Erectile dysfunction

(impotence) is the inability to get or maintain an erection enough to have sex.

Having an erection problem occasionally isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, if erectile dysfunction is an ongoing problem, it can cause stress, affect your confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or maintaining an erection can also be an indicator of an underlying condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease.

If you’re concerned about erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor, even if you feel embarrassed. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition is enough to treat erectile dysfunction. In other cases, medications or other direct treatments may be required.