Patient Care

Erectile Dysfunction

2023/10/24
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

ED is a condition that has become increasingly common in men. It is the inability to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

An occasional inability to maintain an erection happens to most men and is normal. However, ongoing erection problems are a sign of ED and should be evaluated.

In the past, doctors thought psychological issues primarily caused ED. With better understanding of the disease, we now know that the causes of ED are often multi-factorial. In some cases, ED is one of the first signs of an underlying medical problem.

Common causes of ED include:
  • Heart disease
  • Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic syndrome
Other causes of ED include:
  • Certain prescription medications
  • Tobacco use
  • Alcoholism and other forms of drug abuse
  • Treatments for prostate cancer
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Hormonal disorders such as low testosterone (hypogonadism)
  • Peyronie's disease
  • Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
Psychological causes include:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Poor communication or conflict with your partner
How is ED diagnosed?

Diagnosis of ED includes sexual function history, general medical history, psychosocial history, medication history, physical examination and appropriate laboratory testing.

What are the treatment options for ED?

Treatment follows diagnosis and we provide a range of treatment options, from oral medications to medications administered directly to the penis to a mechanical vacuum device applied to the penis.

Psychological treatment is an important adjunct to managing ED. If the diagnosis suggests a psychological association, it is recommended that you pursue counselling with a qualified psychologist.

Find A Doctor

Click here to access our Find A Doctor directory for a list of doctors treating this condition across our NUHS institutions.

You can search by -
  • Condition name 'Erectile Dysfunction' AND
  • Institution
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National University Health System
  • National University Hospital
  • Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
  • Alexandra Hospital
  • Jurong Community Hospital
  • National University Polyclinics
  • Jurong Medical Centre
  • National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • National University Heart Centre, Singapore
  • National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore
  • NUHS Diagnostics
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  • Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
  • Faculty of Dentistry
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