What is erectile dysfunction?

Most men will have some difficulty getting an erection from time to time. It can happen if you’re tired, stressed, distracted or have drunk too much alcohol. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is only a problem if it happens regularly. ED can happen at any age but becomes more common as you get older.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by physical problems, including:Narrowed blood vessels (vascular disease)DiabetesHigh blood pressureNerve problemsHormone changes It can also be an "early warning" sign of heart disease. Psychological issues such as stress, depression or anxiety also contribute to the problem. Often, it's a combination of physical and psychological factors.

Our erectile dysfunction service

You can use our online service to order your ED treatment.Answer some questions about your health.A doctor checks your answers and approves a treatment that’s right for you.We’ll send your prescription to a local pharmacy. You can pick up your treatment and pay for it the same day.

Your lifestyle and health affect your ability to get or keep an erection. Certain factors increase the risk, including:SmokingBeing overweightHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolDiabetesThe good news is that you can improve your ED with lifestyle changes:Exercise regularlyLose weight if you need toQuit smokingEat a healthy dietCut down your alcohol Manage stress

Psychological therapy

Counselling or other types of psychological therapy can help with emotional issues like stress or anxiety that may be causing your ED.

Some men find natural therapies helpful for ED. These can include acupuncture and homoeopathy. However, there’s little scientific evidence to show these are effective.

Penis or vacuum pumps

Penis or vacuum pumps can help treat ED. You place your penis in the tube device and pump out the air. The vacuum draws blood into the penis, making it erect. You then place a rubber ring around the base of your penis and remove the tube. The ring keeps the blood in place, allowing you to keep an erection for up to 30 minutes. You must remove the rubber ring after a maximum of 30 minutes.Most men are able to have sex after using a pump, regardless of the root cause of their ED.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment | Lloyds Online Doctor IE

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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a problem getting or keeping an erection. It’s common, affecting half of Irish men over 50.

More information

How our service works

Step 1

Select a medication and complete a short questionnaire.

Step 2

A doctor will review your answers and, if suitable, provide a prescription.

Step 3

Choose collection from your pharmacy with payment in store, or delivery via Healthwave where available. Healthwave orders must be paid for before dispatch.

About erectile dysfunction

What is erectile dysfunction?

Most men will have some difficulty getting an erection from time to time. It can happen if you’re tired, stressed, distracted or have drunk too much alcohol. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is only a problem if it happens regularly. ED can happen at any age but becomes more common as you get older.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by physical problems, including:
- Narrowed blood vessels (vascular disease)
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Nerve problems
- Hormone changes
It can also be an "early warning" sign of heart disease. Psychological issues such as stress, depression or anxiety also contribute to the problem.
Often, it's a combination of physical and psychological factors.
Erectile dysfunction treatments

Medications such as Viagra are effective for ED. They help you get and keep an erection. But ED medication does not fix the health issues that might be causing it. You need to see a doctor to check for and treat those problems.
Our erectile dysfunction service
You can use our online service to order your ED treatment.
1. Answer some questions about your health.
2. A doctor checks your answers and approves a treatment that’s right for you.
3. We’ll send your prescription to a local pharmacy. You can pick up your treatment and pay for it the same day.

Erectile dysfunction treatment comparison

	Viagra	Sildenafil	Cialis	Levitra
Active ingredient	Sildenafil	Sildenafil	Tadalafil	Vardenafil
Time to take effect	60 minutes	60 minutes	30 minutes	30-60 minutes
Duration of effect	Up to 4 hours	Up to 4 hours	Up to 36 hours	4-5 hours
Distinguishing features	Most well known treatment	Generic alternative to Viagra	Longer duration of effect	Recommended for diabetics
Price per prescription	€25	€25	€25	€25

Alternative erectile dysfunction treatments

Lifestyle changes
Your lifestyle and health affect your ability to get or keep an erection. Certain factors increase the risk, including:
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
The good news is that you can improve your ED with lifestyle changes:
- Exercise regularly
- Lose weight if you need to
- Quit smoking
- Eat a healthy diet
- Cut down your alcohol
- Manage stress
Psychological therapy

Counselling or other types of psychological therapy can help with emotional issues like stress or anxiety that may be causing your ED.
Natural therapies

Some men find natural therapies helpful for ED. These can include acupuncture and homoeopathy. However, there’s little scientific evidence to show these are effective.
Penis or vacuum pumps

Penis or vacuum pumps can help treat ED. You place your penis in the tube device and pump out the air. The vacuum draws blood into the penis, making it erect. You then place a rubber ring around the base of your penis and remove the tube. The ring keeps the blood in place, allowing you to keep an erection for up to 30 minutes. You must remove the rubber ring after a maximum of 30 minutes.
Most men are able to have sex after using a pump, regardless of the root cause of their ED.