IT CAN BE understandably stressful when you can’t perform on demand. But while the process of getting an erection won’t be perfect every time, repeatedly having issues below the belt could be a sign of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Yeah, you’ve heard talk about ED before—but there’s a lot of misinformation swirling out there about it. That’s why you need real information about what could be going on and, even more important, how to solve the issue.
Searching for a remedy could leave you with a bunch of questionable solutions, while seeking actual treatment means having to make time to visit your doctor in-person and then schlepping to your local pharmacy to get your medications. But GoodRx just launched a new convenient and discreet erectile dysfunction subscription service that delivers the prescription medication you need—all without having to deal with in-person visits with anyone.
If all this sounds familiar or you just want to get informed for the just-in-case, here’s what Karla Robinson, MD, a family-medicine physician and medical editor for GoodRx, wants all men to know about managing and treating the condition.
1. It’s more common than you think.
MOST PEOPLE THINK of ED as a problem for older guys, but that’s not always the case. Data show that about 13 percent of men between the ages of 25 and 44 have ED. That jumps to 25 percent of guys between 45 and 54.
And some men are even confused about what ED is in the first place, says Dr. Robinson. She describes the condition as having trouble achieving or maintaining an erection long enough to have a pleasurable experience.
“Sometimes people can have the misconception that it’s only if you can’t achieve an erection at all,” Dr. Robinson says. “But that’s not the case. If you are able to achieve an erection but aren’t able to maintain it throughout the entirety of your sexual experience, then that also qualifies as erectile dysfunction.”
On the other hand, struggling to get hard doesn’t always mean you have ED, either. “Most men may experience trouble having an erection here and there,” Dr. Robinson says, listing off things like being exhausted, having a new partner that you’re really excited about, or having too much to drink as common potential causes of not being able to get hard on demand in a given situation. “ED is typically considered when it happens more often than not,” she says.
If you have concerns or think you might be experiencing ED symptoms, Dr. Robinson recommends speaking with a healthcare professional.
2. ED is a health issue, not a confidence one.
IT SEEMS SIMPLE when everything is working right, but having an erection is actually a complex process. It requires proper blood flow down there, nerve innervation to the penis, and good mental health, Dr. Robinson points out. “If you have any type of issue along any of those three areas—whether it be the blood vessels, the nerves, or the mental-health space—then it’s possible to experience erectile dysfunction,” she says.
ED is also linked to a slew of other factors, including diseases and conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol, certain common medications like antihistamines, mental-health conditions like anxiety and depression, and even slacking on your workout routine.
“More often than not, there is some sort of medical issue at play that’s causing someone’s ED,” Dr. Robinson says. With ED, usually you want to have sex but can’t. In contrast, “if it’s a confidence or performance-anxiety issue, there may be a lack of interest or decreased libido,” she says.
3. ED is a treatable condition.
YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN your share of ads for ED medications and noticed that there are a lot of options out there. Yet plenty of men aren’t taking advantage of them.
Research from GoodRx shows that nearly one in three American men has trouble achieving or maintaining an erection without medication. But only 14 percent of those men are currently using any form of treatment.
One of the most common ways to treat ED is through medications that improve blood flow to the penis, according to Dr. Robinson. “Typically these are the phosphodiesterase 5, or PDE5, inhibitor medications—commonly referred to as the ‘little blue pill,’” she says. “These are tried-and-true. They’ve been used for decades, and we know them to be effective in many people.” (Some studies suggest that PDE5 medications are effective for at least 60 percent of men with ED.)
Once someone is diagnosed with ED, Dr. Robinson says, they’ll usually be prescribed medication as a first-line treatment. Which is the right one for you depends on how often you have sex, how spontaneous you are, and other daily habits. If your ED is more severe or related to a mechanical issue, injections or implants may be a better solution, “but by far, medication is typically the first-choice treatment that most people will start with,” she says.
4. Treatment doesn’t need to be a hassle.
EVEN THOUGH THERE are many ED treatment options available, the inconvenience and perceived stigma deters a lot of guys from getting help. Not to mention the hassle of finding an available appointment with your doctor, making time for an in-person visit, then having to go to the pharmacy to pick up your medication. On top of that, ED treatments often aren’t covered by insurance.
That’s where GoodRx’s ED subscription service comes in.
“We know from our research that ED medications can be expensive and are often not covered by insurance, which can further deter men from getting the treatment they need,” says Katelyn Pelak, vice president and head of product at GoodRx. “GoodRx’s goal is to address these challenges head-on by offering a discreet, convenient, and affordable option for people needing ED medication, regardless of their insurance status.”
Simply chat with a healthcare professional online, often within the hour—no in-person visit required—and answer questions about your medical history and your sexual preferences. From there, it will be reviewed by a medical professional, often within the hour, and you’ll receive a prescription for an FDA-approved ED medication if it’s considered medically appropriate.
The medication will then be delivered straight to your home in discreet packaging at a frequency that you can customize.
GoodRx’s ED subscription service offers affordable and transparent pricing that starts as low as $18 a month, available regardless of insurance status.
Dr. Robinson notes, “GoodRx is a great resource for people who are looking to save on their medications, including on ED medications. That’s why I’m very excited that GoodRx is offering this new service.”
5. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed.
YOUR ED IS unlikely to get better on its own, which makes it important to bring in a healthcare professional about next steps if you want to continue to have a satisfying sex life. Dr. Robinson stresses that you shouldn’t feel weird about having that conversation. “Please understand that as healthcare professionals, we’ve seen it all and heard it all,” she says, adding that they understand this is a sensitive subject that can be hard to talk about.
Whatever your circumstances are, Dr. Robinson says, it’s important to get your ED symptoms checked out. “Don’t be afraid to talk to a healthcare professional about the symptoms you’re having,” she says. “We want to be able to put you at ease and go through the causes and treatment options, and really work together to find the best treatment plan for you, so you can reclaim your sexual health.”
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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