Men's Health Articles

I can’t take viagra, are there other erectile dysfunction treatments?

Viagra is always hailed as a wonder pill but it is very important to understand what is causing your ED in the first place before taking a tablet. You should speak to your GP and ask for blood tests and physical examinations so that they can find the best treatment. Alternative therapies include other tablets, injectable therapies, vacuum pump devices and penile implant surgery.

I’m finding it hard to get a full erection, what shall I do?

Up to 50% of men at the age of 50 have some form of sexual dysfunction but this can vary hugely from patient to patient. You should go to your GP and ask for an assessment. Some of the most common causes for ED are obesity, diabetes,  hyperlipidaemia, smoking excess, low testosterone and alcohol intake.

My boyfriend won’t talk to me about his ED, do you have any advice? 

Losing an erection earlier than expected is not uncommon and there is no organic, singular cause. Performance anxiety, premature ejaculation, as well as problems related to blood flow or previous trauma could all be to blame.

The best thing you can do to get him talking is to reassure him that what is happening is not uncommon. You could then encourage him to visit his GP for a basic examination to ensure there isn't an anatomical problem causing the issue. 

My wife cannot sleep because of hot flushes and it’s keeping me awake - what can I do?

I am a big advocate of sleeping separately if the situation requires it. It may help you both as you will hopefully get better sleep and your wife will not feel guilty about disturbing your sleep. Around 25-30% of couples actually sleep separately, it is not a sign of problems in your relationship. You could also help your wife to keep cool at night by choosing bed sheets made of natural fibres and helping her to keep cool before you go to bed.

Are there any supplements that I can take to help me sleep?

There are loads of supplements available but hardly any of them have scientific evidence to support their use. It’s best to try to remedy your sleep without taking tablets. Try to wind down for at least 30 minutes before you go to bed, this will mean your worries are put to bed before you go to sleep. You could also try thought blocking by repeating a word or doing a mental puzzle. This will trick your brain into sleeping as you won’t be focusing on your worries or intrusive thoughts.

I am constantly tired, could my anti-depressants be the problem?

Low mood and a feeling of fatigue often go hand in hand but your medications could be contributing to your tiredness too. It might be worth checking in with your GP about possible side effects. From there you can weigh up the effectiveness of the treatment. It is also possible that you may be suffering from an undiagnosed sleep problem like snoring or sleep apnoea. You could be completely unaware of this so you should visit your GP for assessment. 

If you need extra support for your health, our talkmenshealth hub is open 24 hours a day! Also, our mysleep support programme is a brilliant resource for those needing a helping hand at night.