Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of EDED SymptomsAbout Sudden EDCausesIs It Curable?TreatmentWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of ED
ED Symptoms
About Sudden ED
Causes
Is It Curable?
Treatment
When to Get Help
Erectile dysfunction(ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. It is the most common of all male sexual disorders, affecting 10% of men ages 40 to 70.
Although erectile dysfunction is sometimes thought to only affect older men, several extensive studies estimate that erectile dysfunction affects as many as 30% of young men under 40.
Although the condition is not usually an emergent health concern, it may signify an underlying health issue, especially if it comes on suddenly.
A sudden case of ED might need a different approach when it comes to treatment. This article discusses how ED differs from sudden erectile dysfunction, and what to do if you experience this issue.
What Are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
The major causes of erectile dysfunction may be related to health issues, such as:
Certain medical conditions can lead to erectile dysfunction. Vascular disease is the most common medical cause of erectile dysfunction.
Vascular disease is a blood vessel condition that can limit blood flow to the penis shaft. When there is a shortage of blood, it can cause problems having or maintaining an erection.
Other medical conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction include:
Some medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, or other pharmaceuticals can cause issues with sexual function. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if your medications may be causing your erectile dysfunction.
Damaged nerves from medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, spinal cord damage, or prostate surgery may cause ED. Nerve damage can make it challenging to get or keep an erection.
Hormone levels, such as decreasedtestosteronelevels, can play a role in erectile dysfunction and overall sex drive.
Psychological issues may also affect sexual performance. These can include:
Performance AnxietyIn some cases, performance anxiety can occur.If a person has failed to achieve an erection in the past, they may fear that it will happen again. Anxiety over these past experiences can cause embarrassment or guilt that they are not able to sexually satisfy their partner, which can prevent them from performing.
Performance Anxiety
In some cases, performance anxiety can occur.If a person has failed to achieve an erection in the past, they may fear that it will happen again. Anxiety over these past experiences can cause embarrassment or guilt that they are not able to sexually satisfy their partner, which can prevent them from performing.
What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction?
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction can include:
What Is Sudden Erectile Dysfunction?
Sudden erectile dysfunction results in the same inability to have or maintain an erection. However, it is different because it comes on suddenly or seemingly out of nowhere, instead of slowly over time.
Erectile dysfunction that occurs suddenly usually stems from medication or a psychological issue. If you notice sudden erectile dysfunction, talk to your healthcare provider about any health changes, new medications, or stress or anxiety you are experiencing.
In some cases, you may find that more than one issue could be causing sudden ED.
What’s the Difference Between ED and Sudden ED?For many men, ED happens gradually over time. For example, some men slowly lose the firmness of their erections or their erections don’t last as long. In contrast, sudden ED often occurs abruptly and unexpectedly and continues to be a problem until the underlying issue is addressed.
What’s the Difference Between ED and Sudden ED?
For many men, ED happens gradually over time. For example, some men slowly lose the firmness of their erections or their erections don’t last as long. In contrast, sudden ED often occurs abruptly and unexpectedly and continues to be a problem until the underlying issue is addressed.
What Are the Causes of Sudden ED?
Psychological issues that may cause sudden erectile dysfunction include:
Can ED Happen Suddenly?Erectile dysfunction usually develops over time, often due to circulatory or nervous system issues. However, it can occur unexpectedly and suddenly. Sudden erectile dysfunction typically suggests a psychological problem or medication is causing the issue. Sudden ED is also known as sudden impotence.
Can ED Happen Suddenly?
Erectile dysfunction usually develops over time, often due to circulatory or nervous system issues. However, it can occur unexpectedly and suddenly. Sudden erectile dysfunction typically suggests a psychological problem or medication is causing the issue. Sudden ED is also known as sudden impotence.
Is Sudden ED Curable?
Each person’s ED case is different, so talk to your healthcare provider for guidance. You should make sure you don’t have any underlying medical conditions.
It’s also important to understand the treatment options that are available for ED.
How Is Sudden ED Treated?
Several options may help you with sudden ED, such as:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Reach out to a healthcare provider if you are:
Try to give the healthcare provider as much information as you can about what you are experiencing so that they can recommend the best treatment for your case.
Keep in mind that sudden ED can be a sign of an underlying medical treatment that requires prompt medical treatment. See a healthcare provider right away if you experience:
Summary
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for satisfying sexual intercourse. It usually develops over the course of time, but it can come on suddenly. Reasons for this may include underlying conditions, certain medications, or psychological issues.
Erectile dysfunction is a highly treatable condition, but it should be dealt with promptly to find and treat the underlying problem. Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your sexual health or performance. See a provider right away if you also have other new or unusual symptoms, like pain or changes in urination.
Temporary Erectile Dysfunction: What You Need to Know
10 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.Boston University School of Medicine.Epidemiology of ED.Nguyen HMT, Gabrielson AT, Hellstrom WJG.Erectile dysfunction in young men—a review of the prevalence and risk factors.Sex Med Rev. 2017 Oct;5(4):508-520. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.05.004Harvard Health.Impotence (erectile dysfunction).Rew KT, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Nov;94(10):820-827.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.Mount Sinai.Erection problems.Bauer SR, Breyer BN, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Giovannucci EL, Kenfield SA.Association of diet with erectile dysfunction among men in the health professionals follow-up study.JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov;3(11):e2021701. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.21701Giménez-Bastida J, Ávila-Gálvez M, Espín J, González-Sarrías A.Evidence for health properties of pomegranate juices and extracts beyond nutrition: A critical systematic review of human studies.Trend Food Sci Tech. 2021 Aug;114(1):410-423. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2021.06.014Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, Areskoug Josefsson K.Physical activity to improve erectile function: a systematic review of intervention studies.Sex Med. 2018 Apr;6(2):75-89. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2018.02.001Harvard Health Publishing.Sexual side effects of SSRIs: Why it happens and what to do.
10 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.Boston University School of Medicine.Epidemiology of ED.Nguyen HMT, Gabrielson AT, Hellstrom WJG.Erectile dysfunction in young men—a review of the prevalence and risk factors.Sex Med Rev. 2017 Oct;5(4):508-520. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.05.004Harvard Health.Impotence (erectile dysfunction).Rew KT, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Nov;94(10):820-827.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.Mount Sinai.Erection problems.Bauer SR, Breyer BN, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Giovannucci EL, Kenfield SA.Association of diet with erectile dysfunction among men in the health professionals follow-up study.JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov;3(11):e2021701. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.21701Giménez-Bastida J, Ávila-Gálvez M, Espín J, González-Sarrías A.Evidence for health properties of pomegranate juices and extracts beyond nutrition: A critical systematic review of human studies.Trend Food Sci Tech. 2021 Aug;114(1):410-423. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2021.06.014Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, Areskoug Josefsson K.Physical activity to improve erectile function: a systematic review of intervention studies.Sex Med. 2018 Apr;6(2):75-89. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2018.02.001Harvard Health Publishing.Sexual side effects of SSRIs: Why it happens and what to do.
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.
Boston University School of Medicine.Epidemiology of ED.Nguyen HMT, Gabrielson AT, Hellstrom WJG.Erectile dysfunction in young men—a review of the prevalence and risk factors.Sex Med Rev. 2017 Oct;5(4):508-520. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.05.004Harvard Health.Impotence (erectile dysfunction).Rew KT, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Nov;94(10):820-827.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.Mount Sinai.Erection problems.Bauer SR, Breyer BN, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Giovannucci EL, Kenfield SA.Association of diet with erectile dysfunction among men in the health professionals follow-up study.JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov;3(11):e2021701. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.21701Giménez-Bastida J, Ávila-Gálvez M, Espín J, González-Sarrías A.Evidence for health properties of pomegranate juices and extracts beyond nutrition: A critical systematic review of human studies.Trend Food Sci Tech. 2021 Aug;114(1):410-423. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2021.06.014Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, Areskoug Josefsson K.Physical activity to improve erectile function: a systematic review of intervention studies.Sex Med. 2018 Apr;6(2):75-89. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2018.02.001Harvard Health Publishing.Sexual side effects of SSRIs: Why it happens and what to do.
Boston University School of Medicine.Epidemiology of ED.
Nguyen HMT, Gabrielson AT, Hellstrom WJG.Erectile dysfunction in young men—a review of the prevalence and risk factors.Sex Med Rev. 2017 Oct;5(4):508-520. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.05.004
Harvard Health.Impotence (erectile dysfunction).
Rew KT, Heidelbaugh JJ.Erectile dysfunction.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Nov;94(10):820-827.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction.
Mount Sinai.Erection problems.
Bauer SR, Breyer BN, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Giovannucci EL, Kenfield SA.Association of diet with erectile dysfunction among men in the health professionals follow-up study.JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov;3(11):e2021701. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.21701
Giménez-Bastida J, Ávila-Gálvez M, Espín J, González-Sarrías A.Evidence for health properties of pomegranate juices and extracts beyond nutrition: A critical systematic review of human studies.Trend Food Sci Tech. 2021 Aug;114(1):410-423. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2021.06.014
Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, Areskoug Josefsson K.Physical activity to improve erectile function: a systematic review of intervention studies.Sex Med. 2018 Apr;6(2):75-89. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2018.02.001
Harvard Health Publishing.Sexual side effects of SSRIs: Why it happens and what to do.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
