur alongside ED, as well as when you should see your doctor.

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem among men, affecting some 30 million men in the United States.ED typically develops over time. But it canhappen suddenlyfor what seems like no reason at all.

The main symptoms of erectile dysfunction are:

Frequency of your erection issues is what defines the difference between having ED and not. Having symptoms from time to time, rather than often, is typically not a sign of erectile dysfunction.

For many men, ED also causesemotional and psychological distress. ED can affect your relationships and your self-esteem, and may lead to feelings of guilt, embarrassment, shame, or other difficult emotions.

Some men with ED have problems with ejaculating (ejaculatory dysfunction), while others are able to ejaculate one or more times during sexual intercourse.

Erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction are the two most common sexual difficulties in men. They are separate disorders, however, that often occur together.

Types of ejaculatory dysfunction include:

Other physical conditions that may or may not occur alongside ED include:

How You Can Delay Early Ejaculation During Sex

Erectile dysfunction can affect your mental health and wellbeing, along with that of your partner. It can lead to such complications as:

These complications can both contribute to ED symptoms and happen as a result of them.

If you are experiencing ED, getting professional help can prevent you from falling into a cycle of physical and psychological ED symptoms.

Fortunately, almost all cases of erectile dysfunction aretreatable.

Sex in the Senior Years

If you have difficulty getting or keeping an erectile on occasion—for example, after a night of drinking or a stressful work day—you probably don’t need to worry. Most men experience this at one point or another.

But if getting or keeping an erection is something that occurs 25% of the time or more, then you could have ED and should consider seeing a healthcare provider.

In addition, if symptoms are consistently getting worse, there could be a physical cause that should be investigated.

It’s also time to get professional help if:

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Summary

Erectile dysfunction is defined as an inability to get or keep an erection 25% of the time or more. Aside from these physical symptoms, it can also cause emotional and psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and lost self-esteem.

Several disorders can happen alongside erectile dysfunction, including premature ejaculation and reduced sex drive. If your symptoms are becoming a regular issue, causing you anxiety, or creating tension in your relationship, make an appointment to see a healthcare provider.

Causes and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction

Frequently Asked QuestionsTypically there’s a lack of blood flow to the penis, or the penis isn’t able to trap and hold blood long enough to keep the erection. Either can happen for a variety of underlying health conditions that affect the circulatory system, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or certain cancer treatments.One of the following criteria must be met in order to have erectile dysfunction:Ability to get an erection sometimes when you want to have sex, but not alwaysAbility to get an erection but unable to keep itUnable to get an erection under any circumstanceThere is no diagnostic test for ED. On occasion, aurologistwill have a patient do anocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test,which can indicate if he is having spontaneous erections during sleep, or a penile plethysmograph, which evaluates blood flow to the penis in response to arousing material.

Typically there’s a lack of blood flow to the penis, or the penis isn’t able to trap and hold blood long enough to keep the erection. Either can happen for a variety of underlying health conditions that affect the circulatory system, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or certain cancer treatments.

One of the following criteria must be met in order to have erectile dysfunction:Ability to get an erection sometimes when you want to have sex, but not alwaysAbility to get an erection but unable to keep itUnable to get an erection under any circumstance

One of the following criteria must be met in order to have erectile dysfunction:

There is no diagnostic test for ED. On occasion, aurologistwill have a patient do anocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test,which can indicate if he is having spontaneous erections during sleep, or a penile plethysmograph, which evaluates blood flow to the penis in response to arousing material.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.Otani T.Clinical review of ejaculatory dysfunction.Reprod Med Biol. 2019 Jul;18(4):331-343. doi:10.1002/rmb2.12289American Heart Association.Erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for more serious health problems. Published June 2018.Harvard Health Publishing.Sex and the prostate: Overcoming erectile dysfunction when you have prostate disease.Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test?.International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is a penile plethysmograph?.Additional ReadingMayo Clinic.Erectile Dysfunction.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.Otani T.Clinical review of ejaculatory dysfunction.Reprod Med Biol. 2019 Jul;18(4):331-343. doi:10.1002/rmb2.12289American Heart Association.Erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for more serious health problems. Published June 2018.Harvard Health Publishing.Sex and the prostate: Overcoming erectile dysfunction when you have prostate disease.Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test?.International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is a penile plethysmograph?.Additional ReadingMayo Clinic.Erectile Dysfunction.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.Otani T.Clinical review of ejaculatory dysfunction.Reprod Med Biol. 2019 Jul;18(4):331-343. doi:10.1002/rmb2.12289American Heart Association.Erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for more serious health problems. Published June 2018.Harvard Health Publishing.Sex and the prostate: Overcoming erectile dysfunction when you have prostate disease.Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test?.International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is a penile plethysmograph?.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for erectile dysfunction.

Otani T.Clinical review of ejaculatory dysfunction.Reprod Med Biol. 2019 Jul;18(4):331-343. doi:10.1002/rmb2.12289

American Heart Association.Erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign for more serious health problems. Published June 2018.

Harvard Health Publishing.Sex and the prostate: Overcoming erectile dysfunction when you have prostate disease.

Urology Care Foundation.What is erectile dysfunction?.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.

International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test?.

International Society for Sexual Medicine.What is a penile plethysmograph?.

Mayo Clinic.Erectile Dysfunction.

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