Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 10th July 2019

For many men, the effects of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be tough. Men can experience increased anxiety, diminished self-confidence, and even a sense of emasculation as a result of not being able to get or maintain an erection. Numan - an exciting new men's health and wellbeing brand - is attempting to transform the way men view ED by shutting down the taboos that surround the issue. Numan offers a supportive platform that helps men find both treatment options but also expert advice on ways to overcome the problem in the long run. We caught up with them about how addressing ED can be an empowering thing for men.

Boosting Confidence 

The inability to achieve an erection can leave men feeling, well, deflated. However, one study found that men who took sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) reported “significantly greater improvement” in their self-esteem, confidence, and sexual relationship satisfaction. According to the paper, the increase in the men’s self-assurance was correlated with their renewed ability to get an erection. Although sildenafil can make men feel more confident, it is important to note that it’s not the medication itself that improves men’s self-esteem. Sildenafil simply works by increasing the flow of blood to your penis, making it easier to get an erection when you become aroused. Instead, the reason for the men’s increased confidence is more likely to be down to the improved psychological quality of life (and relief) that comes from regaining the ability to achieve an erection.

Better relationships 

Erectile dysfunction can put significant strain on a relationship. A survey by Co-op Pharmacy revealed 27% of men would rather break up with their partner than talk to their GP about their ED. The same survey discovered that 31% of men broke up with a partner because of their ED. However, sildenafil has been shown to improve “overall relationship satisfaction” in men with ED. One trial studying the effect of sildenafil in men across four countries found that they also experienced increased sexual relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, and confidence. Similarly, improvements in partner satisfaction have also been reported in other studies, suggesting sildenafil not only leads to increased relationship satisfaction for the user, but also for their partner too.

Safely ordering ED Medication online  

A word of warning, though. Not all ED medication is built the same. In fact, a significant proportion of ED medication sold online is believed to be fake - up to 77% according to a recent study. To make sure you stay safe when buying medication online, make sure to only ever buy from vendors registered with the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This means that any medication provided has been licenced to be safely sold in the UK. To get a medication prescription online, you will need to complete a form of online consultation, which then has to be approved by a registered clinician. Once your request has been approved, your medication is delivered straight to your door in a discreet package within 48 hours. New businesses like Numan entering the market are helping to transform the health and wellbeing industry, making consumers safer in the process. Numan is taking an honest approach to medicine, and the aim to provide “medicines for men” and “knowledge for everyone” (so their strapline goes) helps men begin to feel more confident, self-assured, and empowered in a culture that attempts to disempower them for suffering from what is, in fact, a very common condition.

We put the spotlight on Erectile Dysfunction Treatment and Safely Ordering ED Medication online in this blog post about Tackling the Tackle Taboo.