Since its recent recognition as a serious problem one of the challenges for health professionals has been to define what erectile dysfunction really is.

Before the term erectile dysfunction was used the condition was called impotence which suggested sexual inadequacy. This term however was seen in the medical community as an incorrect name since the problem was more of a physical disability.

The more popular definition of erectile dysfunction is:

The inability of a man to have and keep an erection for a sufficient length of time so that sexual intercourse can occur.

Other definitions are:

The consistent inability to have and sustain an erection long enough to allow for a satisfying sexual activity.

The difficulty in getting and keeping an erection for a period of time long enough to engage in sexual intercourse.

When a man is unable to have an erection to have sex or is unable to hold one long enough complete a sexual encounter.

All these definitions are all saying the same thing but in different ways. They all speak to the fact that with erectile dysfunction the man is unable to have an erection and keep it. Yet many men on occasion are unable to neither have an erection nor keep one due to things like stress, being tired, or mood they are in.

On other occasions they are able to have an erection without any problems at all. Situations like this are not considered to fall within the ambit of any definition of erectile dysfunction and so are not considered to be erectile dysfunction.

If however, as some of the definitions of erectile dysfunction suggests, the problem of not being able to have and hold an erection persists for an extended period of time and happens each time a sexual activity is undertaken then this would be considered to be within the boundaries of the definition of erectile dysfunction.

Thus the frequency and consistency of the occurrence of the lack of an erection is what drive any definition and diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. The problem must be consistent.

The definitions also cover any inconsistent ability to have an erection and having an erection for a very short period of time, possibly only seconds. Thus any one definition may be found wanting since erectile dysfunction covers a wide range of happenings.

In some cases there is total inability to have erections, in others there is an erection but it does not last for long and still in others an erect occurs but its occurrence is not frequent enough. Whatever the situation it is important that persons seek medical advices before taking any kind of treatment.