Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms
Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes called impotence, is the repeated inability
or problem to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word
impotence may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other erection
problems are not involved.
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction include:
- Inability to maintain an erection throughout
intercourse
- Occasional inability to obtain a full erection
- Complete inability to achieve an erection
Erectile dysfunction, can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. These variations make defining ED and estimating its incidence difficult. Estimates range from 15 million to 30 million, depending on the definition used. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), for every 1,000 men in the United States, 7.7 physician office visits were made for ED in 1985. By 1999, that rate had nearly tripled to 22.3. The increase happened gradually, presumably as treatments such as vacuum devices and injectable drugs became more widely available and discussing erectile function became accepted. Perhaps the most publicized advance was the introduction of the oral drug sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in March 1998. NAMCS data on new drugs show an estimated 2.6 million mentions of Viagra at physician office visits in 1999, and one-third of those mentions occurred during visits for a diagnosis other than ED.
Erectile dysfunction is treatable at any age, and awareness of this fact has been growing. More men have been seeking help and returning to normal sexual activity because of improved, successful treatments for ED. Urologists, who specialize in problems of the urinary tract, have traditionally treated ED; however, urologists accounted for only 25 percent of Viagra mentions in 1999.
Experiencing erectile dysfunction on occasion is normal. But if erectile
dysfunction lasts longer than two months or is a recurring problem, see your
doctor for a physical exam or for a referral to a doctor who specializes in
erectile problems. Your own doctor or a specialist can help you determine the
underlying cause or causes of erectile dysfunction and then help you find the
right type of treatment.
Although you might view erectile dysfunction as a personal or embarrassing
problem, it's important to seek treatment, especially if a physical cause might
be to blame.
Erectile Dysfunction
Symptoms to E
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