Erection problems (impotence) are very common, particularly in men over 40. It's usually nothing to worry about, but you should see your GP if it keeps happening.
Causes of erection problems
Most men occasionally fail to get or keep an erection.
It can be caused by:
- stress
- tiredness
- anxiety
- drinking too much alcohol
If it happens more often, it may be caused by some physical diseases, for example diabetes or some mental health problems.
See your GP or go to a sexual health clinic if erection problems keep happening. It could be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Diagnosing erectile dysfunction
Speak to your GP if you are having erection problems. They will carry out checks and tests.
What happens at your appointment
The doctor or nurse will ask about your lifestyle and relationships, and any problems you might be having.
They'll carry out basic health checks, such as taking your blood pressure.
They'll also examine your genitals to rule out any obvious physical cause.
If you have symptoms like needing to pee more often, your GP may also need to examine your prostate.
They might have to examine your bottom (rectal examination).
Treatment for erection problems
There are specific treatments for some of the causes of erectile dysfunction.
| Possible cause | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Possible cause Narrowing of penis blood vessels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol | Treatment Medicine to lower blood pressure, statins to lower cholesterol |
| Possible cause Hormone problems | Treatment Hormone replacement (for example, testosterone) |
| Possible cause Side effects of prescribed medication | Treatment Change to medicine after discussion with GP |
Medicine called PDE5 inhibitors are often used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Things you can do to help with erectile dysfunction
Healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help erectile dysfunction.
Do
-
lose weight if you're overweight
Don't
-
do not cycle for a while – cycling can damage nerves and compress arteries in the penis if you cycle for more than 3 hours a week
-
do not drink more than 17 standard drinks a week
Vacuum pumps
Vacuum pumps encourage blood to flow to the penis, causing an erection.
They work for most men and can be used if medicine is not suitable.
Speak to your GP about where to get one.
Emotional (psychological) problems
It's more likely to be an emotional problem if you only have erection problems some of the time. For example, you still get erections in the mornings, but not during sexual activity.
Anxiety and depression can be treated with counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
A GP might recommend sex therapy. This could be on its own or in combination with other psychotherapy.
Read more about talking therapies
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
