Erectile Dysfunction - Signs and Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms

Erectile dysfunction is the inability of the penis to become sufficiently rigid to engage in and complete sexual intercourse. It is not specifically known how many men have erectile dysfunction but it is far more common than many realize. Reliable estimates suggest that one of every ten men will suffer the problem at some time during his lifetime.

The problem may manifest itself in several ways. If the dysfunction:

· Is appearing only occasionally, the problem is not likely to be serious; all men experience problems with erections at some time in their lives.

· Develops gradually and persistently, there is probably a physical cause; this is generally the case with chronic impotence.

· Develops abruptly but you still have early-morning erections and are able to have an erection while masturbating, the problem is likely to have a psychological component.

When to seek medical advice

It is recommended that you see your GP if erectile dysfunction persists for more than several weeks. Many websites offer treatments for ED, medications like Viagra and Cialis.

Even if the medications that are offered by websites are genuine, such as Sildenafil (Viagra), these tablets are not suitable for everyone. Therefore, you should only take medication for ED that has been specifically prescribed for you by your GP.

If you have ED, your GP should assess your general state of health because the condition can be the first sign of more serious health conditions, such as heart disease.