How many guys have erectile dysfunction

These include physical and emotional factors — both of which are important for sexual activity. Some contributing factors include:. At any age, making adjustments such as lowering levels of stress and exercising more frequently can help improve erectile problems and boost overall health.

Age is a main risk factor for ED. While people are more likely to develop ED as they get older, aging does not directly cause it. ED is not a normal part of aging — some males are sexually active into their 80s. However, as people get older, they are more likely to develop medical conditions that increase the risk of ED. These include:. In fact, diabetes and atherosclerosis are the two most common medical problems that cause ED.

Meanwhile, erectile problems can be a side effect of medications that people are more likely to take as they get older, such as blood pressure medications, tranquilizers, and ulcer medications. These vary widely and can include psychological, neurological, and lifestyle-related factors. ED can also be a side effect of some medications.

Stress, anxiety, and lifestyle factors can contribute to ED at any age, while physical factors are more likely to play a role for older adults. Physical causes include conditions that affect the vascular system, the nervous system, or the hormone system. Some of these causes include:. In many cases, ED is caused by factors such as an unhealthful diet, a high level of stress, a lack of exercise, and smoking.

By addressing these issues, people can often improve or resolve their ED symptoms. The study is published in the February 1, , issue of the American Journal of Medicine. The overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction among men in the United States was 18 percent. Men aged 70 and older were much more likely to report having erectile dysfunction compared to only 5 percent in men between the ages of 20 and Does erectile dysfunction have another name?

How common is erectile dysfunction? Who is more likely to develop erectile dysfunction? What are the complications of erectile dysfunction? What is erectile dysfunction?

You have ED when you can get an erection sometimes, but not every time you want to have sex can get an erection, but it does not last long enough for fulfilling or satisfactory sex are unable to get an erection at any time Health care professionals, such as primary care providers and urologists , often can treat ED. This may be because doctors and researchers use different definitions of how often erection issues must occur in order to be considered ED.

Having trouble getting an erection more than 50 percent of the time can indicate a medical issue. When you become sexually excited, the muscles in the penis relax and blood flow to the penis increases. Blood fills two chambers of spongy tissue that run along the length of the penis called the corpora cavernosa. According to the Mayo Clinic , causes can be physical or mental, and can include:.

People who have one of the following risk factors have a higher chance of developing ED:. Treatment for ED involves targeting the underlying cause. Your doctor can help you figure out the best treatment. A review looked at the effect of exercise on ED caused by inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. The researchers found that minutes of weekly aerobic activity for 6 months can help decrease ED symptoms.

Quitting smoking , minimizing alcohol intake, and following a healthy diet can also help improve ED symptoms. Medication is often one of the first ED treatment options men try. These medications increase blood flow to the penis.