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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. But if erectile dysfunction is an ongoing problem, it may cause stress, cause relationship problems or affect your self-confidence.
Even though it may seem awkward to talk with your doctor about erectile dysfunction, go in for an evaluation. Problems getting or keeping an erection can be a sign of a health condition that needs treatment, such as heart disease or poorly controlled diabetes. Treating an underlying problem may be enough to reverse your erectile dysfunction.
If treating an underlying condition doesn't help your erectile dysfunction, medications or other direct treatments may work.
- AUA guideline on the management of erectile dysfunction: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Linthicum, Md.: American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=ed. Accessed Nov. 21, 2009.
- Kolodny L. Erectile dysfunction. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2009. hhttp://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-5974-5..00177-5--s0090&uniq=172836296&isbn=978-1-4160-5974-5#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-5974-5..00177-5%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-1-4160-5974-5. Accessed Nov. 21, 2009.
- Ghanem G, et al. An evidence-based perspective to commonly performed erectile dysfunction investigations. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2008;5:1582.
- Selvin E, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the U.S. The American Journal of Medicine. 2007;120:151.
- Spark RF. Treatment of male sexual dysfunction. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 21, 2009.
- Rohren CH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 17, 2009.
- Park J, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in men's health. Journal of Men's Health. 2008;5:305.
- Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc. Home Entertainment; 2007:174.
- Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc. Home Entertainment; 2007:63.
