New Warmth, New Confidence: Why Spring Is the Perfect Time to Take Control of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction in the UK: The Numbers Tell a Vital Story

Erectile dysfunction — the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity — is one of the most common men’s health conditions in the UK, and one of the least discussed. An estimated 5 million men in the UK, roughly 1 in 5 adult men, experience some form of ED. Among men aged 40–70, the figure rises to approximately 50–55%, according to data from the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS).

But ED is no longer simply an older man’s concern. Research compiled in 2025 shows that 74.6% of men aged 25–34 have experienced ED during sexual encounters, with psychological factors including performance anxiety, stress, and lifestyle behaviours driving an increasing share of cases in younger men. A real-world study published in BMC Urology found that across 12,490 UK men, 41.5% reported experiencing ED, with those affected showing significantly higher rates of associated conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and depression.

This link between ED and wider health is not incidental. Because the penile arteries are considerably smaller than the coronary arteries, they often show signs of restricted blood flow first, making ED an important early indicator of cardiovascular and metabolic health that should never be dismissed or ignored. Research from King’s College London has highlighted that ED is associated with a +43% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a +68% increased risk of dementia.

ED PREVALENCE BY AGE GROUP — UK MEN

Sources: BAUS (2024); PMC9159135 — Viatris/Queen’s University Belfast real-world study;

Why So Many Men Stay Silent — And Why That’s Changing

Despite its prevalence, many men with ED actively avoid seeking medical advice. The reasons are well-documented: embarrassment, the assumption that ED is simply part of getting older, concerns about raising the subject with a GP, and the fear of what underlying health issues might be uncovered. Only around 1 in 3 men with ED in the UK currently seek medical help.

Spring, and the psychological lift it brings, is a naturally motivating moment to change that. The seasonal renewal that makes people reassess their diet, exercise, and health habits extends, for many men, to the more private aspects of their wellbeing. And the landscape of treatment access has shifted dramatically in recent years, making it far easier to get safe, effective help without the discomfort of a face-to-face GP conversation.

Two landmark decisions by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have transformed accessibility. In 2018, Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg) became the first ED treatment to be reclassified as a pharmacy medicine, available without a prescription. In March 2023, Cialis Together (tadalafil 10mg) followed — the second ED treatment to be approved for over-the-counter supply in the UK. Both are now available through GPhC-registered online pharmacies, including Happy Pharmacy, following a brief online consultation.

Viagra Connect and Cialis Together: How They Work

Both Viagra Connect and Cialis Together belong to the class of medicines known as PDE5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors). According to NHS and NICE guidelines, PDE5 inhibitors are the recommended first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction, with proven safety and effectiveness across a broad range of patients.⁸ They work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the blood vessels supplying the penis, increasing blood flow in response to sexual stimulation. Crucially, they require sexual arousal to work — they do not cause spontaneous erections.

Long-Term Safety: What the Evidence Shows

A key concern for many men is whether ED treatments are safe to take long term. The clinical evidence on this is reassuring. A study examining men who used sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra Connect) over a four-year period found it to be both safe and effective for extended use. A separate study involving 1,173 men with ED reported that tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis Together) was safe and well-tolerated throughout a two-year study duration with no evidence of reduced effectiveness over time.⁹

Both treatments are contraindicated with nitrate medicines (commonly prescribed for heart conditions), and a pharmacist or prescriber must always assess suitability before supply. This is why the shift to regulated online consultations — rather than simply buying tablets with no assessment at all — is so important for patient safety.

In February 2026, the MHRA issued a major safety warning about the scale of illegal ED medicine supply in the UK. Between 2021 and 2025, its Criminal Enforcement Unit seized approximately 19.5 million doses of unlicensed, often counterfeit ED pills — with 4.4 million doses seized in 2025 alone. Many contained no active ingredient. Others contained substances dangerous to health. The message from the regulator was unambiguous: only buy ED medication from GPhC-registered pharmacies.

Online Consultation: Safe, Personal, and Genuinely Discreet

One of the most significant shifts in men’s healthcare over the past decade has been the rise of regulated online consultations. For many men, the ability to access safe, effective ED treatment without the discomfort of a GP appointment is transformative. At Happy Pharmacy, this process is personal, clinician-led, and fully compliant with 2025 GPhC requirements for online prescribing.

The consultation process at Happy Pharmacy takes a few minutes, involves real two-way clinical assessment, and ensures that Viagra Connect or Cialis Together — or a prescription-only alternative if that better suits your needs — is only recommended when it is safe and appropriate for you specifically. Our prescribers are UK-qualified, our dispensing is regulated, and our packaging is discreet.

Spring is also a psychologically powerful time to take action. Research consistently shows that seasonal transitions support habit change and health motivation. Whether ED is affecting your relationship, your confidence, or simply your quality of life, the appropriate professional support is available — privately, without judgement, and without delay.

Lifestyle Factors: The Spring Advantage

Many cases of ED — particularly in younger men — are influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors. The NHS cites smoking, alcohol, obesity, high blood pressure, and a sedentary lifestyle as key contributors. Spring’s longer days, improved weather, and natural motivation for outdoor activity all create favourable conditions for the lifestyle changes that can meaningfully improve erectile function over time.

Obesity, for example, increases the risk of developing ED by around 50%, while men with depression are 40% more likely to experience ED. Addressing these contributing factors — alongside appropriate medical treatment where needed — gives the most comprehensive route to improvement. Happy Pharmacy’s clinical team can advise on all aspects of this, from treatment selection to lifestyle guidance, as part of your personal online consultation.

The Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Accept It

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most treatable conditions in men’s health, yet it remains one of the least treated, held back by stigma and the discomfort of asking for help. The treatments available today — Viagra Connect, Cialis Together, and prescription alternatives where needed — are safe, effective, and recommended by the NHS as first-line therapy.

Spring is a natural moment to reassess and take action. At Happy Pharmacy, a regulated, personal online consultation takes minutes and can give you access to the right treatment, quickly, discreetly, and with clinical support every step of the way. Whatever is driving your ED — physical, psychological, or a combination of both — the answer starts with a conversation. And that conversation has never been easier to have.

Blog medically reviewed by : Nigel Howard, GPhC Registered Prescriber, 14 April 2026

REFERENCES

1.     British Association of Urological Surgeons. Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

2.     King’s College London. The global prevalence of erectile dysfunction.

3.     MHRA reclassifies Cialis Together tablets to a Pharmacy medicine. GOV.UK. 

4.     NHS. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) — treatment. 

This blog is for informational purposes only. Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before starting any medication.