Guide
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction and When to See a Doctor
Erectile dysfunction has many causes: blood vessel and heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone, nerve damage, some medicines, and stress, anxiety or depression. It can be an early warning of heart disease. See a doctor if it keeps happening, if you have diabetes or heart disease, or if you have other symptoms. A supplement is not a first step.
Written by the Stallion Power label deskUpdated
The usual suspects01
What are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction?
ED is often a symptom of something else. The public health sources group the causes into body, medicine, mind and lifestyle.
NIDDK says ED may be a symptom of another health problem (NIDDK, ED causes). Mayo Clinic lists physical causes that include heart disease, clogged blood vessels, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, tobacco use, alcohol overuse, sleep conditions and low testosterone (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Body conditions | Diabetes; chronic kidney disease; obesity or overweight; COPD; atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and stroke; low testosterone; thyroid imbalance; nerve damage; enlarged prostate; Peyronie's disease (NIDDK, ED causes) |
| Mind and mood | Anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, low self-esteem, lack of confidence (NIDDK, ED causes) |
| Lifestyle | Too little physical activity, too much alcohol, smoking, recreational or illicit drugs (NIDDK, ED causes) |
| Medicines | See the next section (NIDDK, ED causes) |
Most men have more than one cause at a time. A man with high blood pressure may also smoke and feel anxious about sex. A doctor sorts out which factors matter most, and several of them can be changed (NIDDK, ED treatment).
The basics guide explains how an erection works, which helps make sense of the list.
A warning light02
Can ED be an early warning sign of heart disease?
Yes, it can. Harvard Health says ED may be an early warning sign of other serious health problems such as heart disease or high blood pressure (Harvard Health, ED). The AUA guideline tells clinicians to counsel men that ED is a risk marker for underlying cardiovascular disease (AUA, Erectile Dysfunction Guideline). Mayo Clinic also calls ED a risk factor for heart disease (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
The link makes sense, because both ED and heart disease depend on healthy blood vessels. The sources do not say how many men with ED have heart disease, so we will not give a figure.
ED is a reason for a check-up, including blood pressure and cholesterol, even if the bedroom is the only place you notice a change. Treating the cause can protect more than your sex life. A supplement that makes you feel less worried may delay that check.
If you already have heart disease, sex is not automatically off the table. The American Heart Association says it is probably safe to have sex if your heart disease has stabilized, and to ask a health care professional for an evaluation first (AHA, Sexual activity and heart disease). Do not stop heart medicines because of concerns about sex drive (AHA, Sexual activity and heart disease).
Your medicine cabinet03
Can medications cause ED?
They can. NIDDK lists antidepressants, appetite suppressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medicines and diuretics, chemotherapy and hormone medicines, some pain relievers, sedatives and ulcer medicines (NIDDK, ED causes). Mayo Clinic adds some prostate medicines (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Never stop a prescription because you suspect it is the cause. NIDDK's advice is plain: do not stop taking any medicines on your own (NIDDK, ED treatment). A clinician can check whether a medicine for another condition is causing the problem and may change the dose or the drug.
Bring a full list to the visit. Include over-the-counter products, herbs and supplements. The supplements and medications guide explains why the supplement part matters for interactions.
Head games04
Can anxiety cause ED?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness and low self-esteem are all on the NIDDK list of mental and emotional causes (NIDDK, ED causes). Mayo Clinic adds relationship issues (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Mental causes are real causes. NIDDK says counseling can help when mental or emotional issues contribute (NIDDK, ED treatment). Mayo Clinic lists easing stress and getting help for anxiety or depression as prevention steps (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
The mind and the body often overlap, which is a reason to see a clinician instead of guessing.
At the visit05
What tests might a doctor order for ED?
The AUA guideline says men with ED symptoms should have a thorough medical, sexual and psychosocial history, a physical exam, and selective lab testing (AUA, Erectile Dysfunction Guideline). It names one test: morning total testosterone should be measured in men with ED (AUA, Erectile Dysfunction Guideline).
A testosterone test is a blood sample, usually taken in the morning between 7 and 10, when levels are typically highest (MedlinePlus, Testosterone test). The sources we read do not list the other lab tests, and the right set depends on your history. Ask your clinician which ones apply to you.
- History. Expect questions about your health, medicines, mood, relationships and when the problem began.
- Exam. A physical exam checks for signs of conditions on the cause list.
- Selected labs. Morning testosterone is one; others depend on your case.
- Plan. Clinicians treat the underlying cause when possible and may suggest lifestyle steps, counseling or medicine (NIDDK, ED treatment).
The AUA guideline also says clinicians should inform men about oral PDE5 inhibitors, their benefits and risks, unless they are contraindicated (AUA, Erectile Dysfunction Guideline). Those are prescription drugs. Stallion Power is a dietary supplement, not one of them.
Stallion Power: from $49 a bottle30 gummies a bottle · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day guarantee
See packsThe decision06
When should I see a doctor about ED?
Start with your main health care professional if you are worried about your erections (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Mayo Clinic advises seeing a doctor if you are worried about erections, if you have diabetes, heart disease or another condition that may be linked, or if you have other symptoms along with ED (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Worried about erections, or it keeps happening | Book a visit with your main health care professional (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction) |
| You have diabetes, heart disease or another linked condition | Book a visit and mention ED (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction) |
| ED with other new symptoms | Book a visit soon (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction) |
| Chest pain, fainting, or dizziness during sex | Call the doctor and avoid sex until told otherwise; chest pain needs emergency care (MedlinePlus, Sildenafil) |
| An erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, or sudden vision or hearing loss | Seek care right away (NIDDK, ED treatment) (MedlinePlus, Sildenafil) |
Do not order ED medicine online without a clinician. NIDDK says to talk with a health care professional before using dietary supplements, and not to order ED medicine online before consulting one (NIDDK, ED treatment).
Not only older men07
Is ED normal in men under 40?
It is not rare, but we found no source that gives a figure for men under 40 only. NIDDK's wording is that by age 40 about 40 percent of men are affected (NIDDK, ED definition and facts), which tells you it is not unusual.
The causes on the lists apply at any age, and in younger men the mental, lifestyle and medicine causes often deserve a close look: stress, anxiety, smoking, alcohol, recreational drugs and certain medicines (NIDDK, ED causes). Mayo Clinic says ED is not a typical part of aging, and that it can be a sign of a condition that needs treatment (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction). Being young is not a reason to skip the visit.
About Stallion Power08
Where a supplement fits
The label says the gummy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It does not treat ED, and it cannot tell you why your erections changed. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold (FDA, Q&A on dietary supplements).
If you use it, keep every prescribed medicine, check who it is for first, and read the side effects page. Beware of products that promise a fast fix. Some sold for sexual enhancement have been found to hide prescription drugs (NCCIH, Using Dietary Supplements Wisely); see our guide to tainted products.
Questions09
ED causes and doctor questions
What are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction?
Heart and blood vessel disease, diabetes, obesity, low testosterone, nerve damage, some medicines, and stress, anxiety or depression (NIDDK, ED causes) (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Can ED be an early warning sign of heart disease?
Yes. Harvard Health calls it a possible early warning of heart disease or high blood pressure (Harvard Health, ED).
Can medications cause ED?
Yes. Antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and others can. Do not stop a medicine on your own (NIDDK, ED causes) (NIDDK, ED treatment).
Can anxiety cause ED?
Yes. Anxiety, depression and stress are listed mental causes, and counseling can help (NIDDK, ED causes) (NIDDK, ED treatment).
What tests might a doctor order for ED?
A history, a physical exam and selected labs, including morning total testosterone (AUA, Erectile Dysfunction Guideline).
When should I see a doctor about ED?
When you are worried, if it keeps happening, if you have diabetes or heart disease, or if other symptoms appear with it (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Is ED normal in men under 40?
It is not rare, but it still deserves a check. The same causes apply at any age (NIDDK, ED causes) (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
FAQ10
Stallion Power questions people ask
What are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction?
Heart and blood vessel disease, diabetes, obesity, low testosterone, nerve damage, some medicines, and stress, anxiety or depression (NIDDK, ED causes) (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Can ED be an early warning sign of heart disease?
Yes. Harvard Health calls it a possible early warning of heart disease or high blood pressure (Harvard Health, ED).
Can medications cause ED?
Yes. Antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and others can. Do not stop a medicine on your own (NIDDK, ED causes) (NIDDK, ED treatment).
Can anxiety cause ED?
Yes. Anxiety, depression and stress are listed mental causes, and counseling can help (NIDDK, ED causes) (NIDDK, ED treatment).
What tests might a doctor order for ED?
A history, a physical exam and selected labs, including morning total testosterone (AUA, Erectile Dysfunction Guideline).
When should I see a doctor about ED?
When you are worried, if it keeps happening, if you have diabetes or heart disease, or if other symptoms appear with it (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Is ED normal in men under 40?
It is not rare, but it still deserves a check. The same causes apply at any age (NIDDK, ED causes) (Mayo Clinic, Erectile dysfunction).
Who wrote this11
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, NIDDK, AHA and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Gostallionpower, a Stallion Power U.S. merchant desk, not by the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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