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What Is ED?

People who suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (ED) cannot stay erect long enough or get a hard enough erection to partake in sexual activity. Fortunately, doctors have several ways of treating this condition.

  1. Significance

    • Erectile dysfunction appears in men of any age, but it becomes more common as men get older, usually past the age of 75, according to FamilyDoctor.org.

    Interesting Fact

    • The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse estimates that 15 to 30 million men have this condition. In 1985, 7.7 out of every 1,000 visits to the doctor by men were for ED.

    Causes

    • Common reasons for developing ED include extreme (high and low) blood glucose levels, certain prescription drugs, alcohol intake and even poor relations with a partner.

    Tips

    • 25 percent of ED cases result from drug use (both legal and illegal). So switching to another prescription, or stopping illegal drug use usually helps.

    Treatment

    • Several medications are on the market, such as Viagra, that directly treat ED. However, doctors typically recommend treatment that does not involve medication first, such as living a healthier lifestyle.

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