Male Sexual Function

Conditions and Treatments

Sexual dysfunction encompasses a wide range of disorders that affects a man's ability to have a satisfactory erection necessary for sexual intercourse. Over 30 percent of all men report some type of sexual dysfunction problem. Although men of all ages are affected by these disorders, they are more common in men over the age of 65. The cause of sexual dysfunction can result from physical and psychological problems.

The most common sexual dysfunction conditions include:

• Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence —A disorder in which a man in unable to maintain and achieve a sufficient erection for sexual intercourse

• Peyronie's Disease — A condition that causes pain and curvature of the penis during an erection

• Priapism — A disorder in which a man experiences a prolonged painful erection not associated with sexual desire

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated November 3, 2008