Erectile Dysfunction - The Basic Facts
Erectile dysfunction, also called ED or impotence, is a sexual condition that impacts an estimated 1 in 10 men.
Men that suffer from ED are unable to get or maintain an erection, leaving them incapable of partaking in sexual intercourse.
An erection occurs when blood enters and is retained within sponge-like bodies in the penis. This increase in blood flow causes the penis to elongate, swell and harden, make penetration and eventual ejaculation possible.
In an impotent male, the blood fails to properly engorge these cells and the penis remains flaccid, regardless of sexual stimulation or arousal.