With a self-explanatory name like “erectile dysfunction”, you might think it to be an incredibly straightforward and easy to understand issue. Despite erectile dysfunction being a very common condition - a study by the Cleveland Clinic found that 30% of men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives.
Articles featured on Noah are purely informational and should not be constituted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. To understand what works best for you, we recommending consulting a licensed doctor.
Learn More About Your HealthCommon Myths About Erectile Dysfunction
With a self-explanatory name like "erectile dysfunction", you might think it to be an incredibly straightforward condition. Despite ED being very common — a study by the Cleveland Clinic found that 30% of men will experience it at some point — there are numerous persistent myths that need to be cleared up.
Myth 1: ED Only Affects Older Men
While it's true that the prevalence of ED increases with age, ED can and does affect men of all ages. Studies have shown that as many as 26% of men under 40 experience ED. In Singapore, ED affects 51.3% of men over 30.
Myth 2: ED Is Just A Normal Part Of Aging
While testosterone levels decline naturally with age, ED is not an inevitable part of getting older. Many older men maintain healthy sexual function throughout their lives. ED is often caused by treatable underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or psychological factors.
Myth 3: ED Is Purely A Psychological Problem
Research finds that while 1 in 5 cases of ED are the result of psychological factors, physical causes are actually more common. ED is often caused by medical conditions that affect blood flow, nerve function, or hormone levels — including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In fact, ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.
Myth 4: ED Means You Are Not Attracted To Your Partner
ED is a medical condition, not a reflection of your feelings for your partner. Many men with strong attraction still experience ED due to physical causes or performance anxiety.
Getting Help For ED
If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is advisable that you consult a doctor. Here at Noah, our doctors are best equipped with the knowledge to help you ascertain the root cause of your erectile dysfunction.
Reading about it is a good start.
Talking to a doctor is better. Answer a few questions online and a licensed Noah doctor will take it from there, privately.
Get started
Articles featured on Noah are purely informational and should not be constituted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. To understand what works best for you, we recommending consulting a licensed doctor.
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Written by our Editorial Team
Last updated 27 Mar 2026
References
Bacon, Constance G et al. “Sexual function in men older than 50 years of age: results from the health professionals follow-up study.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 139,3 (2003): 161-8. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-139-3-200308050-00005
Erectile dysfunction (ED): Causes, diagnosis & treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction
Feldman, H A et al. “Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study.” The Journal of urology vol. 151,1 (1994): 54-61. doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(17)34871-1
Ponholzer, A et al. “Is penile atherosclerosis the link between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk? An autopsy study.” International journal of impotence research vol. 24,4 (2012): 137-40. doi:10.1038/ijir.2012.3
Articles featured on Noah are for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. If you're looking for a healthcare provider, click here.
