Erectile Dysfunction Myths

Dealing erectile dysfunction (ED) is far from a rare thing. In our latest survey of 2,000 UK men, 28% said they had difficulty getting or keeping an erection in the past 12 months.

So why aren’t more people talking about it? It can be easier to turn to Google than speaking to a friend, family member or clinician. The only problem is that the internet is filled with so many myths and misconceptions that you might not end up with the most reliable information.

That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about erectile dysfunction. We’re here to bust myths, give you the facts, and help you get your confidence back.

Three key takeaways

• Erectile dysfunction is mainly caused by poor circulation to the penis, which is linked to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, it can also be caused by psychological or hormonal issues.
• While some medications can cause erectile dysfunction, most drugs don't contribute to ED.
• Erectile dysfunction can be treated through lifestyle changes, like addressing stress, anxiety, or alcohol use, or with medications like Viagra.

 

The most commonly asked erectile dysfunction myths

Below, Ian Budd, our Prescriber and Clinical Lead at Chemist4U, has answered some of the most commonly asked questions about erectile dysfunction.

Can young men get erectile dysfunction? 

Yes, while ED becomes more common as you get older, it can affect men in their 20s and 30s too. Research has found that one in four men newly diagnosed with ED were under 40  

Our own research found something similar. In our survey of 2,000 UK men nearly a third (29%) of men aged 18-34 had difficulty getting or keeping an erection while worrying about their sexual performance in the past 12 months. 

Common causes of erectile dysfunction in young men include: 

• stress and anxiety 

• drinking a lot of alcohol 

• smoking 

• recreational drugs 

• tiredness 

In younger men, ED is often linked to stress or performance anxiety. But it can also be an early sign of a problem with your heart or blood flow. If it keeps happening, speak to your GP so they can check what's causing it.  

Is erectile dysfunction always a physical problem? 

No, erectile dysfunction isn’t always just a physical problem. Vascular disease is the main cause of long-term ED, but your mind plays a big part too. To get an erection, your body needs to be relaxed. Stress and anxiety release adrenaline, which narrows your blood vessels and makes it harder for blood to reach the penis. 

Performance anxiety is one of the most common psychological causes of ED. In our survey, 30% of men said they'd experienced performance anxiety during sex with a partner in the past 12 months. Over the same period, 28% had difficulty getting or keeping an erection while also feeling anxious about their performance. 

Once it happens, worrying that it'll happen again can make it more likely, and that's how a cycle can start. Find out more in our guides to sexual performance anxiety and psychological ED. 

Can you still have sex if you have erectile dysfunction? 

Yes, you can still have sex while you’re dealing with ED. Sex doesn't have to include penetration, and lots of people find other types of sex acts just as satisfying. 

Plenty of men still see penetration as the main event. In our survey, 53% of men said penetration is an essential part of sex, and almost one in four (24%) had felt pressure for sex with a partner to include or end with penetration in the past 12 months. 

Some men also believe their partner needs penetration to enjoy sex. 30% of men think penetration is essential for a female partner to experience pleasure, rising to 44% of men aged 18-24. But pleasure doesn't have to depend on penetration, and touch, foreplay, and oral sex can be just as enjoyable for both of you. 

The good news is that 66% of men feel confident giving a female partner pleasure without penetration, and more than half (55%) said that learning more about female anatomy and pleasure would boost their confidence. Taking the focus off penetration can take the pressure off you too, which may make it easier to get and keep an erection. 

If you have a partner, talking openly about what you both enjoy can help. Our guide to supporting a partner with ED has more tips. 

Does Viagra give you an erection straight away? 

No. Viagra (sildenafil) and other ED tablets don't cause an erection on their own. They work by increasing blood flow to the penis, but you still need to be sexually aroused for them to work. 

That means foreplay still matters. Taking your time with touch and foreplay helps you get aroused, which gives the tablet the best chance of working. Find out more in our guide to how Viagra works. 

Does ramipril cause erectile dysfunction?

Medications like ramipril, which is used to treat high blood pressure, may cause ED in a small number of cases. If you're taking ramipril and are experiencing ED speak to your doctor.

Can an enlarged prostate cause erectile dysfunction?

While an enlarged prostate itself doesn't directly cause ED, they share underlying vascular and neurological factors and can often occur together. Some treatments for an enlarged prostate can cause ED. Always discuss symptoms of an enlarged prostate with your GP, whether they lead to ED or not.

Does porn cause erectile dysfunction?

No, watching porn regularly or for a long time won't cause erectile dysfunction. However, excessive porn use can cause you to have an unrealistic attitude towards sex, which may cause ED.

Do aspirins help with erectile dysfunction?

Whether or not aspirin can help with erectile dysfunction would depend on the cause of the ED. It's not a treatment that doctors would recommend for ED as taking aspirin can risk increased bleeding, so you shouldn't self-treat ED with aspirin.

Does masturbation cause erectile dysfunction?

No, masturbation doesn't cause erectile dysfunction. Masturbation is completely natural, and while frequently masturbating can lead to delayed orgasms and smaller volumes of ejaculate, it won't impact your ability to get an erection.

Do statins cause erectile dysfunction?

The incidence of ED with statins is unknown, but it may be a rare side effect. However, statins may actually help ED by reducing cholesterol and improving vascular function. There is little known evidence either way.

You can find out more about statins side effects in our guide.

Does weed cause erectile dysfunction?

Weed may cause erectile dysfunction in some men, with some studies finding that marijuana use can impact sex drive, erections and the ability to orgasm.

Can you still get pregnant with a man who experiences erectile dysfunction?

Yes, ED doesn't normally affect sperm production, so you can still get pregnant with a man who is experiencing erectile dysfunction. However, conception may be difficult due to ED. If you're looking to start a family, treating ED will help you to have sex to completion, and, therefore, may improve the chance of conception.

Does having a vasectomy cause erectile dysfunction?

No, having a vasectomy doesn't impact your ability to get an erection. It also isn't known to lead to changes in your sex drive.

Do blood thinners cause erectile dysfunction?

There's no clear evidence that blood thinners can cause erectile dysfunction. The correlation may be that elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and receiving blood thinners experience ED. But this is more likely due to their age and disease state, rather than the blood thinner medication.

Can energy drinks cause erectile dysfunction?

The caffeine in energy drinks may help improve ED if used in moderation. Too many energy drinks can affect natural sleep, and exhaustion can be a cause of ED.

Does beet juice help erectile dysfunction?

More research is needed to confirm if beet juice can affect ED. However, it can help your body produce nitric oxide, which contributes to maintaining pressure in the corpus cavernosum, which is the tissue in your penis.

Does creatine cause erectile dysfunction?

Creatine is a natural substance found in muscle tissue. It has not been associated with erectile dysfunction.

Does metformin cause erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction isn't a listed side effect of metformin and hasn't been directly associated with ED. However, if you’re taking metformin to treat type 2 diabetes, the diabetes may be contributing to your ED.

What is the main cause of erectile dysfunction?

Vascular disease is the main cause of ED. However, some people may experience psychological erectile dysfunction, related to their mental health. Tiredness and drinking too much alcohol can also cause ED.  

When is erectile dysfunction permanent?

If the ED is caused by nerve damage or certain medical conditions, like spinal injuries or multiple sclerosis, it may not be treatable with standard medications for ED. But there are other options you could explore, like penis pumps.

 

 

Treat erectile dysfunction discreetly with Chemist4U

Thankfully, most causes of erectile dysfunction aren't permanent, and help is available. Erectile dysfunction pills like Viagra work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when aroused to achieve and maintain an erection.

While sildenafil is very effective for most people, there are also plenty of alternatives to Viagra to choose from. This includes over the counter options like Cialis Together and prescription-only medications like tadalafil.

Getting started on your ideal ED treatment with us is simple. Answer a few questions about your erectile dysfunction symptoms and medical history, and one of our expert clinicians will determine whether treatment is suitable for you.

If so, we’ll deliver it quickly and discreetly to your door, saving you an in-person GP appointment.

 

 

Sources

• Sex and the Prostate: Overcoming Erectile Dysfunction. (2021). Harvard Health. [Accessed 15th December 2025].
• Blood Pressure Medication and ED. (2025). WebMD. [Accessed 15th December 2025].
• Erectile Dysfunction Study. (1999). PubMed. [Accessed 15th December 2025].
• ED Research Study. (2017). PubMed. [Accessed 15th December 2025].
• Erectile Dysfunction Clinical Research. (2023). PMC/NCBI. [Accessed 15th December 2025].

Methodology

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 UK Respondents (Nat Rep 18+). The data was collected between 13 and 16 March 2026.

Further research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 UK nationally representative cisgender men / respondents who are male at birth and currently identify as male, aged 18+. The data was collected between 13 and 19 October 2026. 

Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

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