Some men have temporary erection problem, but that never means they are suffering from erectile dysfunction. A problem can be termed as erectile dysfunction if it happens regularly. This condition may not persist every time a man wants to indulge in sex, but does occur repeatedly and over a period of time.

The two terms impotence and erectile dysfunction mean the same thing but the correct term is erectile dysfunction as impotence could also mean anxiety, low self-esteem, fear of failure etc.

The signs of erectile dysfunction are

1. Occasional inability to obtain a full erection: Obtaining full erections at some times, such as when asleep (when the mind and psychological issues if any are less present), tends to suggest the physical structures are functionally working.

However the opposite case, a lack of nocturnal erections, does not imply the opposite, since a significant proportion of sexually functional men do not routinely get nocturnal erections or wet dreams.

2. Obtaining erections which are either not rigid or full (lazy erection), or are lost more rapidly than would be expected (often before or during penetration), can be a sign of a failure of the mechanism which keeps blood held in the penis, and may signify an underlying clinical condition, often cardiovascular in origin.

3. Inability of the patient to maintain erection during the period of intercourse

4. Total inability in achieving an erection

5. Inability to attain an erection is generally the only complaint.

6. Sometimes penile dysfunction leads to premature ejaculation or case of spermatorrhoea.

7. Depression accompanied by impotence. Severe depression sometimes signals impotence and conversely impotence might lead to depression.

As it is clear that there are many signs of erectile dysfunctions and it can portend many deadly health problems. Dependable erection may not necessarily be a sign of good health, but a penis that does not rise when required is a warning sign which means something is most likely to awry.

While treating men suffering with erectile dysfunction, most of the doctors check about heart disease because any sort of cardiovascular disease can occur in those men who are suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Another sign of erectile dysfunction is low testosterone. Men suffering from erectile dysfunction generally have low testosterone levels.

Once the above signs are visible or during routine medical examination, these signs come to the notice of patient or physician, it is better to check for erectile dysfunction.

To evaluate erectile dysfunction, a thorough physical examination with history about medical and lifestyle background is necessary.

The causes of erectile dysfunction may be psychological, neurological or due to any other medical condition. Full sexual history is also checked which includes number of sex partners, hardness, stimulation and the duration of erections. The physician should also review medical history, surgery, and medications the patient takes. Once it is confirmed, ED can be treated based on its causes.