If you’re living with symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) you may sometimes feel at a loss about how to move forward. ED is a condition that impacts not only a person’s physical health but also the emotional and intimate aspects of a relationship.

Try to remember that while ED can feel isolating, you are not alone. And though you may not be aware, many couples are going through a similar situation.

• Research indicates that 1 in every 3 Irish men have experienced difficulty achieving an erection, with 1 in 5 indicating that they experience ED symptoms regularly.

Although erectile dysfunction is a common problem experienced by men, it is something that can lead to strain or tension in any relationship. If you are affected by it, it’s important to maintain open and clear communication so you can talk through it with your partner. Doing so will build bonds through an enhanced mutual understanding and can help to dispel any myths about the condition.

How Erectile Dysfunction Affects Your Relationship

While the immediate symptoms may be happening to one person, the misconceptions about erectile dysfunction may lead to misplaced blame or feelings of inadequacy and these can form cracks in relationships for both partners.

It can feel awkward to talk about sex and intimacy but it’s important to establish honest communication to understand that ED is often the result of physical health issues and not a lack of desire or attraction.

Erectile Dysfunction Is Affecting My or My Partner’s Confidence

ED is often caused by other health issues such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and is a common problem for men throughout Ireland. While ED symptoms can cause a dip in confidence, there are treatment options that can help. One such treatment option is Viagra Connect^®, a treatment for men aged 18 years and older with erectile dysfunction. Viagra Connect^® is available in pharmacies without a prescription and can help you get and maintain an erection.

For partners, it’s important to remember that erection problems are not a direct link to emotional intimacy and are not a sign of a lack of attraction or desire. Having an honest conversation may feel intimidating, however an open talk about how you are feeling can be the first step towards understanding the situation. There are also resources to help educate yourself on common misconceptions about ED.

Nobody Is to Blame for Erection Problems

It’s easy to isolate yourself when faced with health issues that affect intimacy as these are often seen as taboo to discuss, and avoidance of the topic can cause self-blame through misconceptions.

From a partner's perspective you may find yourself worrying that he has lost interest or that he is seeing another person, but again erectile dysfunction is not related to sexual attraction or desire.

However, a person dealing with erectile dysfunction can experience a dip in libido due to the emotional impact ED can have on their mental health, so when discussing the topic try to focus on their well-being and talking through how you’re feeling without seeming as though you’re blaming them.

Learn more about how to talk about erectile dysfunction with your partner.

Erectile Dysfunction can be related to underlying health conditions

While the conversation around erection problems can feel uncomfortable and sometimes even make men feel insecure about their masculinity, it is worth remembering that 90% of men with ED have at least one underlying physical cause. In addition to this, 10% have psychological causes at the core of the issue. Just a few of the causes of erectile dysfunction are:

• cardiovascular disease
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• smoking
• high cholesterol
• lack of exercise

Seek Professional Advice on ED

With all of this in mind, we always recommend talking to your pharmacist for advice on ED or seeing your doctor to get a full assessment of your health. This is something you can do alone, or indeed it’s something you can do with your partner if you wish.

How Your Pharmacist Can Help with ED

Your pharmacist will be able to offer confidential, professional advice on suitable treatment of erectile dysfunction. Viagra Connect^® is one of the most popular over the counter treatments for ED symptoms* and by talking with your pharmacist and answering some short questions related to your health, they will be able to advise if Viagra Connect^® is the right treatment for you.

How Your Doctor Can Help with ED

If you or your pharmacist feels that an underlying health issue is causing the erection problems, the next step is to make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will do some basic health assessments to rule out or identify any physical or psychological cause of your ED.

*Source: IQVIA MAT (moving annual total) market share data October 2024.