Impotence doesn't have to mean
the end of your love life.
We offer a range of treatments to help
regain your confidence.

Impotence

Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, is a very common problem that affects millions of men worldwide. In the UK alone, 2.3 million men are estimated to suffer from impotence, and as many as one in ten men are expected to experience this condition at some point in their lives. Although it is often seen as being more predominant in older men, many younger men suffer from it too, due to issues such as stress, anxiety and depression.

Fortunately, the outlook for men with this problem has improved significantly over the last ten years, thanks to the invention of oral impotence medications.

Dr Hilary Jones
OnlineClinic Medical Advisor

"Discreet online clinics like OnlineClinic enable men to seek effective treatment for impotence."

On this page: What is impotence?; What causes erectile dysfunction?; What are the symtoms of impotence?; What treatment options are available for erectile dysfunction?

Treatment Options

Manufactured byViagra: Viagra was the first prescription medication ever developed for the treatment of impotence. It contains an active ingredient called sildenafil citrate, which works to increase blood flow to your penis. Remaining effective for up to four hours, the medication helps you to achieve and maintain an erection.; More information

Manufactured byCialis: Cialis is the longest lasting impotence treatment available. For a period of up to 36 hours it allows men to gain and maintain a stronger erection. It contains tadalafil, which improves blood flow to the penis. This medication is clinically proven to be both safe and effective. It can be taken in either a 10mg or 20mg dose.; More information

Manufactured byLevitra: Levitra can become effective in as little as 15 minutes, making this medication the fastest-acting treatment for impotence available. It contains an ingredient called vardenafil and can be effective for up to 5 hours. It's comparatively low dosage means it is particularly recommended to older men and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.; More information

Manufactured byCialis A Day: Cialis A Day is the only impotence treatment that is available for daily use. A single tablet is taken every day to provide 24 hour treatment for impotence. This allows men to enjoy greater spontaneity in their sex lives. Like standard Cialis it contains tadalafil and increases blood flow in the same way as the as-needed treatment. It can be taken as a 2.5mg or 5mg dose.; More information

Manufactured byImpotence Trial Pack: The Impotence Trial Pack can help you make your choice if you are unsure as to which impotence medication is right for you. It contains either four or eight tablets each of Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Levitra Orodispersible in the dosage of your choice. You can then try each medication to help you decide which is most suitable for you.; More information

Manufactured byLevitra Orodispersible: Levitra Orodispersible is the dissolvable form of the impotence treatment Levitra. It is the only impotence medication of its kind and is effective in as little as 15 minutes. The tablet dissolves directly onto the tongue and the active ingredient vardenafil works to improve blood flow, allowing men to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient to complete intercourse.; More information

What is impotence?

Impotence, otherwise known as erectile dysfunction, is classified as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection to complete sexual intercourse or sexual activity with a partner. Impotence is seen as taboo for many sufferers, which is why so many men go years without seeking treatment. This is partly due to the sufferer's sense of embarrassment and the lack of awareness about available impotence treatments such as Viagra and Cialis.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Impotence can be caused by a variety of factors, which can be physical, psychological or due to your daily lifestyle. It's estimated that 75% of all long-term erectile dysfunction cases result directly from physical problems, with psychological and lifestyle factors accounting for most short-term erectile problems.

Men who suffer from physically-induced erectile dysfunction often find that they gradually lose the ability to have an erection. There are a number of causes of physically-induced impotence, which include:

Diabetes
Hardening of the arteries
Heart, liver or kidney problems
Cerebral or spinal cord injuries
Abdominal, pelvic or prostate surgery
High blood pressure or high cholesterol
Multiple sclerosis or other neurological diseases

Some men who suffer from impotence can still achieve an erection, albeit inconsistently. This is often the result of psychological causes that may include:

Relationship problems
Guilt
Depression
Sexual boredom
Routine stress and anxiety
Exhaustion
Performance anxiety
Unresolved sexual orientation

Various lifestyle causes of erectile dysfunction may include:

Stress
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Obesity
Recreational medication use

What are the symptoms of impotence?

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for the completion of satisfactory intercourse. This could mean that you are unable to get an erection or that you lose your erection before or during penetration. If you experience this problem several times within a short period of time, you would be advised to seek further advice and treatment.

What treatment options are available for erectile dysfunction?

As studies continue, there are more treatments being unveiled to suit the needs of men who suffer from impotence.

Prescription medications

There are five medications currently available for erectile dysfunction: Viagra, Cialis, Cialis Daily, Levitra and Levitra Orodispersible. Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Levitra Orodispersible should be taken as needed, about 30 minutes before you have sex, while Cialis Daily is taken once a day, every day. Both Viagra and Levitra last for around four hours. Cialis lasts for up to 36 hours, which is why it's often called the "weekend pill". Cialis Daily is taken every day as a low daily dose, and remains consistently in your system.

If you're unsure which medication to choose, you can always ask our doctors for advice. Alternatively, we offer an Impotence Trial Pack, which includes doses of each medication so you can discover which one best suits your body and your lifestyle.

Psychosexual therapy and counselling

If your problem is psychological, then counselling may be a more effective solution than medical treatment. Therapy is a very successful method used in helping to re-establish sexual relationships, especially for couples who have not had sex for a long time.

Vacuum pumps cannot treat erectile dysfunction, but they can help you to enhance your sexual performance if your problem is not serious. These devices have a plastic cylinder and pump which, when used, will help blood to flow to the penis, making it easier to achieve an erection. A tension ring can be used to maintain the erection around the base of the penis once the pump is removed.

A doctor or nurse is required to demonstrate the use of injections as a treatment option. A medication is directly injected into the shaft of the penis to achieve an erection, which usually follows within 15 minutes.