Treatments for erectile dysfunction are usually effective and the problem often goes away.
There are also specific treatments for some of the causes of erectile dysfunction.
Possible cause: Narrowing of penis blood vessels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Treatment: Medicine to lower blood pressure, statins to lower cholesterol
Possible cause: Hormone problems
Treatment: Hormone replacement (for example, testosterone)
Possible cause: Side effects of prescribed medicine
Treatment: Change to medicine after discussion with GP
Medicine such as sildenafil (sold as Viagra) is also often used by doctors to treat erectile dysfunction. It's also available from pharmacies.
Because of changes in regulations, you no longer need a prescription to get sildenafil.
But you'll have to have a consultation with the pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you to take it.
There are other similar medicines called tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Spedra) that work in a similar way.
You'll still need a prescription to get these medicines.