Until the late 1990s, people rarely spoke openly about erectile dysfunction (also called impotence). But all that changed in 1998 when sildenafil (Viagra), the "little blue pill," hit the market. The first safe, effective, and easy-to-use treatment for erectile dysfunction, Viagra brought the problem out of the bedroom and into the doctor's office.
Since then, more than 750,000 physicians have prescribed Viagra to more than 23 million men worldwide. The trend expanded further in 2003, when the FDA approved two closely related drugs, vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis). Some have even dubbed this phenomenon a second sexual revolution, the first being the advent of birth control pills. Both medications fostered major changes in sexual behavior and the ways in which people think and talk about sexuality.
This isn't to say that talking about erectile dysfunction is easy. In fact, a 2003 study of men ages 50 and older who went to a urologist for other, unrelated problems found that 74% of those who later admitted to having erectile dysfunction were too embarrassed to discuss the problem with their physician.
If you are concerned about erectile function, it's important to understand what erectile dysfunction really is. Failing to have an erection one night after you've had several drinks -- or even for a week or more during a time of intense emotional stress -- is not erectile dysfunction. Nor is the inability to have another erection soon after an orgasm. Nearly every man occasionally has trouble getting an erection, and most partners understand that.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse at least 25% of the time. The penis doesn't get hard enough, or it gets hard but softens too soon. The problem often develops gradually. One night it may take longer or require more stimulation to get an erection. On another occasion, the erection may not be as firm as usual, or it may end before orgasm. When such difficulties occur regularly, it's time to talk to your doctor.
Erectile dysfunction can have many causes. Often, the culprit is clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), which can affect not only the heart but also other parts of the body. In fact, in up to 30% of men who see their doctors about erectile dysfunction, the condition is the first hint that they have heart disease.
Other possible causes of erectile dysfunction include medications and prostate surgery, as well as illnesses and accidents. Stress, relationship problems, or depression can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Regardless of the cause, this problem can often be effectively addressed. For some men, simply losing weight may help. If medications aren't effective for you, a number of other options, including injections and vacuum devices, are available. The possibility of finding the right solution is now greater than ever.
Since then, more than 750,000 physicians have prescribed Viagra to more than 23 million men worldwide. The trend expanded further in 2003, when the FDA approved two closely related drugs, vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis). Some have even dubbed this phenomenon a second sexual revolution, the first being the advent of birth control pills. Both medications fostered major changes in sexual behavior and the ways in which people think and talk about sexuality.
This isn't to say that talking about erectile dysfunction is easy. In fact, a 2003 study of men ages 50 and older who went to a urologist for other, unrelated problems found that 74% of those who later admitted to having erectile dysfunction were too embarrassed to discuss the problem with their physician.
If you are concerned about erectile function, it's important to understand what erectile dysfunction really is. Failing to have an erection one night after you've had several drinks -- or even for a week or more during a time of intense emotional stress -- is not erectile dysfunction. Nor is the inability to have another erection soon after an orgasm. Nearly every man occasionally has trouble getting an erection, and most partners understand that.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse at least 25% of the time. The penis doesn't get hard enough, or it gets hard but softens too soon. The problem often develops gradually. One night it may take longer or require more stimulation to get an erection. On another occasion, the erection may not be as firm as usual, or it may end before orgasm. When such difficulties occur regularly, it's time to talk to your doctor.
Erectile dysfunction can have many causes. Often, the culprit is clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), which can affect not only the heart but also other parts of the body. In fact, in up to 30% of men who see their doctors about erectile dysfunction, the condition is the first hint that they have heart disease.
Other possible causes of erectile dysfunction include medications and prostate surgery, as well as illnesses and accidents. Stress, relationship problems, or depression can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Regardless of the cause, this problem can often be effectively addressed. For some men, simply losing weight may help. If medications aren't effective for you, a number of other options, including injections and vacuum devices, are available. The possibility of finding the right solution is now greater than ever.
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