ED content online can be confusing because it uses a mix of medical terms and internet shorthand. Here is a quick plain English glossary to help you make sense of what you read.
Erectile dysfunction: Persistent difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex, in a way that affects wellbeing.
Libido: Sexual desire. Libido and erections are related but not identical.
Arousal: The body and mind response to sexual stimulation. Anxiety can blunt arousal.
Morning erections: Erections that occur during sleep and on waking. Their presence can be a useful clue but not a perfect test.
Performance anxiety: Worry about sexual performance that triggers alert mode and makes erections less reliable.
Cardiovascular risk factors: Factors that affect blood vessel health, such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Doctor led assessment: A clinical conversation and, where appropriate, checks to understand contributing factors and next steps.
Situational ED: ED that happens in some situations but not others, often linked with stress or context.
Persistent ED: ED that is present most of the time over weeks or months and deserves assessment.
