Impotence or erectile dysfunction affects 10-15 percent of all males and can be emotionally and psychologically disabling for men and their partners. In 80% of erectile dysfunction cases, physical factors such as drugs, blood flow abnormalities, nerve impulse abnormalities or hormonal abnormalities are the major causes. Psychological factors account for the remaining cases and may be attributed to stress, performance anxiety and misinformation about sexuality.

Impotency is defined as An inability to get or maintain an erection, a potential side effect of treatments, e.g., lack of testosterone or damage to the cavernous nerves.

Impotence or erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection, and/or dissatisfaction with the size, rigidity, and/or duration of erections. Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men.

Although in the past it was commonly believed to be due to psychological problems, it is now known that 80 to 90 percent of impotence is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis. Many advances have occurred in both diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.