Key takeaways

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition affecting up to 77% of men worldwide, increasing with age.
In the U.S., approximately 24% of men experience ED, with rates as high as 52% in those aged 75 and older.
Men with ED have twice the risk of heart attacks and strokes (around 6%) compared to men without ED (around 3%).
Only 25% of men with ED receive treatment, with global spending on ED medications exceeding $1 billion annually.

In this article:

What is erectile dysfunction?
How common is ED?
ED stats by age
ED stats by severity
ED stats by cause
ED stats by race and ethnicity
Common complications
Cost
Treatment
FAQs

In this article

What is erectile dysfunction?
How common is ED?
ED stats by age
ED stats by severity
ED stats by cause
ED stats by race and ethnicity
Common complications
Cost
Treatment
FAQs

Erectile dysfunction affects the sexual health of many men around the world and can make having a good sex life difficult. Understanding what ED is can be a great first step toward seeking treatment. Let’s take a look at some ED statistics and some of the most frequently asked questions about the condition.

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get and maintain an erection that’s firm enough for sexual intercourse. Men who experience ED have decreased blood flow to the penis, which could be caused by many things, from drug side effects to stress or high blood pressure.

Here are the most common signs and symptoms of ED:

Difficulty getting an erection
Difficulty maintaining an erection
Reduced interest in sexual activity
Low self-esteem

If these symptoms are present, a doctor or healthcare provider may diagnose someone with ED. A healthcare provider may also perform a physical exam and ask for a complete medical history. Erectile dysfunction may be a warning sign of more serious underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, so a healthcare provider may order blood tests to check for other medical problems.

How common is ED?

Research indicates that the global prevalence of ED is between 3% and 77%. Therefore, nearly three-quarters of men may face challenges with erectile function in some populations. (BJUI International, 2019)
The rate of ED among men in the United States was found to be around 24%. In other words, around one in four men experience difficulties with erections. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2024)
One in 10 men is estimated to have ED at some point in their lifetime. (Cleveland Clinic, 2019)
In one study of eight countries, the U.S. has the highest rate of self-reported ED (22%). (Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2004)

Erectile dysfunction statistics by age

ED affects approximately 40% of men by their 40s, with the prevalence increasing by about 10% for each subsequent decade of life. For instance, around 50% of men in their 50s experience ED. (Translational Andrology and Urology, 2017)
In a study of 2,660 sexually active men aged 18 to 31 years old, around 11% reported mild erectile dysfunction, while almost 3% experienced moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction. (Journal of Urology, 2021)
More than a third of young military men under 40 experience ED. One study shows that those who are more satisfied with their body image, particularly their genitals, tend to have less anxiety about sex and lower levels of ED. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2015)
Premature ejaculation is more common in younger men than older men. One study found that around 2% of men under 50 have lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) compared to less than 1% of men aged 50 and older. (Sexual Medicine, 2024)

Erectile dysfunction statistics by severity

You can’t research ED statistics without reading about the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) of 1987-1989. Including 1,290 people, MMAS was the most extensive study of ED since 1948. One measurement of ED in the study was the severity of impotence. Here are the results:

Any degree of impotence: 52% of subjects
Minimally impotent: 17% of subjects
Moderately impotent: 25% of subjects
Completely impotent: 10% of subjects

The 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing further assessed the severity of ED and confirmed that the severity is greater in older patients. The study found an overall ED prevalence rate of around 24%, with significantly higher rates among older age groups: about 52% of men aged 75 and older and 48% of those aged 65 to 74 met the diagnostic criteria for ED. Therefore, there’s a clear trend where older men experience more severe forms of ED than their younger counterparts.

Erectile dysfunction statistics by cause

Around 66% of men with diabetes around the world experience erectile dysfunction, indicating nearly two out of three are affected by this sexual health problem. (BMC Public Health, 2024)
Up to 25% of ED cases involve medication, with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and neuropsychiatric drugs having the highest reports of ED-related side effects. (Sexual Medicine, 2022)
Vascular disease is commonly associated with ED. One study found that men with ED were more than twice as likely to also have peripheral arterial disease (PAD). (Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024)
Around 80% of men with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face some level of ED. (World Journal of Nephrology, 2014)
Research shows that 72% to 87% of men with COPD experience ED. A recent study of around 58,000 patients found that men with COPD have a higher rate of moderate to severe ED than others. (Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021)
Smoking cigarettes and using illicit drugs were more common in younger ED patients. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013)
Obesity and diabetes are responsible for 8 million cases of ED. (Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski, 2014)
The majority (79%) of men with ED are overweight (BMI of 25kg/m2 or higher). (Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski, 2014)

	BMI
Underweight	< 18.5 kg/m2
Normal weight	18.5-24.9 kg/m2
Overweight	25-29.9 kg/m2
Obese	≥ 30 kg/m2

You can calculate your BMI here.

Erectile dysfunction statistics by race and ethnicity

Among men aged 40 and older, the prevalence of moderate or severe ED is around 22% in non-Hispanic whites, 24% in non-Hispanic blacks, and 20% in Hispanics. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2007)
One study found that Hispanic men with HIV had a 57% higher incidence of ED than white men with HIV, despite only 9% of participants identifying as Hispanic. (Frontiers in Public Health, 2024)
Another study found that Hispanic men represent about 18% of ED patients, while Black or African American men account for approximately 16% of ED patients. (Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2022)
Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men are less likely to disclose issues with ED than non-Hispanic white men, with response rates of 82% and 81%, respectively, compared to 85% for non-Hispanic whites. (Urology, 2022)

Common erectile dysfunction complications

Sexual function can affect a person’s overall health and quality of life. Many men with ED may experience depression or low self-esteem at some point in time, and ED can put stress on relationships. Many men with ED will complain that their sex lives are less than satisfactory, which is often the main reason they seek medical treatment.

Men with ED experience twice as many heart attacks and strokes (around 6%) in comparison to men who don’t have ED (around 3%). (American Heart Association, 2018)
People with depression have an increased risk of 39% of developing ED. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2018)
Having ED also increases the risk of depression by 192%. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2018)
People with ED are nearly three times more likely to experience depression than those without ED. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2018)
Sexual dysfunction is present in 20% to 25% of infertile couples. (Reproductive Partners Medical Group, 2020)
One in six infertile men is affected by ED or premature ejaculation. (Nature Reviews Urology, 2018)

The cost of erectile dysfunction

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors are the recommended treatment for ED, but these medications won’t be effective in up to 45% of patients. Alternative treatments include injections, vacuum devices, and penile implants.

Only a quarter of men with ED receive treatment. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2014)
One in 4 men who seek ED treatment are younger than 40. (The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013)
Spending for the three most popular ED drugs (Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis) is over $1 billion worldwide every year. (Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2011)
The annual out-of-pocket cost for intraurethral alprostadil (IA) can reach around $4,000, while oral medications cost significantly less at around $700. (International Journal of Impotence Research, 2024)
If ED medications fail, penile prosthesis surgery is the most cost-effective treatment for ED in the long-term. Although they can cost over $20,000, insurance and Medicare generally cover penile implants. (Coloplast) (The Journal of Urology, 2018)

Treating erectile dysfunction

Prescription medication is usually the first type of treatment option for ED. Here are some of the most common PDE5 inhibitors used to treat ED:

However, the efficacy of these medications depends on the root cause of ED. “Sildenafil and tadalafil work, in the same way, to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the penis,” says Leann Poston, MD, a contributor for Ikon Health. “If the cause of ED is not due to a lack of blood flow to the penis, neither drug may be helpful.”

Additionally, a physical cause of ED (i.e., hypertension) can damage blood vessels enough to the point that ED medications won’t work. “If small blood vessels are damaged due to high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol, or diabetes, the vessels will not respond well to these medications, and men will report no benefit,” says Dr. Poston.

Dr. Poston adds that “over time, these medications may lose their effectiveness due to progressive damage to small blood vessels.“ She pointed to two studies to support this:

In a four-year study of sildenafil versus a placebo:

Nearly 4% of men discontinued treatment due to an adverse event (side effect).
Approximately 6% discontinued treatment over the four-year study because the medication was ineffective.

In another study:

About three-quarters (74%) of men reported Viagra worked for them.
Three years later, more than half of the men who were reinterviewed were still taking the drug.
Almost 40% of the men still taking the drug had to increase their dose by 50 mg to achieve an erection.
It took between one and 18 months for treatments to lose their effects.

Doctors and researchers are always looking for new ways to treat ED. Here are some of the latest treatment options for ED that may work for some men:

Shockwave therapy may help treat ED caused by vascular disease. Low-intensity shock waves pass through erectile tissue to help encourage blood flow and blood vessel growth.
Stem cell therapy is the injection of stem cells into the penis. Some minor studies have been done, but more research is needed before the treatment becomes mainstream.
Platelet-rich plasma may help heal wounds and promote new blood vessel growth, so it is being studied as a possible treatment for ED.

Erectile dysfunction questions and answers

At what age do men have trouble getting an erection?

Men can have trouble getting an erection at younger and older ages, but older men have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Around 45% of men aged 65 to 74 develop ED.

How common is erectile dysfunction in your 20s?

Erectile dysfunction is not as common for younger men to experience; it affects about a quarter (26%) of men under the age of 40. Some studies have shown the prevalence of ED to be only 8% for men aged 20 to 29.

What is the main cause of erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction typically occurs because there isn’t enough blood flowing to the penis. However, several health conditions can lead to this problem. Common causes include heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. Low testosterone levels, kidney disease, and prostate cancer can also increase the risk of ED.

How does a man with erectile dysfunction feel?

A man with erectile dysfunction may feel many different things. The condition often leads to low self-esteem, feelings of undesirableness, unattractiveness, embarrassment, or unworthiness. Speaking with a mental health professional or health care professional and being honest with your sexual partner can sometimes help these feelings go away.

Does erectile dysfunction last forever?

Erectile dysfunction does not usually last forever. In most cases, ED is reversible, and the ability to achieve an erection can be restored, depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, ED can last anywhere from a few months to years. However, treatment options are available, and it can be possible to cure ED permanently by managing the root cause.

Erectile dysfunction statistics 2025