Is There a Cure for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)? 8 Curable Causes and Common Treatments

If you have a history of erectile dysfunction (ED) you may be wondering if there’s hope for a cure. There’s no single cure for erectile dysfunction. 

Some erection problems are curable, while others are not. It all depends on what’s causing your erection problems. Sometimes ED can be permanent, especially if you have damaged nerves and blood vessels in your penis. But other times ED can be reversed and cured.

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is defined as regular difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. The key word here is “regular.” Everyone has problems getting hard from time to time. But when successful erections become the exception more than the rule — or when they flat out don’t happen anymore — that’s when it becomes ED. 

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But ED can be a sign that something else is happening inside the body. After all, getting and maintaining an erection is a complex process. It involves many different parts, such as:

• Blood vessels

• Nerves

• Muscles

• Brain 

• Psychology

With so many steps, it’s not surprising that problems can happen along the way. Luckily, not all causes of ED are permanent, and not all of them are serious. Let’s take a closer look at whether or not ED is curable. 

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Quiz: Is it erectile dysfunction?

Can erectile dysfunction be cured?

Erectile dysfunction can be reversed or cured, but it depends on the cause. With the right diagnosis, support, and treatment, it’s often possible for erectile dysfunction to go away permanently — even without the need for ED medications like sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis).

Let’s run eight curable causes of ED. These are causes of ED that, when avoided or treated, can fix erection problems without the need for medication, surgery, injections, or implants.

1. Medication side effects

At least 1 in 4 cases of ED are caused by medication side effects. There are over 100 different types of medications that can affect sexual function including:

• High blood pressure medications, especially thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, loop diuretics, and spironolactone

• Antidepressants, especially SSRIs and SNRIs

• Prostate and hair-loss medications like finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart)

• Acid reflux medications like H2 blockers 

• Some antihistamines

• Opioid painkillers like hydrocodone and oxycodone

• Parkinson’s medications

• Some hormone therapies like those used for prostate cancer

Talk with your healthcare team if you’re taking one of these medications. They might recommend that you lower your dose, stop taking it, or switch to another medication with a lower risk for ED. Changing your medication may reverse your ED symptoms.

2. Substances, nicotine, and alcohol

Some people think that alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methadone, amphetamines, or barbiturates can help with sexual confidence and arousal. But the truth is quite the opposite. All of these substances can make it much more difficult to get and maintain a satisfying erection. 

And regularly consuming 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day can lower testosterone in men, contributing to worsening ED, too.  

Likewise, nicotine (both smoked and vaped) can worsen ED. Cigarette smoking is strongly linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), all of which can worsen ED. But here’s some good news: The effect of smoking on ED may be a reversible one. 

Try limiting or cutting out alcohol, nicotine, and substances from your usual routine. You may find that your ED symptoms lessen or go away altogether.  

3. High body fat

High body fat, especially around the waist, can cause ED by increasing your risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. High body fat also lowers testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels affect your sex drive and ability to maintain an erection (more about that next).

Lowering your body fat may help lessen ED symptoms. Talk with your healthcare team about strategies you can use to manage your body fat percentage. Your team may recommend diet and activity changes as well as medications. 

4. Hormone imbalances

Hormonal changes can also cause erection problems. These include: 

• Low testosterone levels

• High prolactin levels

• Abnormal thyroid hormone levels

• Abnormal cortisol levels

Simple lab tests can diagnose all of these hormone problems. If you have a hormonal imbalance, treating it can improve related ED symptoms.

5. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

People who experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are more likely to develop ED than in those without OSA. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why this is, but it seems to be related to low blood oxygen levels overnight.

ED caused by OSA can be reversed. Talk with your healthcare team if you have symptoms of sleep apnea. They can help you get a diagnosis and treatment for your sleep apnea. If you already have a diagnosis of sleep apnea, work with a sleep specialist to get the right treatment. Treatment can help reverse your ED. A 2013 study of men with OSA and ED showed that treatment with an overnight breathing mask (CPAP) to raise low blood oxygen levels improved sexual function. 

6. Psychological or emotional causes

The brain plays an important role in jump-starting the physical processes that lead to an erection. That’s why psychological or emotional distress can cause ED. This can include:

• Performance-related anxiety

• Traumatic past experiences

• Relationship difficulties

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Depression

These can all cause ED. In many cases, ED happens as a result of both mental and physical health issues. But there are different ways to heal these issues and, in turn, help ED symptoms. Options include counseling, psychotherapy, and treatments for stress, anxiety, and depression.

There’s also evidence that couples therapy improves outcomes in 7 in 10 couples affected by ED.

7. High cholesterol

Too much cholesterol in the blood can damage blood vessels, including those in the penis. And if the blood vessels in the penis aren’t healthy, this can cause ED. 

There’s pretty convincing evidence that if you can lower your high cholesterol levels, you can improve any ED symptoms you may have, too. Research suggests that men with high cholesterol and ED who take statins (cholesterol-lowering medications) like atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin can see a 25% improvement in their erectile function, regardless of age. 

8. Biking

Riding a bike is thought to be a reversible cause of ED. The theory is that spending long periods of time in the bike saddle can put pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that supply the penis, causing numbness and sometimes ED.

If you bike often and experience ED, simple changes to your bike seat may improve your ED symptoms. Serious bikers with ED should choose wide seats without a nose and make sure that the seat is at the right height and not tilted up. If you bike for fun or exercise, you can also consider switching to a recumbent bike. Research suggests that biking in a reclined position doesn’t lower the blood flow to the penis. 

Types of erectile dysfunction that are permanent

There are many more causes of ED than the eight described above. And many people experience ED for more than one reason. A cure isn’t always possible for people with other causes of ED. 

ED is usually permanent when it’s caused by a condition that affects the nerves or blood vessels in the body, or structural problems with the penis. Permanent causes of ED include the following.

Nerve problems

Any problem affecting nerves in the body can also interrupt the nerve messages between the penis and the brain. This includes injuries to the spinal cord or brain, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and strokes. 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

There’s a high rate of ED in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are on dialysis. There are many reasons for this, likely including nerve damage, blood vessel damage, low testosterone levels, depression, and medication (especially blood pressure medication and antidepressants). 

Prostate cancer surgery and radiotherapy

Surgery to the pelvic area (such as the removal of the whole prostate) or radiotherapy to the pelvic area (like for prostate cancer) can permanently damage blood vessels and blood flow to the penis as well as nerve pathways to and from the penis.

Structural problems with the penis

Conditions affecting the penis itself — like curvature, cavernous fibrosis (tissue scarring), or penile fracture — can affect its ability to become erect. 

What are the current treatments for erectile dysfunction?

There are safe and effective medications for ED called PDE5-inhibitors. These medications can help lessen or even eliminate your ED symptoms even if your ED isn’t curable. Common ED treatments include:

• Sildenafil (Viagra) 

• Tadalafil (Cialis)

• Vardenafil (Levitra)

• Avanafil (Stendra)

You may need to try one or more of these medications to find the best fit for your ED symptoms. Many people alternate medications and doses until they find what works for them. Work with your healthcare team to find the right combination for you. 

Can natural remedies cure erectile dysfunction?

There are no supplements or complementary therapies that are scientifically proven to cure ED. 

Remember that nonprescription treatments marketed as cures for ED aren’t regulated. That means that, at best, they’ll have no effect. At worst, they may contain dangerous ingredients that could be harmful for your health. In fact, the FDA warns against using nearly 50 “male-enhancement” products, as they “may pose a significant health risk.”  

That said, there are some changes you can make that can help your ED treatment work better. These changes may also stop your ED from getting worse. Try these natural remedies for ED:

• Prioritize getting regular, good quality sleep.

• Learn and practice relaxation and mindfulness techniques.

• Eat a balanced diet that’s rich in fresh produce, lean protein, and minimally processed foods.

• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

• Get regular moderate exercise, 3 to 5 days a week.

Can therapy cure erectile dysfunction?

Therapy can directly treat some types of ED. But even if you have a type of ED that can’t be cured with therapy, it can be a great way to get support. Different types of therapy that can help include:

• Sex therapy: This can help you understand your thoughts and feelings about sex and erections. Sex therapy doesn’t involve any touching between you and the therapist, though you may have intimate “homework” exercises to do on your own (or with a partner). 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a type of therapy where you explore your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. CBT is helpful for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, which can contribute to ED. There’s also evidence that it can directly help with ED — especially when combined with classic sex therapy techniques. 

• Couples therapy: This can be helpful if your relationship is affecting your ability to have an erection. It can also help you and your partner learn to communicate well and support each other through sexual challenges.    

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Written by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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