Impotence
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Impotence test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Try one of these related symptoms.
Premature ejaculation
Impotence
Delayed ejaculation
Low libido
No sex drive
Losing erection with new partner
Sudden loss of erection
Unable to maintain an erection
Difficulty maintaining erection
About the Symptom
Erectile dysfunction or impotence describes consistent and recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sex.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- double vision
- Headache
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
- Difficulty breathing / breathlessness
- Muscle weakness in the limbs
Possible Causes
Generally, Impotence can be related to:
- Erectile Dysfunction
Idiopathic erectile dysfunction is a sexual dysfunction in which the penis fails to become or remain erect during sexual activity. Idiopathic means the cause is unknown.
- Low Testosterone
Low testosterone, or late-onset hypogonadism, is a condition characterized by reduced levels of testosterone in aging males, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, reduced libido, depression, and decreased muscle mass.
- Hyperprolactinemia
Excessively high prolactin (hormone that releases milk) levels in the blood. Causes include medications and brain tumors.
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy
- Adjustment Disorder
- Pituitary Adenoma
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Striatal Substantia Nigra Degeneration
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you worried about your sexual performance because you can't get or keep an erection for sex?
- How long have you had difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection?
- How is your difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection now?
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Nao Saito, MD (Urology)
After graduating from Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Dr. Saito worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Toda Chuo General Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, and Ako Chuo Hospital before becoming Deputy Director (current position) at Takasaki Tower Clinic Department of Ophthalmology and Urology in April 2020.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Impotence quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Inability to maintain an erection
- Difficulty keeping erection
- Experiencing dysfunction or difficulties with the functioning of the penis
- My penis is not standing
- Trouble getting erection
Find Similar Symptoms
Symptoms from similar body parts
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
FAQs
Q.
Can’t Reach Orgasm? Why Your Body Is Non-Responsive & Medical Next Steps
A.
Trouble reaching orgasm is common and often treatable; causes include stress and mental health factors, antidepressants and other medications, hormone shifts, aging-related changes, relationship or technique mismatches, and nerve or blood flow problems from conditions like diabetes or after pelvic surgery. If it is persistent, new, distressing, or paired with pain, numbness, reduced sensation, erectile changes, or other health symptoms, see a clinician who can review your history and meds, examine you, and order targeted labs such as testosterone, thyroid, glucose, and prolactin to guide treatment like medication adjustments, counseling or sex therapy, hormone care, pelvic floor therapy, and lifestyle changes. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps, including when to seek urgent care, are covered below.
References:
* Shifren, J. L., & Segraves, R. T. (2017). Male Anorgasmia: A Systematic Review of Etiology and Treatment. *Journal of Sexual Medicine*, 14(7), 981–987. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28526553/
* De Sante, L. A., & Clayton, A. H. (2018). Sexual dysfunction in depression and anxiety. *Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry*, 84(Pt A), 46–53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28859942/
* Komisaruk, B. R., Wise, R. D., & Whipple, B. (2020). The neurobiology of orgasm: current understanding and future directions. *Sexual Medicine Reviews*, 8(1), 166–173. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31662241/
* Worsley, R., Goldmeier, D., & Pfaus, J. G. (2021). Female Orgasm Dysfunction: A Contemporary Review. *Sexual Medicine Reviews*, 9(3), 398–410. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33931327/
* Shifren, J. L., & Al-Safi, Z. A. (2023). Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Review. *Current Sexual Health Reports*, 15(3), 141–152. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37602073/
Q.
Is It Just Stress? Why Your Penis Is ‘Misfiring’ & Medically Proven Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. Stress can make your penis misfire in the moment, but frequent or persistent issues, fewer morning erections, or risks like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or smoking often point to physical causes such as blood flow, nerve, hormone, or medication effects, and ED can be an early sign of cardiovascular disease; see the complete explanation below. Medically proven next steps include an honest self check or symptom screener, timely discussion with a doctor for evaluation and labs, lifestyle improvements, addressing stress or performance anxiety, and considering FDA approved medications when appropriate, with urgent care for chest pain, a prolonged erection, or sudden neurologic symptoms. Important exceptions and how to choose your best next step are detailed below.
References:
* Shamloul R, Ghanem H. Psychological Distress and Erectile Dysfunction: A Narrative Review. Sex Med Rev. 2022 Jan;10(1):64-70. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.08.003. Epub 2021 Sep 10. PMID: 35010620; PMCID: PMC8719588.
* Yafi FA, Shiers SM, Kan-Dydo J, Sayegh N, Sadek F, Shahrour W, Azizi M, Jani S, Perito P, Ziegelmann MJ, Albersen M, Hatzimouratidis K. Update on the mechanisms of erectile dysfunction. Transl Androl Urol. 2021 Aug;10(8):3613-3626. doi: 10.21037/tau-20-1377. PMID: 34509503; PMCID: PMC8419614.
* Raheem OA, Kumi-Diaka J, Raheem T, Daly S, Alrabeeah K, Al-Awadi B, El-Bardisi H. Erectile dysfunction: Aetiology, diagnosis and treatment. Transl Androl Urol. 2017 Oct;6(5):764-771. doi: 10.21037/tau.2017.06.31. PMID: 29061014; PMCID: PMC5642878.
* Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, Cohan P, Das S, Katz D, MacMahon DR, Miner M, Nelson CJ, Sadeghi-Nejad H, Shindel AW, Sigman M. Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline. J Urol. 2018 Sep;200(3):633-641. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2018.06.004. Epub 2018 Jun 15. PMID: 29909260.
* Capogrosso P, Ventimiglia E, Cakir OO, Montorsi F. Management of Erectile Dysfunction. Eur Urol Focus. 2020 May 15;6(3):398-406. doi: 10.1016/j.euf.2020.03.006. Epub 2020 Mar 27. PMID: 32379377.
Q.
Sex Feels Like a Chore? Why Your Internal Engine Is Stalling
A.
There are several factors to consider. When sex starts to feel like a chore, it often reflects common, treatable issues like chronic stress, hormonal shifts, erectile dysfunction, mental health or relationship strain, or medical conditions that affect blood flow, including diabetes, thyroid disease, sleep apnea, and early heart problems. See below for key red flags and practical next steps, from improving sleep and exercise, addressing health conditions, reducing alcohol and smoking, and honest partner communication, to when to see a doctor and which treatments or an ED symptom check may help.
References:
* Samadi A, Khera M. Causes of Low Libido in Men: A Systematic Review. Sex Med Rev. 2022 Oct 28:S2050-1161(22)00078-X. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2022.09.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36368403.
* Maric I, Saletto F, Muggia C, Papini D, Di Lorenzo G. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Premenopausal Women: Current Therapies and Emerging Drugs. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Aug 24;24(17):13233. doi: 10.3390/ijms241713233. PMID: 37622668; PMCID: PMC10488185.
* Nassan F, Zant N, Abushab S, Oyelami E, Batur P. Sex Hormones and Sexual Function: A Narrative Review. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2023 May 16. doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000832. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37375267.
* Sarzi-Puttini P, Tassan Din C, Di Venere MM, Cassiello F, Cerni V, Papi A, Burlina A, Bini C, Santilli F, Tola MR. Sexual dysfunction in the context of stress: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun 21;19(12):7584. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19127584. PMID: 35741697; PMCID: PMC9224376.
* Mura G, Sanna L, Contu A, Casu F, Sani G, Fadda V. Chronic Diseases and Sexual Dysfunction: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Aug 9;20(16):6560. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20166560. PMID: 37571344; PMCID: PMC10454370.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Irwin GM. Erectile Dysfunction. Prim Care. 2019 Jun;46(2):249-255. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2019.02.006. Epub 2019 Apr 1. PMID: 31030826.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0095454319300090?via%3DihubShamloul R, Ghanem H. Erectile dysfunction. Lancet. 2013 Jan 12;381(9861):153-65. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60520-0. Epub 2012 Oct 5. PMID: 23040455.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60520-0/fulltextMobley DF, Khera M, Baum N. Recent advances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Postgrad Med J. 2017 Nov;93(1105):679-685. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134073. Epub 2017 Jul 27. PMID: 28751439.
https://pmj.bmj.com/content/93/1105/679Ludwig W, Phillips M. Organic causes of erectile dysfunction in men under 40. Urol Int. 2014;92(1):1-6. doi: 10.1159/000354931. Epub 2013 Nov 21. PMID: 24281298.
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/354931Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/