Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, as it’s sometimes known, is when a man isn’t able to get an erection, or an erection that lasts long enough for sex. It’s reckoned that it affects up to about half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 at some stage in their lives, so it’s more common than you might think. This number could be even higher still, as many men don’t seek treatment for it.
ED is caused by blood vessels at the base of the penis being too narrow, and so there’s an insufficient blood supply to the penis. It can be triggered by a range of factors, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, being overweight, or excessive alcohol and drug use.
It can have a psychological cause too, such as stress, depression and anxiety.
Most men experience it now and again, and it usually sorts itself out. But sometimes, it can persist, and require some treatment to tackle it.