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November Is National ED Awareness Month: Let’s Talk Erectile Function and Health

We believe sexual health is health, and that means talking openly about erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that affects more people than you might think. This November, in honor of National ED Awareness Month, we’re diving into how ED shows up in cisgender men and trans/gender-diverse folks, what’s behind it, and how to take proactive, affirming steps forward.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

ED is defined medically as the persistent or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. It’s important to say “sufficient for you” because sexual activity, intimacy, and pleasure look different for everyone.

How Common Is It and Why Are We Seeing More Conversations Now?

Recent data from a nationally representative U.S. study found that about 24.2% of cisgender men aged 18–87 met diagnostic criteria for ED, with prevalence increasing significantly with age. Yet, only a small portion had sought care, signaling major gaps in access, awareness, and comfort in talking about ED.
Large-scale reviews estimate prevalence globally in varying populations between 3% and 76% depending on definitions and age groups. ED often doesn’t stand alone; it can signal underlying health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hormonal changes, or mental health challenges.

ED and Trans/Gender-Diverse Bodies

ED is often discussed in cisgender men, but it’s just as important to include trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people in the conversation:

  • Trans men (TM) who have had metoidioplasty or phalloplasty can experience challenges with erectile function or penetration that may require specialized aids. 
  • Trans women (TW) and other transfeminine folks undergoing hormone therapy may experience changes in erectile function, spontaneous erections, or sensation—even though their goals of sexual wellness may differ. 
  • A systematic review found that sexual dysfunction (including ED) is common in transgender populations, underscoring the need for inclusive research and care. In other words: whether you are cis or trans, queer or straight, ED can be part of your sexual health story, and it deserves affirming, knowledgeable attention.

What’s Behind ED? A Quick Look at Risk Factors

Several physical and psychosocial factors can contribute to ED; some are modifiable, others require medical care. We’ll list them here so you and your provider can collaborate.

  • Circulation & vascular health: Adequate blood flow is vital for erections; CVD, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes raise ED risk. 
  • Hormones: Low testosterone (in cis men) or alterations in hormone therapy (in trans folks) can affect erection strength or frequency. 
  • Medications/substances: Some antidepressants, blood-pressure meds, alcohol, and recreational drugs can impact erectile function.
  • Psychological stress, anxiety, and mood: Worry about performance, identity stress, and internalized stigma can be potent contributors. 
  • Lifestyle factors: Obesity, lack of exercise, poor sleep, and other factors reduce overall sexual wellness.
  • Post-surgical / structural changes: For folks with gender-affirming surgeries, anatomy, nerve changes, and implant types may affect function.

Why This Matters for You

ED isn’t just about sex; it’s about holistic health. Because:

  • It can point to cardiovascular or endocrine issues early on.
  • It affects self-esteem, intimacy, connection, and overall quality of life.
  • It can create shame or avoidance around sexual health visits, especially in already marginalized communities.

What You Can Do Right Now

  1. Talk to your provider about erection difficulties, even if it feels awkward. You’re not alone.
  2. Get screened for cardiovascular risk (blood pressure, cholesterol), diabetes, hormone levels, and mental health.
  3. Lifestyle check: exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, reduce alcohol and drug use, and improve sleep.
  4. Check medications: Ask whether any meds you take may affect sexual function.
  5. Be inclusive in your care: If you’re trans or gender-diverse, mention any surgeries, hormones, or anatomy changes; your provider can help adapt sexual-health care accordingly.
  6. Explore options: From PDE-5 inhibitors (like sildenafil) to pumps, injections, implants, or specialized aids for neophallus users.
  7. Focus on intimacy and communication: Pleasure doesn’t always mean penetration. Sharing feelings, touch, and vulnerability can help reconnect.
  8. Don’t ignore mental health: Stress, performance anxiety, gender dysphoria, or body image concerns impact erections. Therapy and affirming support are valid parts of care.

At Central Outreach, we offer:

  • Comprehensive sexual-health care, including ED evaluation
  • Hormonal care and gender-affirming services
  • STI/PrEP/PEP services (yes, even those who also experience ED)
  • Safe, affirming discussions about pleasure, identity, and function
  • Links to therapists and specialists for sexual-health challenges

ED is common, but that doesn’t make it normal or something you just “deal with.” Whether you’re cisgender, transgender, queer, or somewhere in between, you deserve knowledgeable, respectful, proactive care. This November, National ED Awareness Month, let us stand with you. Let’s talk openly, treat thoroughly, and reclaim sexual wellness together.

Sources

  1. Erectile Dysfunction – StatPearls. NCBI
  2. “Is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Common?” – Healthline. Healthline
  3. “Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in the United States…” (2024). PubMed
  4. “Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction” – PMC. PMC
  5. “Sexual function and dysfunction in the LGBTQIA+ community” – Sexual Medicine Reviews. OUP Academic
  6. “Evaluation of Sexual Function of Transgender Individuals” – PubMed. PubMed