Erectile Dysfunction

FAQs

What is the main cause of ED?

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by psychological factors, medical conditions and/or certain medications. In younger men with variable or situational ED, stress and anxiety can restrict blood flow to the penis at exactly the wrong moment.

In men with ED that doesn’t vary with different partners or different situations, underlying problems with nerves, blood vessels or hormone production may be present. Our clinical team can help you to identify the erectile dysfunction cause and help treat your ED.

What are the symptoms of ED?

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or keep an erection during sexual activity. This happens when the penile erection chambers fail to generate and maintain the high pressures that characterise a hard erection.

Usually, sexual stimulation is enough to get things going, but men with ED have trouble staying firm through ejaculation. Lots of things can contribute, like age, high blood pressure, vascular disease, disease, stress, and more.

How do ED treatments work?

Sexual arousal triggers a response in your body that then triggers nitric oxide production, which relaxes the blood vessels and smooth muscle in the penis. This lets blood rush into the penis, which gets hard as a result.

There is an enzyme in the penis called phosphodiesterase that shuts this process off when sex is over. ED medications work by blocking PDE5 and preventing this shut off. That keeps your erection going longer and stronger.

How is ED diagnosed?

Erectile dysfunction is typically self-diagnosed from the obvious symptoms of struggling to maintain a satisfactory erection.

Although ED can be self-diagnosed, it’s recommended that new symptoms should always be discussed with your GP. If you do not wish to contact your GP, a consultation regarding any new symptoms with our clinical team is advised.

Please note, ED can be a sign of underlying health conditions, such as circulatory or heart problems, that should be addressed immediately as they could lead to further and more severe health complications.

How can I improve my erectile dysfunction?

The best way to improve your erectile function is to take a holistic approach.

ED medications work best in the long-term when combined with positive lifestyle changes that promote overall health. Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising, and avoiding health-harming behaviours like cigarette smoking can make a big difference.

If your erectile dysfunction has a psychological cause, therapy can provide useful, practical tools that help in the moment, and may help you to deal with the root cause of anxiety or depression.

If you frequently experience ED after drinking alcohol, the alcohol may be the cause of your erectile dysfunction. Try having sex without alcohol to see if that helps.

I’ve had a similar treatment before. Do I still need to complete a questionnaire?

Yes. As your health can vary over time, we like to check in with all new and returning patients to ensure that there are no new underlying health concerns that may cause issues with a treatment.

Need to speak to someone?

Our clinical team is always ready to help

We’re open weekdays 9am – 6pm
and weekends 9am – 1pm (excluding bank holidays)
Call 020 8191 9444

Contact Phlo Clinic

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction

treatments

Sildenafil

25mg - 100mg

Oral tablet

Tadalafil

10mg – 20mg

Oral tablet

Experience the joy of Phlo Clinic (and sex)