---
title: "Erectile dysfunction: symptoms, causes & treatment"
description: "Difficulty getting or keeping an erection affects around half of men over 40 at some point."
url: "https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/conditions/erectile-dysfunction/"
source: "Sanara Health"
licence: "Quote with attribution and a link to the url above."
---
# Erectile dysfunction: symptoms, causes & treatment

Difficulty getting or keeping an erection affects around half of men over 40 at some point. It’s very treatable — and occasionally an early signpost to circulation issues worth knowing about.

Editorial information by **Kaiser Khan**. Not clinically reviewed.

## Symptoms

- Difficulty getting an erection
- Erections that don’t last for sex
- Reduced morning erections
- Loss of confidence or avoidance of intimacy

## Why it happens

Circulatory factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking), psychological factors (stress, anxiety, low mood), some medicines, alcohol, and less commonly low testosterone. Often it’s a mix.

## Treatment

Effective prescription tablet treatments improve blood flow and work for most men; they require a proper assessment because of interactions with some heart medicines. Addressing underlying causes — and talking therapy for psychological ED — also works well.

## Self-care that helps

Exercise, weight management, stopping smoking, moderating alcohol, and sleep all measurably improve erectile function. If anxiety is in the loop, addressing it directly helps more than ignoring it.

## When to get help

New, persistent ED — especially under 45 or with cardiovascular risk factors — deserves a check rather than just a pill. Sudden ED with pain needs urgent assessment.

[See our erectile dysfunction support →](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/medicines/erectile-dysfunction/)

Go deeper

## Related guides

[Erectile dysfunction: causes, and why it's worth getting checked — ED affects millions of UK men and is highly treatable — but it can also be an early warning sign. A plain-English UK guide to causes and treatment.](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/guides/erectile-dysfunction-causes/)

Available without prescription

## Products that can help

[Men's health — Zinc and selenium supplements](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/mens-zinc-complex/)

[Men's health — Saw palmetto supplements](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/saw-palmetto-prostate/)

[Men's health — Hair nutrient supplements](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/daily-hair-nutrients/)