Common sexual health issue 'shouldn't be ignored' says Dr Hilary Jones

TV's Dr Hilary Jones has said that ignoring a common sexual health problem can put relationships at risk. He said it was crucial to open up about erectile dysfunction, which, despite affecting half of men aged over 40 and 26% of men under 40, often remains a taboo topic.

New research by Eroxon found that one in five said their relationship has ended because of their ED. Meanwhile, a quarter said it was the reason why a relationship hadn’t progressed past the dating stage.

Further, more than a third of sufferers’ partners admitted that they don’t have sex anymore, while 14% felt more like friends. Despite the profound impact it can have on wellbeing and relationships, ED doesn’t have to mark the end of your love life, said Dr Jones.

How to deal with erectile dysfunction and save your relationship Talk it over

According to the Eroxon research, 23% of sufferers have never spoken about their ED with their partner with 22% saying it feels uncomfortable. However talking is key – and two thirds say communicating and talking with their partner helps.

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GP and TV media medic Dr Hilary Jones said it was crucial to open up: “If you’re suffering from ED, find a suitable time to broach the subject with your partner, when they’re not distracted, working or dealing with children or other jobs around the house. It’s also best to have this chat outside of the bedroom. Ignoring issues around intimacy and ED can mean that there’s a risk that your relationship will no longer feel like a safe haven from the outside world and, instead, it can become another source of anxiety.”

Try a new treatment

If you have ED or develop ED, a new treatment to try is Eroxon - which claims to be the first clinically proven topical therapy for ED, helps men achieve an erection within just 10 minutes - allowing for spontaneity and doesn't ‘destroy the moment’. This is particularly critical as 97% of sufferers feel that spontaneity is important.

Dr Janine David, a specialist in men’s and women’s health and a member of the Eroxon ED Information Panel, said: “Essentially, the Eroxon gel is applied to the head of the penis. As the gel evaporates, it activates a rapid cooling sensation followed by gradual warming. This stimulates pressure and temperature-sensitive free-nerve endings in the glans penis, which increases blood flow to the corpus cavernosum — two bands of spongy tissue within the penis which fill with blood and lead to an erection. Eroxon can be bought without the need for a prescription as it’s available over the counter, making it incredibly accessible for both men and women.”

Reconnect with new hobbies

“When sex becomes a struggle, it can cause tension and awkwardness for both the ED sufferer and their partner,” said Dr Jones.

Dr David added: “It’s important to reconnect with each other in other ways, rather than just in the bedroom, to help you stay close and to also help any future conversations around erectile dysfunction become easier.”

Dr David suggests scheduled date nights without phones or emails: “You could also send each other spontaneous loving messages at some point throughout the day and if you can, why not start a new hobby together? This could be a sport, a cooking class or joining a local club.”