Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD

Penile erection is a complex interaction of the nervous system, blood circulation, hormones, and emotion state. Therefore, symptoms may suggest a psychological problem such as depression, and/or a medical problem such as diabetes. Any one of these conditions can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Symptoms include:

A less firm penis
Fewer erections
Fewer spontaneous nighttime erections

Nerves that cause sensation in the penis differ from those that cause erections, so it is possible to feel sensations without getting an erection. Also, orgasm is possible without erection.

References:

Erectile dysfunction. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed January 29, 2021.

Rew KT, Heidelbaugh JJ. Erectile dysfunction. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(10):820-827.

Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes. Accessed January 29, 2021.

What are the symptoms of ED? Urology Care Foundation website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed January 29, 2021.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 1/29/2021

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