Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary You have erection problems if you can't get or keep an erection that is firm enough for you to have sex. Erection problems are also called erectile dysfunction or impotence. It's common to have erection problems every now and then. This is normal. These problems can occur at any age. But they are more common as you get older, when you are more likely to have other health problems. Treatment can help at any age. Erection problems may be caused by physical problems related to the blood vessels, nerves, or hormones. Or they may be caused by mental health issues. They can also be linked to other health problems such as low testosterone levels, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Surgery, such as for prostate cancer, may cause erection problems. Anxiety, stress, and depression may cause erection problems. So can medicines you take for other health problems. Drinking too much alcohol or smoking may cause erection problems. The decision about whether to treat an erection problem is often based on personal preference. It may not be as easy as the decision about whether to treat other medical problems. Erection problems aren't life-threatening. But they can affect how you feel about yourself. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should talk with your doctor about how taking one of these medicines will affect your chances of conceiving. Oral medicines (by mouth) can make treating an erection problem simple and easy. But you should think carefully about whether you want to treat your erection problem before you commit to trying one of these medicines. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) are commonly used oral medicines for erection problems. Examples include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). These medicines work well no matter what is causing the erection problem.footnote 1 These medicines should never be used if you may need to take a nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin. Talk with your doctor about whether medicines for erection problems are safe if you: You may be able to treat some erection problems on your own. Try these tips: If these things don't work for you, don't be embarrassed to talk with your doctor about other things you might try. Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. A while back it began getting more difficult for me to have erections. For me, sex is a very important part of a relationship. I don't want to give this up. So I tried one of the medicines, and I cut back on how much alcohol I drink. It seems to be helping. Marvin, age 67 When I began to have a problem getting an erection, I was pretty upset. I went right to my doctor, and he gave me a medicine to try. It worked all right for me, but he also suggested I talk about this with my wife. When we talked, I discovered she was not all that concerned about having sex as long as I gave her lots of loving attention. Finding other ways to say "I love you" has been important for both of us. William, age 77 I was having trouble getting an erection. The doctor could find nothing physically wrong. I decided to try counseling, and I lost a little weight, too. I have noticed I have less trouble getting an erection now. Carl, age 42 I sometimes have a problem getting an erection. Having sex is not as important to me as it was in the past, and I have some health problems that make taking these medicines risky. I'm not going to take them. Nickolas, age 76 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take medicine for erection problems Reasons not to take medicine for erection problems Being able to have intercourse is important to me. Intercourse is not important to me. I'm not worried about the side effects of medicines. The side effects of medicines worry me. I've made lifestyle changes, and they haven't helped me with my erection problems. I think making some lifestyle changes might help me with my erection problems. I don't mind taking pills. I want to avoid taking pills if I can. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine NOT taking medicine Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. You have erection problems if you can't get or keep an erection that is firm enough for you to have sex. Erection problems are also called erectile dysfunction or impotence. It's common to have erection problems every now and then. This is normal. These problems can occur at any age. But they are more common as you get older, when you are more likely to have other health problems. Treatment can help at any age. Erection problems may be caused by physical problems related to the blood vessels, nerves, or hormones. Or they may be caused by mental health issues. They can also be linked to other health problems such as low testosterone levels, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Surgery, such as for prostate cancer, may cause erection problems. Anxiety, stress, and depression may cause erection problems. So can medicines you take for other health problems. Drinking too much alcohol or smoking may cause erection problems. The decision about whether to treat an erection problem is often based on personal preference. It may not be as easy as the decision about whether to treat other medical problems. Erection problems aren't life-threatening. But they can affect how you feel about yourself. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should talk with your doctor about how taking one of these medicines will affect your chances of conceiving. Oral medicines (by mouth) can make treating an erection problem simple and easy. But you should think carefully about whether you want to treat your erection problem before you commit to trying one of these medicines. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors) are commonly used oral medicines for erection problems. Examples include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). These medicines work well no matter what is causing the erection problem.1 These medicines should never be used if you may need to take a nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin. Talk with your doctor about whether medicines for erection problems are safe if you: You may be able to treat some erection problems on your own. Try these tips: If these things don't work for you, don't be embarrassed to talk with your doctor about other things you might try. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "A while back it began getting more difficult for me to have erections. For me, sex is a very important part of a relationship. I don't want to give this up. So I tried one of the medicines, and I cut back on how much alcohol I drink. It seems to be helping." — Marvin, age 67 "When I began to have a problem getting an erection, I was pretty upset. I went right to my doctor, and he gave me a medicine to try. It worked all right for me, but he also suggested I talk about this with my wife. When we talked, I discovered she was not all that concerned about having sex as long as I gave her lots of loving attention. Finding other ways to say "I love you" has been important for both of us." — William, age 77 "I was having trouble getting an erection. The doctor could find nothing physically wrong. I decided to try counseling, and I lost a little weight, too. I have noticed I have less trouble getting an erection now." — Carl, age 42 "I sometimes have a problem getting an erection. Having sex is not as important to me as it was in the past, and I have some health problems that make taking these medicines risky. I'm not going to take them." — Nickolas, age 76 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take medicine for erection problems Reasons not to take medicine for erection problems Being able to have intercourse is important to me. Intercourse is not important to me. I'm not worried about the side effects of medicines. The side effects of medicines worry me. I've made lifestyle changes, and they haven't helped me with my erection problems. I think making some lifestyle changes might help me with my erection problems. I don't mind taking pills. I want to avoid taking pills if I can. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine NOT taking medicine 1.
Do oral medicines work well to treat erection problems? 2.
Can anyone who is having an erection problem take these medicines? 3.
Can you treat some erection problems on your own? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: November 15, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardErection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?
Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an erection problem?
What causes an erection problem?
Why treat an erection problem?
What do you need to know about these medicines?
What if you don't use these medicines to treat an erection problem?
Compare your options
Personal stories about taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an erection problem?
What causes an erection problem?
Why treat an erection problem?
What do you need to know about these medicines?
What if you don't use these medicines to treat an erection problem?
2. Compare your options
Take medicine for erection problems Don't take medicine What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Take medicine for erection problems Take medicine for erection problems
Don't take medicine Don't take medicine
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
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Equally important
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Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
You're right. Oral medicines work well and are easy to use.
You're right. These medicines should never be used if you may need to take a nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin.
You're right. To treat erection problems, you can make lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or reducing alcohol. Doing sensual exercises with your partner may also help.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
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