What is it?

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. At least 40% of men over the age of 40 suffer some form of ED, and persistent ED affects one in 10 men at any time — a figure that increases with age.

The number of men worldwide with ED is likely to increase from an estimated 152m in 1995 to 322m by 2025, partly because of ageing populations.

How do I get it?

Most cases are due to a physical cause such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and prostate surgery. Others include taking medication such as some antidepressants or blood-pressure tablets, heavy drinking or smoking, and relationship problems.

It is now recognised that ED is often an early warning sign of a more serious circulatory problem, such as a heart attack or stroke, that might occur 3-5 years after ED first develops.

What is the treatment?

Tablets such as Cialis, Levitra or Viagra can help to relax the blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to flow into it when sexually stimulated. Many men and couples can also benefit from psychosexual counselling, especially if the cause is not physical. For more details visit www.40over40.com .

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