Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

You do not have to suffer in silence. The vast majority of men with ED return to satisfying sexual activity with erectile dysfunction pills.

As a regulated UK pharmacy, we offer clinically approved erectile dysfunction medication within the UK, with next day and weekend delivery options.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, is the incapacity to achieve or sustain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.

This is a very common condition that can distress men of all ages and sexual orientation. In the U.K, ED is thought to affect 1 in 10 men and more than 50% of men over 40 years of age will experience some form of ED.

A number of men will have difficulties maintaining an erection for a satisfactory period of time whilst others may be completely unable to get an erection at all.

At one time, it was thought that ED only affected older men but it is much more common among younger men than previously believed.

To have an erection you need to have an unrestricted blood flow to your penis and to feel sexually aroused.

To obtain an erection the brain responds to arousal by sending signals to the nerves which are in the penis. The nerves then increase the penis's blood flow, upon which the penis hardens and enlarges.

ED can be seen as the result of an interruption - either medicinal, physical or psychological - of the natural process which causes an erection when sexual excitement is felt.

ED doesn't have to be permanent. The most important thing is to identify the cause and then get the right treatment.

ED can be experienced intermittently and can be related to the efficiency of blood flow which typically improves with treatment. ED can sometimes come back without warning, after its symptoms appear to have gone.

The most common causes of ED are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, medications for depression, heart disease, prostate problems, and anxiety.

It is always best to check with your GP, to rule out the possibility, that your ED may be related to a medical condition that may need another course of treatment. 

Your lifestyle can also be a factor that causes ED as it’s more commonly caused in men who drink excessively, are overweight, and those who smoke or use illegal drugs.

In younger men, one of the most frequent cause of ED is anxiety due to worrying about causing a pregnancy, nervousness about having sex or about using a condom. 

Physical causes of ED can also include; 

• Hormonal conditions such as diabetes, hypogonadism and an under or overactive thyroid, which can affect hormone levels adversely;
• Anatomical conditions such as Peyronie's disease (due to scar tissue inside the penis); 
• Vascular conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease;
• Neurogenic conditions (affecting the nervous system) such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Psychological causes of ED can also include; 

• Emotional problems rooted in past sexual abuse;
• Lack of sexual knowledge or even unease with a new relationship;
• Mental conditions from anxiety to clinical depression.

Medicinal causes of ED can also include;

The effect of certain medicines such as antidepressants, diuretics, beta blockers, corticosteriods and cytotoxics.

Surgical causes of ED can also include;

Scarring from surgery can also cause ED, especially surgery involving the prostate.

It is accepted that ED symptoms which present themselves suddenly and without warning typically indicate psychological causes, whereas symptoms which develop more slowly normally suggest a physical cause, such as narrowing of the blood vessels.

Looking at the symptoms of ED closely can help to both identify and understand the nature of the ED condition in an individual.

A man who cannot achieve or maintain a satisfactory erection at all typically has ED which is caused by a physical condition or a side effect of a medication(s).

While men who can only achieve an erection through masturbation, but not through sexual intercourse, are more likely to suffer from ED which is rooted in psychological problems.

In some cases, when ED presents itself, it’s an early indication of a more serious underlying medical condition.

Because of the serious nature of the conditions which are capable of causing ED, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your GP should you experience erectile dysfunction symptoms.

Though ED can be detected from a self-diagnosis, it is important that any new or different symptoms be discussed with a doctor when they arise.

Even if you are reluctant to discuss the ED problem itself with a health professional, it is important that you book a check-up in order that any underlying health conditions which may be related to ED are detected and addressed.

In diagnosing ED, a doctor will typically ask a series of questions, which may include sexual history. With Molecule, this will take the form of a secure online consultation form. While some of these questions may be embarrassing to answer it’s important to answer them as honestly for an accurate diagnosis.

ED medication is typically taken in advance of sexual activity. Medications normally take from 15 to 60 minutes to take effect.

Alternatively, those who wish to engage in more regular sexual activity (twice or more a week) can take daily tablets instead.

It is recommended that each form of ED medication is taken at least eight times before it is deemed to be effective or otherwise.

The effectiveness of any medication will vary according to the individual, so it is advised that you try the range of ED medicines available in order to find the most suitable one for you.

Erections which last for over a four-hour period - known as a priapism - risk causing long term damage to the penis and require urgent medical attention. This is a very rare side effect.

ED is often seen has having two sufferers. ED sufferers should try and talk about the condition with their partner.

By keeping communication channels open, the condition can be solved as a united front rather than either of you feeling shame and isolation.

Partners of ED sufferers can also play an important role in leading them towards the treatment which they need - be it medicinal, physical or psychological. The partner can be a stable presence throughout the treatment programme itself.

Following the treatment process you and your partner can continue to support each other, particularly in cases where sexual anxiety continues - this can play a crucial role in recovery over the long term.

ED treatments are not considered to be addictive, although they can result in psychological dependence where men with performance anxiety come to rely on them.

Some medications given for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, can cause ED. Decreased ejaculation can also be experienced. The medications given for BPH are called alpha blockers.

All ED medication should not be taken more than once in 24 hours.

On-demand medication should only be taken every 36 hours.

Side effects that may be experienced:

• Runny or blocked nose
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Facial flushing
• Indigestion
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• It’s a very rare side effect, but if you have a prolonged erection for more than 4 hours then you need to contact your doctor immediately.

Drug Interactions

• Nitrates interact very adversely with all phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. They can cause a FATAL lowering of blood pressure and should NEVER be used together.

Nitrates include medications like GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or nicorandil for angina. Also, the recreational drugs called "poppers" should be avoided.

We include a Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) with each medication that has a full list of potential side effects.