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Erectile Dysfunction Calculator (IIEF-5)

Self-assessment using the International Index of Erectile Function (short form). 5 questions about the last 6 months — score, severity grade and guidance in under 2 minutes.

Instructions

Answer each question honestly about your last 6 months. Each question has 5 options — pick the one that best matches your experience.

1. How do you rate your confidence that you could get and keep an erection?

2. When you had erections with sexual stimulation, how often were they hard enough for penetration?

3. During sexual intercourse, how often were you able to maintain your erection after penetration?

4. During sexual intercourse, how difficult was it to maintain your erection to completion?

5. When you attempted intercourse, how often was it satisfactory for you?

Severity bands (Cappelleri & Rosen 2005)

ScoreInterpretation
22 – 25No erectile dysfunction
17 – 21Mild ED
12 – 16Mild to moderate
8 – 11Moderate ED
5 – 7Severe ED

How it works

The IIEF-5 (also called SHIM — Sexual Health Inventory for Men) is the internationally validated 5-question short form of the International Index of Erectile Function. Developed by Rosen et al. (1999) and given severity bands by Cappelleri & Rosen (2005), it's the global standard screening tool in clinical practice and research. Each of the 5 questions is scored 1–5; total range is 5–25. Scores of 22+ rule out ED, scores below 8 indicate severe ED. Sensitivity: 98 %, specificity: 88 % at a cutoff of ≤ 21.

This test does not replace a medical diagnosis. ED is often an early indicator of vascular disease, diabetes or hormone deficiency — if your score is concerning, please see a GP or urologist. A low score doesn't mean you have a disease — it's a reason to investigate causes with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IIEF-5?+
The IIEF-5 is the validated short form of the International Index of Erectile Function — a 5-question self-check that assesses erectile function over the last 6 months. Developed by Rosen et al. in 1999, it's the global standard for ED screening.
How accurate is the result?+
At a cutoff of ≤ 21, the IIEF-5 achieves 98 % sensitivity and 88 % specificity. It catches almost all ED cases with few false positives. A medical evaluation is still needed to identify the underlying cause.
Are my answers private?+
Yes — the calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, nothing is stored, nothing is shared. Just close the tab and your answers are gone.
What are the most common causes of ED?+
ED usually has multiple causes: vascular (cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension), endocrine (low testosterone, diabetes), neurogenic (post-surgery or with multiple sclerosis), drug-induced (beta-blockers, SSRIs), and psychogenic (stress, relationship issues, performance anxiety).
What helps ED naturally?+
Strong evidence for: regular exercise (40 % risk reduction), weight loss if overweight, Mediterranean diet, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol, sufficient sleep, stress reduction. If testosterone is low, replacement therapy can help; for vascular causes, PDE-5 inhibitors are first-line.
When should I see a doctor?+
Score of 21 or below — and any time the situation is causing you distress. Even in younger men, ED can be an early marker of cardiovascular disease, so it's worth investigating regardless of age.

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Background

Erectile Dysfunction Test (IIEF-5): Score, Causes and What Works

8 min