Erectile dysfunction

Last updated 17 February 2022

The headlines read “Tesco to sell half-price Viagra over the counter” and “Viagra goes on high street sale”. With all the media hype over Viagra and the generic version sildenafil now available in pharmacies, the natural assumption is that Tesco and Boots are the places to buy it – the cheapest and easiest avenues to get your sex life back on track.

Update April 2018: Viagra Connect now available without prescription.

But while it would be easy to simply walk into your nearest Tesco or Boots pharmacy and ask for a pack from behind the counter, let’s investigate whether it really is possible to buy Viagra during a trip to the supermarket, and if there is another, more convenient alternative out there.

The premise of offering Viagra through pharmacies is simple. It is considered a low toxicity drug with relatively few side effects, and can be safely prescribed following a straightforward medical consultation to rule out contraindications. Read in full

Last updated 29 November 2017

People often wonder about the possible side effects of Viagra, concerned that the little blue pill might result in some kind of unpleasantness or even dangerous health conditions. It’s always sensible to understand the nature of your medications and, while Viagra is recognised as a low-toxicity medicine, it pays to be aware of its potential side effects.

Our patients tend to do a lot of their own research on the subject and although this can sometimes lead to unwarranted concern, it could also be prudent in determining whether Viagra or the generic sildenafil is safe to take. So here we will explain Viagra’s side effects and briefly take you through which are common and which may be cause for worry. Read in full

Last updated 19 September 2023

As with any medication, Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications aren’t guaranteed to work for everyone.

Your doctor should explain carefully how to use them, and what to expect, but even under the best of circumstances you may find that you need a number of attempts, or possibly an adjusted dose or different type of medication in order to see results.

If you aren’t able to achieve an erection soon after you start treatment, don’t despair. Check to ensure you are taking the medication exactly as directed according to the patient information leaflet supplied with the tablets, and be sure to let your doctor know what happens (or doesn’t happen) when you do. Always consult a doctor if treatment doesn’t work. Studies show an improved response rate after receiving appropriate dose and instructions on administration. You may require further tests and assessment, and possibly alternative treatments.

What is the ‘success rate’ of sildenafil (Viagra)?

From clinical trials the following percentages of men responded to the three different doses of sildenafil as follows:

Proportions of patients reporting improved erections in clinical trials of sildenafil

Sildenafil	25mg dose	62% reported improved erections
Sildenafil	50mg dose	74% reported improved erections
Sildenafil	100mg dose	82% reported improved erections

The results show sildenafil (Viagra, Viagra Connect) is not effective for all men, but the reasons can be complex and varied. Read on to learn a few different things you can try in order to help your medication have the desired effect. These points will help you develop a realistic expectation for your treatment.

Adopt the right mindset

Before all else, try to keep in mind that no erectile dysfunction medicine is a miracle cure. The PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil) work by facilitating blood flow to the penis, but they all require sexual arousal. Your body sends the necessary chemicals to the blood vessels of the penis, the medication helps the blood flow, and also block the PDE5 enzymes that eliminate the chemicals, and this helps you get and maintain an erection.

Without proper sexual arousal the medication will simply not take effect. Try to make sure you are receiving stimulation that works for you; whether it’s visual or from touch, scent or taste, you need to feel naturally turned on.

Distractions, interruptions, and low temperatures can stop the production of the chemicals responsible for erections.

Patient expectations

Psychological factors can make a big difference with regard to treatment and outcome, and should not be underestimated (the placebo effect is a good example). Brand, size, shape, and colour of a pill can all have a psychological impact on a patient’s confidence in the treatment. There is also documented evidence that a higher dosage can have a positive psychological effect, however side effects are more likely. Studies also suggest men’s mood improves after taking sildenafil. Read in full

Last updated 2 July 2019

Buy treatmentPrices checked 14 July 2015 – Dr Fox remains significantly lower cost than competitors and is often over 50% cheaper than major high street and internet pharmacies such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Pharmacy2U and Chemist Direct for the same service and product (Superdrug online doctor does not provide sildenafil). Read in full

Last updated 14 February 2022

It’s always “someone’s fault” when couples argue – perhaps that’s why arguments begin in the first place. One blames the other for something, the other disagrees and things escalate from there. Add a sex-related issue to the mix and it quickly becomes an emotional situation.

When a relationship is affected by erectile dysfunction it’s easy to wonder whose fault it is; who is to blame for an organ that simply won’t perform, or a sex life that isn’t satisfying?

Erectile dysfunction is thought to be the cause of break ups in around a significant proportion of relationships. Here we explore the concept of blame and how to overcome it. Read in full

Last updated 19 September 2023

An erection occurs when the brain, as a result of physical or psychological stimulation, sends signals to the penis that cause its blood vessels to relax. Blood flow to the penis increases, and blood becomes trapped within the corpora cavernosa, which expands and hardens, producing an erection.

Blood flow is central to achieving and maintaining erections. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is sometimes related to problems with circulation.

There are many reasons men get erectile dysfunction, and circulatory problems, although fairly common, are not the only reason. Read in full

Last updated 18 January 2022

It might seem strange to say that erectile dysfunction is one of the commonest medical conditions in men, however there’s actually quite a bit of truth to this statement. According to the National Health Service, about half of all men over the age of 40 will have problems obtaining or maintaining an erection at some point in their lives.

A healthy sex life is very important to most relationships; when something directly impacts this aspect of the partnership, it may seem catastrophic. There is one thing, however, that couples should always keep in mind when dealing with erectile dysfunction: it is usually treatable.

Being the significant other of someone with erectile dysfunction (ED) can lead to a great deal of frustration, but anger can often lead nowhere and in fact anxiety and stress can contribute to ED. The person suffering from ED does not need more stress; increasing his stress levels can even make things worse.

Understanding, empathy, companionship and tolerance are fundamental to facing the condition and managing it correctly. It only makes sense that ED and other sexual health issues become much easier to cope with when you have the support of your spouse. Read in full

Last updated 18 January 2022

Problems attaining or keeping an erection may surface for a number of reasons. Some of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) are psychological conditions. In order to seek the appropriate treatment, it is important to understand these mental health issues and the impact they can have on your sex life.

Depression

Depression is a very serious condition – more than just feelings of sadness, it represents a deep and long lasting feeling of hopelessness that causes the patient to lose interest in things they are normally quite fond of. It also has physical effects: severe loss of libido, fatigue and sleep issues are among the most common. Read in full