1 in 5 Brits keep ED diagnosis a secret from their partner

• A third of those aged 18-24 have experienced symptoms of ED

• One in 10 men have not told their partner they are on medication for ED

• Couples therapist reveals how to reignite your sex life if you are struggling with ED

One in 10 men across the globe suffers from ED, with cases expected to rise to 322 million by 2025[1]. Despite the prevalence of this condition and the variety of accessible treatments, ED is still met with stigma, shame and a lack of understanding.

To explore present-day attitudes towards ED and how it is impacting people in their daily lives and romantic relationships, Superdrug Online Doctor has surveyed 2,000 participants from across the UK on their experiences with ED.

Over two-thirds of Brits have experienced ED.

According to the survey, 69% of men and women in the UK have, either themselves or through their partner, experienced ED.

Despite men between the ages of 45-54 years old being most likely to suffer from erectile difficulties (37%), a third of those aged 18-24 have experienced these symptoms demonstrating that, contrary to common perceptions, ED can impact people across all age groups.

When asked how they feel ED is impacting their lives, with romantic relationships (44.2%), mental health (43.8%) and social life (20.4%) being cited as the areas most negatively affected.

How is ED impacting couples in the UK?

The primary concern for women when their partner has developed ED is that their partner no longer finds them attractive (35%), whilst men are most concerned that their partner will find someone else (23%).

In reality, nearly a quarter of women would remain supportive of their partner and only 6% of couples would break up due to ED.

One in 10 men have not told their partner they are on medication for ED.

The data reveals that 62% of men with ED have turned to medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Sildenafil which all work by improving blood flow to the penis.  In a surprising revelation, it has come to light that a considerable number of men are secretly taking these medications without informing their partners. The results of our survey show that one in 10 men across the UK are discreetly taking medication to treat their ED.

The age group of 25 to 34 appears to be the most secretive, with over 17% of individuals in this demographic opting to use ED medication covertly, keeping their partners unaware of their intake. This trend underscores the importance of fostering open dialogues and trust within relationships, especially when it comes to sensitive health matters.

Couples therapist reveals how to reignite your sex life if you are struggling with ED.

Kendra Capalbo, a licensed couples therapist, has provided valuable insight into how couples can work to improve their sex life if one is struggling to achieve or maintain an erection.

“The most effective approach for couples to enhance intimacy and revive their sex life in the presence of ED is to prioritise the journey rather than solely focusing on the end goal. Often, sex becomes too focused on achieving penetrative intercourse and orgasms, couples can benefit from cherishing the connection and intimacy they experience by simply being physically and emotionally close to one another.

Activities such as kissing, touching, holding each other, engaging in skin-to-skin contact, making eye contact, and synchronising breathing can be incredibly pleasurable and intimate. By shifting their mindset away from the notion that sexual activity must always lead to penetrative intercourse, couples can explore new avenues of pleasure and connection, while also alleviating the negative emotions often associated with ED.”