Symptoms
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction
ED is about the firmness and reliability of erections, not about how much you want sex. Tell the clinician when it started, whether morning erections still happen, and any pain or curvature.
Treatments
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Online
Request erectile dysfunction treatment online. A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers in confidence, with discreet delivery if a PDE5 option is suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. It is common and often treatable.
Private Pharmacy Care offers a confidential online consultation. If a clinician decides it is appropriate, prescription treatments such as PDE5 inhibitors may be supplied and delivered discreetly.
ED can also be linked to heart disease, diabetes, hormones, medicines or mental health. A consultation helps check that treatment is safe for you.
The condition
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. It can happen occasionally or most of the time. It is common, especially with age, diabetes, heart disease, or after prostate treatment, and it is not a character failing.
Erections need healthy blood vessels, nerves, hormones and arousal. Stress, alcohol and some medicines can interfere. Because the same blood-vessel changes can affect the heart, ED is sometimes an early clue to cardiovascular risk rather than only a sexual issue.
Private Pharmacy Care offers a discreet online consultation. If a clinician decides it is appropriate, licensed PDE5 inhibitor tablets may be prescribed and delivered in plain packaging. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Always read the patient information leaflet before you take a dose.
Causes
Causes of erectile dysfunction
Most men have a mix of physical and psychological factors. Honesty about heart medicines, recreational drugs and mental health protects you, because some ED tablets are dangerous with nitrates.
Treatments
Available treatment options
This is a guide to licensed UK options and self-care. A clinician decides whether a PDE5 inhibitor is safe for you. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Products
Cialis Together
Cialis Together branded tadalafil 10mg for erectile dysfunction. Take at least 30 minutes before sex. From £18 for…
Sildenafil 100mg tablets
Generic sildenafil 100mg for erectile dysfunction. Take one tablet 30–60 minutes before sex. From £9 for 4 tablets.…
Sildenafil 25mg tablets
Generic sildenafil 25mg for erectile dysfunction. Take one tablet 30–60 minutes before sex. From £10 for 4 tablets.…
Sildenafil 50mg tablets
Generic sildenafil 50mg for erectile dysfunction. Take one tablet 30–60 minutes before sex. From £9 for 4 tablets.…
Spedra 50mg tablets
Spedra branded avanafil 50mg for erectile dysfunction. Take 15–60 minutes before sex, with or without food. Supports erections…
Tadalafil 10mg tablets
Tadalafil 10mg for erectile dysfunction. Take at least 30 minutes before sex. Effects can last up to 24…
Tadalafil 20mg tablets
Tadalafil 20mg for erectile dysfunction. Take at least 30 minutes before sex. Effects can last up to 24…
Vardenafil 20mg tablets
Vardenafil 20mg for erectile dysfunction. Take 25–60 minutes before sex, with or without food. Supports erections for up…
Viagra 100mg tablets
Viagra 100mg (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction. Take one tablet 30–60 minutes before sex. From £38 for 4 tablets.…
Viagra 25mg tablets
Viagra 25mg (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction. Take one tablet 30–60 minutes before sex. From £30 for 4 tablets.…
Viagra 50mg tablets
Viagra 50mg (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction. Take one tablet 30–60 minutes before sex. From £30 for 4 tablets.…
Benefits
Benefits and uses
When they are suitable, ED medicines can help more blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. They do not increase sexual desire on their own.
Private consultation
Complete a discreet questionnaire from home. You do not need to attend a face-to-face appointment to start the review.
Clinician-chosen options
Where appropriate, treatments such as sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil may be considered based on your history and preference.
Used when you need them
Some medicines are taken as required before sex. Daily options may be considered for some people after clinical review.
Discreet dispensing
Approved medicines are dispensed by our pharmacy and sent in plain packaging.
Eligibility
Eligibility
ED medicines are not safe for everyone, especially if you take nitrates or have certain heart conditions. Honesty on the form protects you.
May be suitable if
- You are an adult man with erectile difficulties and can describe your symptoms
- You are not taking nitrates or riociguat
- Your blood pressure and heart history have been reviewed as suitable by the clinician
- You understand these medicines need sexual stimulation to work
May not be suitable if
- You use nitrate medicines for chest pain, or recreational poppers (amyl nitrite)
- Your clinician advises that recent heart attack, stroke, or unstable heart disease makes treatment unsafe
- You have been told to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons
- You have a condition or allergy listed as a contraindication on the chosen medicine
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to discuss erectile dysfunction treatment?
Complete a short online consultation. A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers before any treatment is supplied.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
PDE5 inhibitor tablets relax blood vessels in the penis so more blood can enter during arousal. Timing, food and alcohol can affect how well a dose works. Your clinician will advise on the option and how to take it.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Never combine ED tablets with nitrates or poppers — the drop in blood pressure can be dangerous.
Seek urgent help for an erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism), sudden vision or hearing loss, chest pain, or a severe allergic reaction.
- Tell us about all heart medicines, alpha-blockers and recreational drugs.
- Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
- Limit excess alcohol; it can worsen both ED and side effects.
- This service does not replace emergency care or your GP for ongoing health checks.
Side effects
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and short-lived. They vary by medicine and dose.
- Headache or flushing Common with PDE5 inhibitors as blood vessels widen.
- Indigestion or blocked nose Usually temporary. Contact us if it is severe.
- Muscle aches or back pain Reported more often with some longer-acting options such as tadalafil.
- Visual changes A blue tinge or light sensitivity can occur. Stop and seek advice if vision changes suddenly.
- Dizziness Stand up slowly. Do not drive if you feel lightheaded.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always follow the patient information leaflet for the medicine you are given. Timing, food and alcohol differ between products. The steps below are general.
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Take the dose as directed, not more often
Do not exceed one dose in 24 hours unless your leaflet and clinician have given a different daily regimen. More tablets will not make a failed dose work and can be dangerous.
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Time it before sex
Sildenafil is often taken about an hour before sex and may work less well after a heavy, fatty meal. Tadalafil lasts longer; follow the specific product advice. You still need sexual stimulation.
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Avoid nitrates, poppers and excess alcohol
The combination with nitrates or amyl nitrite can cause a severe drop in blood pressure. Limit alcohol; it can worsen both ED and side effects such as dizziness.
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Know what to do if it does not work
First-time use sometimes needs a few attempts with the right timing. Do not double the dose. Contact us or your GP if there is no benefit after several correct uses, or if side effects are troublesome.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Mild headache or flushing is common. Some symptoms are emergencies. ED tablets do not replace care for chest pain or a very prolonged erection.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- An erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism) — go to A&E. Delay can damage the penis.
- Chest pain, tightness, sudden breathlessness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw during or after sex — go to A&E. Do not take a nitrate spray if you have used a PDE5 inhibitor; tell ambulance staff what you took.
- Sudden loss of vision or hearing, or a severe allergic reaction (swelling, wheeze, collapse) — go to A&E.
- Fainting, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or a seizure after a dose.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- The tablets do not help after several correctly timed doses, or side effects such as headache and indigestion are hard to tolerate.
- You develop new chest pain on walking, calf pain, or other possible circulation symptoms — speak to your GP; ED can flag cardiovascular risk.
- You start a nitrate, alpha-blocker, or another heart medicine — check safety before the next ED dose.
- Mood, relationship distress, or possible low testosterone symptoms (very low desire, reduced morning erections, fatigue) that need a broader GP review.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Will treatment work without sexual stimulation?
No. These medicines support the physical response. They are not an aphrodisiac.
How long before sex should I take a tablet?
It depends on the medicine. Sildenafil is often taken about an hour before; tadalafil timing differs. Follow the leaflet and your clinician’s advice.
Can I drink alcohol?
Small amounts may be fine for some people, but alcohol can make erections harder and increase side effects. Ask if you are unsure.
Is ED only a sexual problem?
Not always. It can be an early sign of cardiovascular or metabolic disease. We may advise you to speak to your GP for further checks.
What if tablets do not work?
Do not increase the dose yourself. Contact us or your GP. A different option, timing, or further investigation may be needed.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Erection problems (erectile dysfunction) Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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