Steroids And Erectile Dysfunction: Can Anabolic Steriods Harm Performance?

Endocrine‑disordered sexual function, commonly known as erectile dysfunction (ED), is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory intercourse and affects roughly one‑third of men worldwide; its prevalence rises steeply with age but can also result from diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, depression, medication side effects, or neurovascular injury. Clinical evaluation usually combines a focused history (including cardiovascular risk factors), physical exam, laboratory testing for testosterone and metabolic abnormalities, and sometimes nocturnal penile tumescence or duplex ultrasound to differentiate psychogenic versus organic causes. Management follows a stepped approach: lifestyle modification and treatment of comorbid conditions are first‑line; pharmacologic therapy with oral phosphodiesterase‑5 inhibitors (tadalafil, sildenafil, vardenafil) is highly effective for many men, while vacuum‑device therapy or intracavernosal injection may be used when oral agents fail. In cases of erectile dysfunction refractory to medical therapy, surgical options such as penile prosthesis implantation are considered. Regular follow‑up evaluates treatment efficacy and tolerability, ensuring optimal sexual health and quality of life.