The Generic Prescription

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called “impotence,” is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word “impotence” may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved.

Erectile dysfunction can be a total inability to achieve erection for sexual intercourse, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. It is estimated that between 15 million and 30 million American men experience erectile dysfunction. However, the condition’s broad variations make it difficult to define it or estimate its incidence. In older men, the cause is usually something physical like disease, injury, or side effects of drugs; but any disorder that causes injury to the nerves or impairs blood flow in the penis can potentially cause erectile dysfunction.

ED is treatable at any age, and awareness of this fact has been growing. More men have been seeking help and returning to normal sexual activity because of improved, successful treatments for ED. Urologists, who specialize in problems of the urinary tract, have traditionally treated ED; however, urologists accounted for only 25 percent of Viagra mentions in 1999.