Impotence got you down? Erectile dysfunction or ED is what happens when you cannot achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. You are not alone because erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 18 million men in the U.S. It is a condition that most men have suffered at one time or another in their lives. Failure to perform in the bedroom because you had a bit too much to drink or perhaps worked more than usual and are over tired is one thing. But if you find yourself more and more often unable to "rise to the occasion" you may be suffering from a more chronic condition.

First step: see your doctor for an evaluation. You may feel a bit awkward about this but rest assured your doctor has heard and seen it all before. It is possible that your erection difficulties may indicate a health condition that needs treatment such as diabetes or heart disease. Getting treatment for these issues may be enough to put the ram back in your rod and improve your overall health besides.

It is possible that treating an underlying condition will not help solve your erectile dysfunction. If this turns out to be the case, other direct treatments or medications may help you. Do not lose hope as there are many solutions that may provide you with an erection correction.

Sometimes mental health problems and stress can cause erectile dysfunction, or make ED worse. But ED is usually caused by something physical. Low testosterone, obesity, high blood pressure, tobacco use, and certain prescription medications are some of the common culprits. But there are many more conditions that may be causing your ED that your doctor will help you to discover and overcome.

The treatments for erectile dysfunction are as varied as are the causes of it. Oral medications include Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), Tadalafil (Cialis), and perhaps best known Sildenafil (Viagra). These medicines all work in the same way in that they all enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical produced by your body that relaxes muscles in the penis. This in turn lets the blood flow more freely there which allows you to get an erection when you are sexually stimulated.

Other options include testosterone replacement therapy, the alprostadil penis suppository (involves placing a small alprostadil suppository inside your penis in the urethra) and alprostadil self-injection. With this method you use a fine needle to inject alprostadil into the side or at the base of your penis. Or you may wish to consider implants, surgery or a penis pump.

Relationship tension, depression and stress can be caused by your erectile dysfunction. It may be a good idea to think about seeing a psychologist or counselor for psychological counseling, and perhaps be joined by your partner as well if they are willing to go with you. In the long run sometimes the hard times can be the best times.