Sexual health problems are more common than many people realise, but they are not always easy to talk about. Changes in erections, ejaculation, sexual desire or arousal can affect confidence as well as relationships. Sometimes the problem is temporary. In other cases, it keeps happening and may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

This page covers three areas of sexual health: erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Each can have different causes, so there is no single treatment that will be right for everyone.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Erectile dysfunction means regularly having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection suitable for sexual activity. An occasional problem is quite normal and can happen because of tiredness, stress, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol.

When erection problems happen regularly, there may be another factor involved. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, hormonal problems, anxiety and some medicines can all play a part.

Treatment therefore depends partly on what is causing the problem.

Oral ED medicines are one of the options commonly considered. These include medicines containing sildenafil or tadalafil, which belong to a group known as PDE5 inhibitors. They support the natural erectile response by increasing blood flow to the penis when sexual stimulation takes place. They do not create sexual desire or cause an automatic erection.

Different ED treatments vary in how quickly they take effect, how long their effects may last and how they interact with food, alcohol and other medicines. This is why choosing an ED treatment should be based on more than simply comparing price or tablet strength.

Lifestyle changes may also help some men. Reducing alcohol intake, stopping smoking, being physically active, managing weight and addressing stress can all form part of the wider approach to erectile difficulties.

Persistent ED should not simply be ignored. In some cases, erection problems can be associated with an underlying health condition, so speaking with a GP, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional can be worthwhile.

Premature Ejaculation Treatments

Premature ejaculation is generally used to describe ejaculation that happens sooner during sexual activity than a man or his partner would like, particularly when it happens repeatedly and causes distress or frustration.

There is no exact amount of time that defines a satisfactory sexual experience for everyone. The important point is whether ejaculation feels difficult to control and whether it is creating an ongoing problem.

PE can be linked to psychological and physical factors. Stress, sexual performance anxiety and relationship difficulties can contribute, while prostate or thyroid problems may sometimes be involved.

Treatment options vary depending on the circumstances. Behavioural approaches, psychosexual counselling, condoms and certain medicines may be considered.

Dapoxetine is a medicine specifically used for premature ejaculation in some men. It is a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is taken when required rather than as a continuous daily treatment. It is not suitable for everybody and can interact with other medicines.

Some men experience both premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. Where this happens, it is useful to consider both issues rather than assuming that they are unrelated.

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

Female sexual dysfunction is a broad term rather than one specific condition. It can include ongoing difficulties with sexual desire, arousal, orgasm or discomfort during sexual activity.

There can be many possible reasons for these changes. Hormonal changes, menopause, pregnancy, certain medicines, stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties and other health conditions can all affect sexual wellbeing.

Because FSD covers several different concerns, the right approach depends on the symptoms and their possible cause. What helps with vaginal dryness, for example, may be very different from the support appropriate for reduced sexual desire.

Options can include changes to existing medication, lubricants or moisturisers, hormonal treatment where clinically appropriate, counselling or psychosexual therapy. A healthcare professional can help identify whether there may be a physical, hormonal, psychological or medication-related factor involved.

Sexual difficulties are personal, and there is no need to compare your experience with anyone else's. If a change is persistent, uncomfortable or affecting your wellbeing or relationship, getting professional advice is a sensible next step.

Choosing a Treatment

It can be tempting to choose a sexual health product based on strength, price or how quickly it is expected to work. These factors matter, but they are only part of the decision.

Your general health, other medicines you take and the nature of your symptoms also need to be considered. Some sexual health medicines are unsuitable for people with particular heart, blood pressure, liver or kidney conditions, while potentially serious interactions can occur with certain medicines.

For example, sildenafil should not normally be taken with nitrate medicines used for chest pain. This is one reason why a proper suitability check matters before using a medicine for the first time.

Never take more than the recommended amount in an attempt to make a treatment work faster or more strongly.

Buying Sexual Health Treatments Online

Privacy and convenience are two of the main reasons people look for sexual health treatments online. However, where you obtain a medicine matters just as much as the product itself.

Medicines sold through unregulated websites or social media accounts may not meet UK standards. Products can be falsified, incorrectly labelled or contain unexpected amounts of an active ingredient.

Before obtaining medicine online, check who is supplying it and whether the pharmacy or seller has the appropriate UK registration. You should also be given clear information about the medicine, possible side effects and circumstances in which it should not be used.

Finding the Right Next Step

ED, PE and FSD can all have more than one cause, and treatment does not need to begin with guesswork. Understanding the problem first makes it easier to decide what type of support or treatment may be appropriate.

Take time to read the relevant treatment information, including possible side effects, interactions and suitability. If symptoms are persistent, have appeared suddenly or you are unsure which option is appropriate, speak with a GP, pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional before starting treatment.