Men's Health

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED, or impotence) is difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. An occasional off day is completely normal and not a cause for concern. Persistent difficulty, however, can affect confidence, mood and relationships, and is sometimes an early sign of a treatable underlying health condition — so it’s worth taking seriously.

Common symptoms

• Trouble getting an erection
• Trouble keeping an erection firm enough for sex
• Reduced sexual desire

Physical causes

An erection depends on healthy blood flow, nerves and hormones, so anything that affects these can contribute. Common physical factors include narrowed or hardened arteries, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and heart disease, as well as hormonal changes, certain prescription medicines, smoking, heavy alcohol use, sleep problems, nerve or pelvic injury, and some treatments for the prostate.

Psychological causes

The mind plays a big role too. Stress, anxiety, depression and relationship strain can all cause or worsen ED, and physical and psychological factors often feed into one another — for example, a minor physical issue can trigger anxiety that then makes things harder.

Helping to prevent it

The best prevention is a healthy lifestyle and keeping existing conditions in check: work with your doctor to manage diabetes, blood pressure and heart health, stay physically active, keep a healthy weight, stop smoking, limit alcohol, sleep well, and get support for stress, anxiety or low mood.

This information is general and educational only and is not medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation.