Have you ever found yourself wondering what exactly causes erection difficulties (ED)? Well, you're not alone. It turns out that it's a pretty widespread issue, with nearly 1 in 3 guys in the UK having dealt with it at some point.*
No need to sweep it under the rug anymore. In this article, we're diving headfirst into the nitty-gritty of ED—covering everything from physical health to what's happening inside your head and how your lifestyle plays into the mix. It's time to smash that taboo surrounding men's sexual health and open up the conversation. So, buckle up and let's get honest about what's going on down there.
*Estimated from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 UK population data and Irrational quantitative survey 2021, where 3,445 (i.e. 34%) of 10,197 adult men qualified or identified as suffering from Erectile Dysfunction.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is characterised by the inability to get or keep an erection hard enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse – and it’s more common than you think.
Although the definition doesn't specify a specific duration of experiencing symptoms, some experts suggest that if the problem lasts for six months or longer, it may be considered ED. ED is quite common in men aged 40 and above, with its occurrence rising as age and other health issues increase.1 Regardless, this condition can affect men of all ages and has various underlying causes.1
If you are having trouble keeping it up occasionally, it might not ring any alarm bells. But if you find yourself dealing with erectile dysfunction regularly, it can lead to increased stress, put a strain on your relationships, and chip away at your confidence.2 That’s why getting a thorough check-up and treatment for ED is crucial.
Who gets ED?
ED doesn’t discriminate when it comes to age, but it tends to be more common as men get older. But there’s no need to suffer in silence — there is help out there if you are willing to reach out.
What are the types of sexual dysfunction?
When we talk about sexual dysfunction, we are talking about anything that stops you or your partner from getting the satisfaction you are after in the bedroom. It’s an umbrella term that covers all the issues that can pop up during sexual activity.4
Now, when it comes to what's causing these hiccups, we can split it into two main camps: physical and psychological. Think of it like this—your body and your brain are tag-teaming to help you get things going, and if one of them isn't pulling its weight, you might run into some trouble in the arousal department. Whether it's something going on down there or up here, there are a few factors at play when it comes to sexual dysfunction.
Physical erectile dysfunction
Picture this as the kind of ED that's more about what's happening in your body. This type of ED is often caused by physical factors such as blood flow problems and nerve damage or can be related to medical or surgical treatment. This one's more common if you've got conditions like diabetes or heart issues or if you've had surgery, like prostate surgery.5 Symptoms? Think trouble getting or keeping things up when it's time for some action, along with a dip in your sexual desire and maybe even a case of hitting the finish line too soon or too late.5
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction
This type of ED is more about what’s going on in your head. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or performance anxiety.5 With psychogenic ED, you might find yourself struggling to rise to the occasion, especially when you're feeling the pressure in certain stressful or emotional situations.5
Both types of erectile dysfunction can have a significant impact on your quality of life and relationships, but it’s not something to be ashamed of. Don’t be shy about speaking to your healthcare provider — they are the experts who can help you figure out what's going on and find the proper treatment to get you back in the game.
Symptoms of weak erection
Not as hard as you used to be? Experiencing a weak erection can be concerning and affect many aspects of your life. Here are a few signs to watch out for:4,6
- Having Trouble Getting or Keeping It Up: When it's go time, you might struggle to rise to the occasion or have a tough time keeping things going once you're in the groove.
- Not Quite Firm Enough for the Job: Ever had that frustrating moment where you're all set to dive in, but your soldier just isn't standing at attention as it should? Yeah, that's no fun.
- Needing a Little Extra Nudge: If it feels like you need to crank up the stimulation dial to get things going—or keep them going—well, that's a sign, too.
These symptoms might be trying to tell you something about what's going on under the hood. Please don’t ignore them. There's no shame in getting a little expert advice when it comes to matters of the bedroom.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction has many potential causes ranging from physical to psychological and lifestyle-related. But, the most common reason is other medical conditions that affect your body’s ability to deliver blood to your penis.2
Physical causes
Did you know that 90% of men with ED difficulties will have at least one underlying physical cause for their problem?7 Some physical causes can include:2
- Diabetes or diabetes-related neuropathy
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease
Psychological causes
Your emotions can also take a heavy toll on your erection. Feeling relaxed, confident, and aroused is vital to success in the bedroom, but it's normal to experience occasional erection issues, especially if you’re feeling nervous, anxious, frustrated, or tired.
Psychological causes of ED include 3,6
- Anxiety
- Fear of intimacy
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Stress
Side effect of certain medications
Erectile dysfunction is often listed as a potential side effect of many prescription drugs, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, blood pressure drugs, diuretics, and muscle relaxants.3
Remember that it’s important to take medicines as prescribed, but if you are experiencing ED, speak to a doctor. They may be able to tweak your prescription or suggest alternatives.
Other causes
Besides physical and psychological factors, there are several other causes of ED. Here are some of these less frequently encountered contributors:2
- Smoking
- Substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol
- Injuries to your penis and surrounding areas, like a penile fracture
- Radiation therapy.
Being aware that these various causes can work alone or together to cause ED is important and getting a medical check-up to figure out what's causing the issue is vital. It helps in creating a plan that suits you best and improves your sexual health and well-being overall.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction
Now that you understand the ins and outs of ED, let’s discuss how to tackle it head-on. One option to deal with ED is medication, which is where Cialis Together comes in.
Cialis Together is a medication commonly used to treat ED in men. It belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. It is the first non-prescription treatment that gives you up to 36 hours to help forget about erection difficulties, focus on your partner, and enjoy sex the way nature intended.
Cialis Together can be taken 30 minutes before sexual activity and gives you up to 36 hours, allowing you to take it at your convenience and helping to ensure effectiveness when required.
And here’s the thing: you don't need a prescription to get your hands on Cialis Together. That's right—total convenience at your fingertips, to give you the power to take charge of your sex life whenever the mood strikes. We do recommend speaking to a pharmacist, so they can confirm whether this is the right treatment for you before you buy it.
If you have a health condition that you’re taking medication for, it’s always a good idea to chat with your doctor first. They can review your medical history, make sure Cialis Together plays nice with any other meds. Remember to see your doctor within 6 months of starting treatment with Cialis Together to help identify the cause of ED.
So, don't let ED hold you back from the awesome sex life you deserve—Cialis Together is here to help you reclaim your mojo and get back in the game.
Conclusion
Give Cialis® Together 10mg Tablets a go. With its straightforward approach and up to 36 hours of effectiveness, Cialis Together can help you focus on enjoying intimate moments.
Take charge of your sexual health – who knows, today could be your lucky day… and a half with Cialis Together.
Cialis® Together 10mg tablets. For Erectile Dysfunction in adult men. Before taking Cialis Together tablets, discuss with your pharmacist to ensure the product is suitable for you. Contains tadalafil. Always read the label.
References
1. National Health Service, August 26, 2020, (Accessed July 2023), https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/
1. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is very common, particularly in men over 40.
2. Most men occasionally fail to get or keep an erection. This is usually caused by stress, tiredness or drinking too much alcohol, and it's nothing to worry about. It can also be a side effect of some medicines. If erectile dysfunction happens often, it may be caused by a condition such as:
· high blood pressure or high cholesterol
· Diabetes
· depression or anxiety
· hormone problems
2. Mayo Clinic. Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms and Causes. Last reviewed 29 March 2022. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776
1. Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems.
2. Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.
Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction. For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.
3. In many cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include:
· Heart disease
· Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
· High cholesterol
· High blood pressure
· Diabetes
4. The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement. A number of things can interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. These include:
· Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
· Stress
· Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns
5. Various risk factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction, including:
· Medical conditions, particularly diabetes or heart conditions
· Tobacco use, which restricts blood flow to veins and arteries, can — over time — cause chronic health conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction
· Being overweight, especially if you're obese
· Certain medical treatments, such as prostate surgery or radiation treatment for cancer
· Injuries, particularly if they damage the nerves or arteries that control erections
· Medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines and medications to treat high blood pressure, pain or prostate conditions
· Psychological conditions, such as stress, anxiety or depression
· Drug and alcohol use, especially if you're a long-term drug user or heavy drinker
3. Cleveland Clinic. Erectile Dysfunction. Last reviewed 28 August 2023. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10035-erectile-dysfunction
1. Erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of many prescription drugs. Common medications that list ED as a potential side effect include:
· Antidepressants.
· Anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics)
· Blood pressure medications.
· Diuretics.
· Antihistamines
· Chemotherapy drugs
· Parkinson’s disease drugs
· Prostate cancer drugs.
· Antiarrhythmics
· Sedatives
· Muscle relaxers.
· Antiseizure medications.
4. Cleveland Clinic. Sexual Dysfunction. Last reviewed 27 October 2020. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9121-sexual-dysfunction
1. Sexual dysfunction can be any problem that prevents a person or couple from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity.
2. Desire disorders: Lack of sexual desire or interest in sex. This may mean you have no interest in any type of sexual activity.
3. Arousal disorders: Inability to become physically aroused or excited during sexual activity. You may feel a desire for sex, but your body doesn’t respond. In people with a penis, this could mean you can’t get an erection
5. MedicalNewsToday. ‘What to know about erectile dysfunction’. Last reviewed 18 January 2024. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5702
1. Most cases of ED are secondary. This means that erectile function has been normal but becomes problematic. Causes of a new and persistent problem are usually physical. In rare cases, a person may have primary ED. This is where a person has never achieved an erection. The cause of primary ED may be psychological or the result of a physical condition.
A person should consult a medical professional if they experience persistent erection problems, as an underlying medical condition could be causing the issue. A proper diagnosis can help address any underlying medical issues and help resolve sexual difficulties. Some of the most common physical causes of ED include:
· heart disease and narrowing of blood vessels
· Diabetes
· high blood pressure
· high cholesterol
· obesity and metabolic syndrome
· Parkinson’s disease
· multiple sclerosis
· hormonal disorders, including thyroid conditions and testosterone deficiency
· structural or anatomical disorders of the penis, such as Peyronie disease
· smoking, alcohol use disorder, and substance abuse, including cocaine use
· treatments for prostate disease
· surgical complications
2. Psychological factors can cause or contribute to ED, with factors ranging from treatable mental health conditions to everyday emotional states that most people experience at some time. These are less common than physical causes, however.
Psychological factors can include:
· fear of intimacy
· Depression
· general anxiety
6. Yafi et al. Erectile Dysfunction. Published 4 February 2016. DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.3 Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27188339/
· Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance
· Loss of sustaining capability
· Importantly, men with... erectile dysfunction have lower libidos
· Two major aspects of the male erection, the reflex erection and psychogenic erection, can be involved in the dysfunction and are subject to therapeutic intervention: the reflex erection is achieved by directly touching the penile shaft and is under the control of the peripheral nerves and the lower parts of the spinal cord; and the psychogenic erection is achieved by erotic or emotional stimuli, and uses the limbic system of the brain.
7. CAS-18140-W4M6W4 claim
MAT-XU-2402926 (v1.0) March 2025