Erectile dysfunction can be caused by psychological factors, medical conditions, and certain medications. In younger men with variable or situational ED, sexual performance anxiety or low self-esteem can lead to stress and anxiety that restricts 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.

Through our platform, providers can help identify the cause of and best treatment for your erectile dysfunction.

Get stimulated and the pills can take it from there. 

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 pills work by blocking PDE5 and preventing this shut off. That keeps your erection going longer and stronger.

The most suitable ED treatment will depend on your preferences and sex life. Each ED treatment takes a certain amount of time to take effect, and lasts for a different period of time.

Sildenafil or Viagra® takes effect in 1 hour, and lasts for 4 hours. This is a popular choice for first time users and for guys who prefer to take a pill as-needed just before having sex. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra® and is much cheaper.

Tadalafil takes effect in 30 minutes and lasts for up to 36 hours. This is preferred by guys who want to have sex over a longer period of time such as a weekend.

Tadalafil Daily is a daily tablet that gives you the freedom to enjoy spontaneous sex without needing to plan ahead. It takes effect in 30 minutes and lasts for up to 36 hours, keeping a baseline level of tadalafil in your body each day.

The traditional oral pill medications for ED available through Hims are clinically approved in the United Kingdom, based on extensive, high-quality clinical trials. These trials have uniformly demonstrated that ED medications are safe and effective for the vast majority of men.

Just like with any doctor’s visit, it is important to be honest during your online ED consultation so that your clinician can identify risks that these medications might pose to you based on your specific medical history and medications.

The most effective pill must work in concert with your body, lifestyle and, in some cases, your mind. Although all PDE5 inhibitors have all been clinically proven to be effective for treating ED, some may act faster, last longer, work regardless of food intake, etc. With enough information, a clinician can help you find an ED medication and dosage that is right for you. You may connect with clinicians and receive ongoing care through our platform.

In general, ED treatment side effects are mild and temporary. Common side effects include headaches, flushed skin, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), runny nose, back pain and upset stomach. A full list of possible side effects is available in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your treatment. You should read this leaflet carefully before taking your treatment.

Clinicians recommend that men who’ve suffered from heart disturbances, heart attacks as well as strokes exercise caution regarding ED treatments.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and erectile dysfunction, talk to a clinician to learn which ED treatments are appropriate and which are not. For example, alternative treatments or reduced dosage medication may be advisable while dangerous interactions between common heart medications (i.e. nitrates) and PDE5s should be avoided.

Diuretics, alpha blockers and beta blockers are some of the high blood pressure medications commonly associated with ED. However, untreated high blood pressure can also cause erectile dysfunction, so it is important to get your blood pressure under control for both your health and your erection. If you start experiencing erectile dysfunction after beginning blood pressure medication, talk to your prescribing clinician.

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 behaviors like cigarette smoking can make a big difference and allow you to enjoy a whole lifetime of healthy sexual function.

Therapy: 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.

Reduce alcohol consumption: if you frequently experience ED after drinking alcohol, the alcohol may actually be the cause of your erectile dysfunction. Try having sex without alcohol to see if that solves the problem.

No, an enlarged prostate cannot cause ED. However, ED and prostate enlargement (also called BPH, benign prostatic hypertrophy) are both common problems that occur with increasing frequency as men age. Interestingly, Tadalafil Daily is not only a clinically proven treatment for ED. It is also approved to treat urinary symptoms that can result from an enlarged prostate like a weak stream, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency. If you have both ED and symptoms from an enlarged prostate, Tadalafil Daily might be a great treatment option.

Yes, low testosterone can cause ED in some men. However, the threshold level of testosterone needed to maintain normal erectile function is actually fairly low. Although testosterone deficiency is a common condition, most affected men have symptoms other than erectile dysfunction. You should be evaluated for testosterone deficiency if you have ED and have noticed that you are more fatigued than you would expect, have low desire, and/or trouble maintaining your muscle mass. Testosterone deficiency is not likely to be the cause of ED in men with normal sexual desire, energy and physical strength.