A Dublin expert has broken down the main causes of erectile dysfunction, saying there are plenty of options for men to get treated.
It most often happens when blood flow in the penis is limited or nerves are harmed.
It can be due to psychological reasons or can be an indicator of a more serious illness.
Ivor Cullen, Consultant in Andrology and Urology at Blackrock Clinic said about 50% of men over the age of 50 deal with erectile dysfunction.
He told RTE's Claire Byrne: "Erectile dysfunction is characterised by the persistent inability to achieve satisfactory erection for satisfactory sexual relations.
"I think that concept of it being a persistent or continuous problem is the key differentiation in what can be normal variability in erectile function and a medical problem.
"Erectile dysfunction is a very common problem. It's somewhere between up to 50% or so of people aged 50 and 70.
"Climbing higher to over 70% when a gentleman reaches over the age of 70.
"Probably about 1 in 4 people that I see at the moment with erectile dysfunction are under the age of 40."
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Mr Cullen said it can be caused by psychological factors or be an indicator of a more serious physical problem.
"Erections are a complex interplay of your brain, hormones, blood vessels, nerves and the penis muscle itself.
"Any problem within any of those elements can compromise erectile function.
"One of the traditional differentiators is distinguishing between psychogenic erectile dysfunction and organic erectile dysfunction.
"Psychogenic erectile dysfunction is a problem where, essentially a gentleman starts to experience performance anxiety or anticipatory failure.
"This is particularly prevalent in younger men where they have a negative experience in regard to their erectile function.
"This triggers an exaggerated stress response in the male, leading to a release of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are very potent inhibitors of erectile function.
"So psychogenic erectile dysfunction is often seen as a vicious cycle. Someone is worried about their erections, someone's worried are they going to be able to perform, they get into this stress response and they're not able to perform."
Mr Cullen said unhealthy lifestyles and smoking are major causes of the issue, but sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious health issue.
"A lot of the time, erectile dysfunction co-exists with other medical problems. In fact we often say erectile dysfunction is the canary in the coalmine for other serious issues.
"In truth, a lot of the time it's a mixed picture because even if it's an organic or physical problem causing the erectile dysfunction, it gets into a gentleman's head."
"Smoking is a big problem. The idea of erectile function being linked with coronary heart disease, unhealthy lifestyles and smoking can cause the blood vessels that provide blood to the heart to become diseased and narrowed and the very same thing happens in the penis itself.
"I would caution anyone who is beginning to experience new or progressive erectile dysfunction, that this may be an indicator that there is something more serious going on."
He said while he welcomes Viagra's widespread availability, he still urges anyone who experiences new, progressive or persistent erectile dysfunction to seek care.
Mr Cullen also reassured men that there are plenty of options available to those seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction, including oral medication, devices and surgery.
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