How Common is Erectile Dysfunction?

Most experts agree that ED is really common, probably affecting the majority of men at least once throughout their lives.

So, just how common is ED? Here are the key stats you need to know:

• 52% of men will experience ED in some form throughout their lives (Massachusetts Male Aging Study, 1994)
• A third of men may be affected by severe ED (Sexual Medicine, 2018)
• ED could affect as many as 76.5% of men during their lifetime (BJUI Journal, 2019)
• 322 million men will have ED globally by 2025, estimates suggest (Nature, 2000)
• It is normal for men to struggle to get an erection in 20% of cases of sexual activity (Cleveland Clinic)
• Why do the numbers vary so much? Statistics on the prevalence of ED can differ by 16.8% depending on the questionnaire (International Journal of Impotence Research, 2004)

The Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction by Age

ED affects men of different ages differently. But it is not just older men who struggle with the condition. In fact, ED is increasingly reported in younger men too:

• Your risk of ED increases by 10% in every decade of life, estimates suggest. So, if you are in your thirties, you have a 30% chance of having ED (University of Wisconsin Health, 2019)
• Men above 40 are three times more likely to have complete impotence than younger men, according to one estimate (The Journal of Urology, 1994)
• 49.4% of men between 40 and 88 suffer from ED, according to a study of nearly 4,000 Canadian men (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006)
• The incidence of ED in men under the age of 40 is 26%, according to a 2013 study (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013)

What Causes ED? The Stats on Lifestyle Choices and Sexual Health

Age is the most important predictor of erectile dysfunction. But this medical condition is made much more likely by some specific risk factors, including physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking:

• 79% of men with ED are overweight (Pol Merkur Lekarski, 2014)
• Men with obesity may be at a 30 to 90% increased risk of ED (International Journal of Impotence Research, 2008)
• Young men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day are twice as likely to have severe ED (international Journal of Impotence Research, 2005)
• Men are 40% more likely to have ED if they smoke (European Urology, 2005)
• 72% of men who suffer from alcohol abuse have one or more sexual dysfunctions, including reduced erectile function, premature ejaculation, and low libido (Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 2007)
• Men consuming more than 3 units of alcohol a day are 40% more likely to have ED (European Urology, 2004)
• 23% of men who do no exercise have ED (The Conversation, 2018)

ED and Other Health Conditions

ED can be the sign of more general health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. Here are some of the stats you should know:

• People with diabetes are 3.5 times more likely to have ED than the general population. ED affects more than half of men with diabetes mellitus (Diabetic Medicine, 2017)
• The risk of ED is 39% higher in people with depression, while the risk of depression is 192% higher in men with ED, according to one systematic review (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2018)
• 75% of men with cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure (hypertension), suffer from ED (International Journal of Impotence Research, 2008)
• You are 50% more likely to have heart disease if you have ED (Arab Journal of Urology, 2013)
• 70% of men with multiple sclerosis (MS) have ED (Multiple Sclerosis Society)
• 68% of men with Parkinson’s disease suffer from ED (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2007)
• Up to 85% of men experience ED for the first months after prostate surgery (Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 2016)
• 1.7% of ED cases are caused by low testosterone (Journal of Urology, 2002)

Can you Cure ED? What the Stats Show

While the ED data are intimidating, there is good news. Thanks to lifestyle changes and different treatment options, erectile dysfunction is curable. However:

• 85% of men with ED don’t seek treatment (Prostate Conditions Education Council)
• Other studies put that number even higher, at 90% (Journal of the American Medical Association, 1999)
• 71% of men with ED believe their doctor will dismiss their concerns (The American Journal of Cardiology, 2004)
• ED disappears naturally within 5 years in 29% of men, according to one study (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2014)

How Effective is ED Medication?

The data shows that erectile dysfunction medication – such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and other PDE5 inhibitors – can be highly effective in improving sexual function and your quality of life.

• Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is effective in over 80% of cases (International Journal of General Medicine, 2013)
• 80% of men with ED have satisfactory sexual intercourse after taking sildenafil (International Journal of Impotence Research, 2002)
• 81% of men reported improved erections after taking a 20mg dose of tadalafil (Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 2008)
• A 50 or 100 mg dose of Viagra is the most effective medicine for ED, 50% better than a placebo, according to a meta-analysis (European Urology, 2015)
  • The same study found avanafil (Stendra) was the least effective PDE5 inhibitor, only 20 to 30% better than placebo
  • Sildenafil and Cialis cause side effects 21-22% of the time, according to the same study
• Simply walking for 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of ED by 41% (Harvard Medical School)

Key Takeaways

The erectile dysfunction (ED) stats here show just how common the condition is among men of all ages.

But there is hope. Treatment against ED really works. ED treatment makes getting and sustaining an erection easier, helping you have the satisfying sex you deserve.

FAQs

What Percentage of Males Have Erectile Dysfunction?

That depends who you ask. According to the results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, 52% of males will have erectile dysfunction throughout their lives. But other studies put that number higher.

Is Erectile Dysfunction Common in 30 Year Olds?

While it is not normal, erectile dysfunction is not uncommon in 30 year olds. Estimates suggest that 30% of men in their thirties may suffer from ED. That proportion increases with age.

While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.