Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
  • Home
  • Conditions

    Conditions

    View All
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • DVT
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Lung Disease
    • Lupus
    • Mental Health
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Migraine
    • Pain Management
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • View All
  • Drugs & Supplements

    Drugs & Supplements

    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    • Pill Identifier
    • Interaction Checker
  • Well-Being

    Well-Being

    View All
    • Aging Well
    • Baby
    • Birth Control
    • Children's Health
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Food & Recipes
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Men's Health
    • Parenting
    • Pet Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Teen Health
    • Women's Health
    • View All
  • Symptom Checker
  • Find a Doctor
  • More

    More

    • News
    • Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Newsletters
    • WebMD Magazine
    • Best Hospitals
    • Support Groups
    • Surgeries and Procedures
    • Orthopedics
  • Privacy & More
Log In
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Guide
    • Overview
      • What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
      • Why Can’t I Get an Erection?
    • Symptoms & Risk Factors
    • Testing & Treatment
    • Living & Managing
    • View Full Guide

    Symptoms & Risk Factors

    Erectile dysfunction is different from other conditions that affect sexual intercourse. Here's information on the symptoms of ED, what makes you more likely to develop the condition, and what you can do to lower your risk for it.

    1. Understanding ED Symptoms

      Being unable to have or keep an erection adequate for sexual activity is the defining mark of erectile dysfunction. The problem may manifest itself in several ways.

    2. Slideshow: Common Causes of ED
    3. Drugs That Can Cause ED

      If you are having problems achieving or maintaining an erection, you may want to take a look at your medicine cabinet first. A number of prescription and over-the-counter drugs may cause erectile dysfunction.

    4. ED and Psychological Factors

      Psychological factors like stress, anxiety and depression are responsible for about 10%-20% of all cases of erectile dysfunction.

    5. Other Conditions that Can Cause Impotence

      Many things can lead to ED. Stress, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use often trigger it. In other cases, physical factors like diabetes, kidney disease and blood vessel diseases are the culprit.

    6. Diabetes and ED

      About 35% to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of erectile dysfunction  during their lifetimes.

    7. Blood Vessel Problems and ED

      Vascular diseases, which affect blood flow to the organs, may be the cause of ED in as many as 50% to 70% of men who have it.

    8. Clogged Arteries and ED

      The link between atherosclerosis -- the hardening of the body's arteries -- and erectile dysfunction is well known to doctors. If you have ED, understanding the connection might save your life.

    9. High Blood Pressure and ED

      While many drugs used to treat high blood pressure have been linked to erectile dysfunction, some are much less likely to cause problems. Certain high blood pressure drugs may even improve erectile dysfunction for some men.

    10. Prostate Cancer Treatments and ED

      Prostate cancer is not a cause of erectile dysfunction. However, treatments for the disease can cause it.

    11. Lowering Your Risk for ED

      If you’re at risk of developing erectile dysfunction, taking steps to prevent it – like stopping smoking, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight -- will also help you lead a healthier life overall.

    Top Picks

    Today on WebMD

    Alternative Treatments

    Do supplements, herbal remedies, and more work?

    Get the Facts

    How much do you know about ED?

    What Causes ED?

    Things that can deflate erections.

    Treatments for ED

    How medications work.

    Recommended for You

    Low Testosterone: How to Tell

    What Is ED?

    Life Cycle of a Penis

    Health Solutions from Our Sponsors

    • Penis Curved When Erect?
    • Could I have CAD?
    • Treat Bent Fingers
    • Treat HR+, HER2- MBC
    • Tired of Dandruff?
    • Benefits of CBD
    • Rethink MS Treatment
    • AFib-Related Strokes
    • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
    • Is My Penis Normal?
    • Relapsing MS Options
    • Liver Transplants Save Lives
    • Finance Plastic Surgery
    • Bent Finger Causes
    • Living With Psoriasis?
    • Missing Teeth?

    More from WebMD

    • 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS
    • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
    • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
    • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
    • What Psoriasis Feels Like
    • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
    • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
    • Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease
    • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
    • Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
    • Live Better With Psoriatic Disease
    • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
    • 5 Health Benefits of Hemp
    • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
    • Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
    • Where Breast Cancer Spreads

    Related Links

    • Erectile Dysfunction News
    • Erectile Dysfunction Reference
    • Erectile Dysfunction Slideshows
    • Erectile Dysfunction Quizzes
    • Erectile Dysfunction Medications
    • Find a Doctor
    • Diabetes
    • Drug Interaction Checker
    • Heart Disease
    • Hypertension
    • Living Healthy
    • Low T Assessment
    • Smoking Cessation
    • Policies

      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Editorial Policy
      • Advertising Policy
      • Correction Policy
      • Terms of Use
    • About

      • Contact Us
      • About WebMD
      • Careers
      • Newsletter
      • Corporate
      • WebMD Health Services
      • Site Map
      • Accessibility
    • Our Apps

      • WebMD Mobile
      • WebMD App
      • Pregnancy
      • Baby
      • Allergy
    • For Advertisers

      • Advertise with Us
      • Advertising Policy
    • Visit WebMD on Facebook
    • Visit WebMD on Twitter
    • Visit WebMD on Pinterest
    • TRUSTe
    • TAG Registered Seal
    • Adchoices

    © 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    See additional information.

    Logo for WebMD