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There may be some things about you that make you more likely to have problems getting erections.

Men of all ages can have erections. But problems are more likely as you get older. Between the ages of 40 and 70, your chances of not being able to have erections at all (without treatment) go from about 5 percent to 15 percent.¹

But getting older doesn't cause erection problems. It just means you're more likely to have another condition that also causes erection problems.

If you have diabetes, you're almost twice as likely to have erection problems as men who don't have diabetes.²

Having high levels of cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), can make you more likely to get erection problems.¹

Clogged arteries (doctors call this atherosclerosis) can cause damage to many parts of your body, such as your heart and brain. If the arteries to your penis are also clogged, this can cause erection problems.

If you take pills for heart disease, you're about twice as likely to have erection problems.²

Pills for high blood pressure can also cause erection problems.²

You can also get erection problems if you're taking drugs for other conditions.³

• Drugs for depression. These are called antidepressants. Doctors sometimes prescribe them for other conditions, too.
• Drugs for anxiety and similar conditions. The type of drugs that cause erection problems are called benzodiazepines.
• Drugs for schizophrenia and similar conditions. These are called antipsychotics.
• Drugs for heartburn and acid reflux. This is true for certain types of drugs called H2 blockers.
• Drugs for seizures. Two drugs in this group that can cause erection problems are called phenobarbital and phenytoin.
• A drug used for fungal infection. It's an antibiotic called ketoconazole.

If you've had an accident or an operation that damaged the nerves or arteries in your groin or your spinal cord, you're more likely to have erection problems.

Experts disagree over whether smoking cigarettes makes you more likely to have erection problems.^{1 2 4}

But smoking does seem to make erection problems worse if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or arthritis.⁵

Smoking can also cause clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to erection problems.

Some studies show that regularly drinking lots of alcohol can make you more likely to get erection problems.⁶

Using marijuana, cocaine or other illegal drugs can make you more likely to get erection problems.⁶

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 2008. All rights reserved.