Learn what a typical Erection problems prognosis is at Consumer Reports Health.

Erection problems

What will happen to me?

You and your partner may be worried that you won't be able to have an erection or enjoy sex again. You may also be worried about what this means for your relationship. These worries may be making it harder to get an erection. You can get into a vicious circle.

Men used to think they just had to put up with erection problems. But now there are treatments that work for most men.

Source:
Jordan GH.
Erectile function and dysfunction.
Postgraduate Medicine. 1999; 105: 131-134, 137-138, 143-144 passim.

¹ If you have treatment, your erection problems and your sex life are likely to get better.

Viagra has been called a "miracle drug" for erection problems. It works for many men, but not for all. There are other treatments. You should be able to find one that works for you.

There are many ways to give and receive sexual pleasure. You don't have to have an erection. It's important to talk about sex with your partner. Your partner may feel that they are to blame for your erection problems. You may both find it difficult to talk about sex. It's important to be very careful about your partner's feelings.

What happens as you get older

There are some natural changes that happen to most men over time.

Source:
Meuleman EJ.
Prevalence of erectile dysfunction: need for treatment?
International Journal of Impotence Research. 2002; 14 (supplement 1): S22-S28.

² These changes don't mean that you'll enjoy sex less, just that it may feel different.

You may have less desire for sex.
Your penis may not get as stiff.
You may not have as much feeling in your penis.
It may take longer to get an erection.
To get an erection, you may need more direct touching of your penis instead of thinking exciting thoughts.
The feeling (orgasm) when you

ejaculation
When a man ejaculates, his penis suddenly releases semen, the white or transparent fluid that carries sperm.

ejaculate may be less intense.
You may have less

semen
Semen is the whitish fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of millions of tiny sperm floating in fluid. Sperm are the part of the semen that can join with a woman's eggs to make her pregnant. Sperm are made in the testicles, and travel through tubes (called the vas deferens) to get to the penis. Along the way, the sperm are joined by fluid that is released from the prostate and seminal vesicles. This fluid helps the sperm to travel and provides them with nutrients.

semen when you ejaculate.
You may not ejaculate every time you have sex.
It may take longer for you to recover from ejaculating before you're ready to have sex again.

Your risk of other medical conditions

Many men find it embarassing to talk about erection problems. But it's a good idea to talk with your doctor. This isn't just because your doctor can prescribe treatments to help with your erection problems.

Another good reason to see your doctor is that erection problems can be an early sign of some serious medical conditions, such as

diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes too much sugar to circulate in your blood. It happens when your body stops making a hormone called insulin (type 1 diabetes) or when insulin stops working (type 2 diabetes).

diabetes or

heart disease
You get heart disease when your heart isn't able to pump blood as well as it should. This can happen for a variety of reasons.

heart disease.

Source:
Lewis RW.
Epidemiology of erectile dysfunction.
Urologic Clinics of North America. 2001; 28: 209-216, vii.

³ If you have one of these illnesses, it's important to start getting treatment as soon as possible.

If you already have diabetes and you start getting erection problems, it's especially important to see a doctor.

Source:
Gazzaruso C, Solerte SB, Pujia A, et al.
Erectile dysfunction as a predictor of cardiovascular events and death in diabetic patients with angiographically proven asymptomatic coronary artery disease: a potential protective role for statins and 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
Journal of American College of Cardiologists. 2008; 51: 2040-2044

⁴ Men with diabetes who get erection problems have a higher-than-average risk of getting a serious heart problem in the next few years. Your doctor can prescribe treatments to help prevent heart problems.

Sources for the information on this page:

Jordan GH.Erectile function and dysfunction.Postgraduate Medicine. 1999; 105: 131-134, 137-138, 143-144 passim.

Meuleman EJ.Prevalence of erectile dysfunction: need for treatment?International Journal of Impotence Research. 2002; 14 (supplement 1): S22-S28.

Lewis RW.Epidemiology of erectile dysfunction.Urologic Clinics of North America. 2001; 28: 209-216, vii.

Gazzaruso C, Solerte SB, Pujia A, et al.Erectile dysfunction as a predictor of cardiovascular events and death in diabetic patients with angiographically proven asymptomatic coronary artery disease: a potential protective role for statins and 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Journal of American College of Cardiologists. 2008; 51: 2040-2044

This information was last updated on Sep 01, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.