ED is a very common condition for adult men of all ages. Tried and tested prescription drugs for treating ED can yield fast results. Dr Felix offers a convenient and discreet service for people to obtain online prescriptions.
Prices from:
Generic Viagra
Generic Cialis
Over the counter treatment
Works in 15-30 minutes
Effective for up to 5 hours
Generic Levitra
Effective for up to 4 hours
For daily or intermittent use
Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue affecting many men. The term covers a range of erection problems, from not being able to get an erection at all, to not being able to maintain a firm enough erection to have sex. This may happen all the time or just occasionally.
When a man is sexually aroused, signals from the nervous system cause blood to flow to the penis, resulting in an erection. In men with erectile dysfunction, something stops that from happening effectively. This can be for a number of different reasons, either physical or psychological, such as:
A number of psychological therapies can help men to get to the root of the psychological issues that are causing erectile dysfunction.
It’s very common for men aged over 40 to experience erection problems from time to time. If this happens to you for more than a few weeks, it’s a good idea to visit your GP or GUM clinic for an examination. The doctor or nurse will ask some questions about your general health, mental wellbeing and sexual history before doing some physical checks and tests. These may include:
A health professional may also want to examine your penis if they suspect an injury or other anatomical issue may be causing your erection problems. If there are signs of prostate issues, they may need to do a rectal examination.
These questions and checks will help to determine the cause of erectile dysfunction, so that action can be taken to treat it.
Erectile dysfunction isn’t easy to live with. You may find it affects your confidence or leaves you feeling frustrated. If you have a partner, you may worry about how it will affect them.
Although it isn’t always easy, the best way to cope is to be honest about the problem and to seek help to find treatment. Talk to your GP or sexual health practitioner about your symptoms and possible solutions. Rather than avoiding sex, be open with your partner about what you are going through.
If your erectile dysfunction is partly or wholly caused by psychological issues – or if the condition itself is affecting your mental wellbeing - counselling may help. You may choose to go to couples’ therapy to talk about any problems in your relationship, or speak to someone by yourself to better understand the issues you are experiencing.
Your partner may have already noticed a problem, or you may have avoided the issue with them. Either way, being honest is the best approach. Let them know that it’s not something you can control or be blamed for, and it’s nothing personal – it doesn’t mean that you don’t find them attractive. Let them know that it’s a common issue and tell them the steps you are taking to fix it. By talking honestly about erectile dysfunction, you may find that you become more relaxed with your partner, which may help your erection problems.
Erectile dysfunction doesn’t just affect the person with erection problems – it has a big impact on their partner, too. If your partner is affected by erectile dysfunction, you might understandably feel rejected or insulted, but erection problems are not the same as a lack of desire. Erectile dysfunction does not have to harm your relationship, but in order to cope as a couple, it’s important to be open and honest with each other about your respective feelings.
To support your partner, let him know that you are there, and reassure him that erectile dysfunction doesn’t change your commitment to him. Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences, but be constructive in finding solutions that you can work on together. Keep your relationship intimate by adjusting your sex life so that there’s no ‘pressure to perform’, and stay close by carrying on talking and doing things together. Support any lifestyle changes he is advised to make – for example, by joining him in a new exercise regime.
The symptoms of erectile dysfunction are the inability to get an erection, or to sustain a firm enough erection to have satisfactory sex. These may occur all the time, or just occasionally. Some men may be able to get an erection while masturbating, but not during sex with another person.
That depends on what’s causing your erection problems. It’s important to see your GP or visit your GUM clinic, so that a health professional can check you over and assess why you are experiencing erectile dysfunction.
That said, erectile dysfunction is more likely if you are overweight, a smoker or a drug user, so lifestyle changes such as giving up smoking and taking more exercise may help.
Erectile dysfunction tablets help erectile dysfunction by causing extra blood flow to the penis, which enables men to get an erection when they are sexually aroused.
The treatment for erectile dysfunction will depend on the cause:
The main type of medication for erectile dysfunction is a class of medicines known as Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These work by temporarily increasing the blood flow to the penis.
Four types of PDE-5 inhibitors are available:
These all work in the same way, but they vary in the time it takes for them to take effect, and how long the effects last.
PDE-5 inhibitors are the most common type of medication for erectile dysfunction. An alternative to PDE-5 inhibitors is a hormone treatment called Alprostadil, which is available as an injection or a pellet to be inserted into the urethra.
The efficacy of different erectile dysfunction treatments varies between different people. On average, around 6 in 10 men who use one of the four PDE-5 inhibitors available find that it works for them.
It’s important to note that in addition to taking the medication correctly, you must also be sexually aroused in order to achieve an erection.
Your choice of erectile dysfunction medication will depend on how often you would like to be sexually active, how long you would like the effects to last, and whether you have tried any similar medications before without success. Our flow chart below is designed to help you decide which type of PDE-5 inhibitor is right for you.
You may need to try different ED medications to find out which one works best for you. Not all ED medications work well for everyone and you may experience unwanted side effects. Therefore, it's worth trying a few different ED medications to decide which is best got you.
That depends on your individual needs and preferences. Everyone is different, so what’s best for one person may not work so well for someone else. However, of the four available PDE-5 inhibitors, Sildenafil (Viagra) has the highest success rate, working for 65% of people.
A vacuum pump is the main alternative to erectile dysfunction medication. A plastic tube connected to a pump is placed over the penis, and when the pump is operated, a vacuum is created inside the tube, which causes blood to flow to the penis and make it hard. To maintain the erection, a rubber ring is placed at the base of the penis, which can be worn while you have sex.
For psychological causes of erectile dysfunction, counselling and sex therapy can be effective treatments.
Most men experience erectile dysfunction at some time in their life, but you can reduce the risk by making changes to your lifestyle. These may include getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and cutting down or giving up alcohol, tobacco products, steroids and illegal drugs.
You may be able to improve erectile dysfunction by making some changes to your lifestyle.
These could include:
Some cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by psychological issues surrounding sex and relationships. In these cases, a qualified sex therapist may be able to help you get to the bottom of the issues that are leading to erection problems. You can see a sex therapist by yourself or with a partner.
Occasionally, some men do have surgery to treat erectile dysfunction. However, this is rare, and is usually only considered if all other options have been tried to no avail, or if there are physical injuries or impairments. During surgery, a penile implant is fitted.
Side effects of PDE-5 inhibitors can include:
Some people worry that riding a bike will cause erectile dysfunction. While cycling for more than three hours a week can increase men’s chances of developing ED (due to the potential for damaged nerves and arteries in the perineal area), being inactive or overweight can also increase the risk. The cardiovascular benefits of regular exercise and of being within a healthy weight range help to protect against many serious diseases, as well as making ED less likely.
Yes, your diet can affect your chances of developing ED. Men who are overweight are more likely to experience erection problems, so by eating a healthy diet and consuming the recommended number of calories for your size, you can reduce your risk of ED.
There are several diseases and conditions that can lead to erectile dysfunction.
There are several types of prescription and over-the-counter medicine that can make changes to the body, causing erectile dysfunction. These include:
This is not an exhaustive list, so if you are taking any type of medication and think that it may be affecting your sex life, talk to your GP, who may be able to prescribe an alternative.
Psychological ED is erectile dysfunction that results from psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety or unresolved issues surrounding sex and relationships.
Porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) is a recognised issue, particularly among younger men. Studies show that erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems have become more common with the rise of easy-to-access internet pornography. Reducing or stopping exposure to pornography has been shown to help some men combat their erectile dysfunction.
You may have heard of herbal alternatives to Viagra, which claim to treat erectile dysfunction. However, there is no evidence that these are effective. In fact, the ingredients in some herbal remedies could interfere with the way Viagra and other medicines work, so it is important to consult a doctor before considering them.
Erectile dysfunction in men under 40 is less likely to be caused by physical problems and more likely to be a psychological issue. Young men may feel under pressure to perform sexually, or anxious about the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy.
Yes, stress can be a factor in erectile dysfunction. On its own or in combination with other psychological or physical problems, stress can lead to problems getting an erection or maintaining it. Avoid stressful situations can often help in the treatment of ED.
The physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:
PDE-5 inhibitors are the most common type of medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. They work by increasing blood flow to the penis.
In some cases, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation could be related. If you are experiencing both of these issues, they shouldn’t be treated in isolation: talk to your doctor about possible causes and treatments.
Yes, in the vast majority of cases, it’s possible to treat the causes behind erectile dysfunction.
When obtained from a regulated supplier, PDE-5 inhibitors such as Viagra are safe for most people to use. Like any other medication, your ED medicine must be taken according to the directions in the patient information leaflet, and there may be some side effects, including:
PDE-5 inhibitors are not safe for:
· Those taking poppers (butyl nitrate) or angina medication that contains nitrates. This could lead to a dangerous interaction between the two drugs
· People with low blood pressure
· Those who have angina
· Men who have recently had a stroke, or who have had a heart attack
· Those with a history of on-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.
PDE-5 inhibitors may not be recommended for people with some other conditions, such as heart disease or Peyronie’s disease. Talk to your GP about the right treatment for you.
Erectile dysfunction is most common in men aged between 40 and 70. It is thought to affect as many as half of all men in this age group at some time.
Quick and discreet
Very efficient great service have dealt with the them often no problem recommending them looking forward to dealing with them in the future.
Patrick