Navigation
- Introduction
- Risk Factors
- Lifestyle or Psychological Causes
- Physical Causes
- Prognosis
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Lifestyle Changes
- Medications
- Injections or Topical Treatments
- Other Treatments
- Natural Remedies
Temporary erectile dysfunction is very common and usually not a serious problem. Nevertheless, if the condition is persistent, psychological effects can be significant. Erectile dysfunction can have a devastating impact on a relationship and can cause extreme depression, which may become chronic if not treated. When a consistent pattern of sexual dysfunction extends over a prolonged period of time, a serious physical or emotional disorder may be present.
Persistent impotence may also be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, or circulatory problems. For example, in a study of men who had suffered heart attacks, 75% of them had experienced erectile dysfunction on average 68 months before the heart attack.
Erectile dysfunction can also indicate the presence of injuries or the long-term effects of smoking, heavy drinking, or unhealthy diet.