Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition where a lack of blood flow or nerve stimulation affects you getting and maintaining erections. It can be caused by a range of physical and psychological conditions like stress, anxiety, or depression. ED could also be the first sign of other health conditions too, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

There are many causes of erectile dysfunction, and they can be both physical and mental. The primary cause for over 70% of people is usually a narrowing of the arteries in the penis, which may be caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. Other potential causes include hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, cycling for long periods of time, and certain medications.

Erectile dysfunction treatments like Viagra are known as PDE5 inhibitors. These treatments relax your blood vessels around the base of your penis, which improves your blood flow. This makes it easier to get and maintain an erection when you’re aroused.