The 11 Best Ways To Deal With Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) means having difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity. It can happen occasionally, but repeated problems may be linked to an underlying health condition, medication, lifestyle factor, or psychological concern.

The right approach depends on why ED is happening. Improving daily habits can help some men, while others may need counselling, prescription medicine, a medical device, or treatment for an underlying condition.

11 Ways to Deal With Erectile Dysfunction

There are several practical steps that may support erectile function, depending on what is contributing to the problem. The following approaches cover lifestyle habits, mental wellbeing, pelvic floor health and when professional treatment may be needed. 

1. Find Out What May Be Causing Your ED

Erectile dysfunction is not always caused by one thing. Problems affecting blood vessels, nerves, hormones or mental wellbeing can interfere with erections. Certain medicines and health conditions may also play a role.

Possible factors include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disease
• Excess body weight
• Hormonal problems
• Nerve-related conditions
• Some prescription medicines
• Anxiety, depression or performance concerns
• Relationship difficulties or prolonged stress

Finding the underlying reason can make treatment more appropriate. In Australia, a GP can review your symptoms, health history and current medicines and decide whether further testing or specialist assessment is needed.

2. Exercise Regularly

Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular fitness, which is closely connected with erectile function. It can also help with weight management and general physical wellbeing.

You do not need a complicated workout plan. Depending on your fitness level, useful activities may include:

• Brisk walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Jogging
• Strength training
• Other activities you can maintain consistently

If you have not exercised for some time or have an existing health condition, discuss an appropriate level of activity with your healthcare professional.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Carrying excess weight can occur alongside conditions that increase the likelihood of erectile dysfunction, including diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.

Rather than relying on rapid weight-loss plans, focus on sustainable habits such as regular movement, balanced meals and appropriate portion sizes.

Weight management can also form part of a broader approach to cardiovascular and metabolic health, rather than being treated as an isolated ED remedy.

4. Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet

What you eat can affect the health of your cardiovascular system. A varied diet based largely on minimally processed foods can support overall health while helping manage factors associated with ED.

Include more often	Limit where possible
Vegetables and fruit	Highly processed foods
Whole grains	Foods high in added sugar
Fish and lean protein	Excess saturated fat
Nuts, seeds and legumes	Excessive alcohol

There is no single food that reliably fixes erectile dysfunction. The overall dietary pattern matters more than relying on one ingredient or drink.

5. Stop Smoking

Smoking can damage blood vessels and restrict healthy circulation. Since an erection depends on adequate blood flow to the penis, smoking may contribute to erection difficulties.

If you smoke, quitting can benefit more than sexual function alone. Your GP or pharmacist can discuss nicotine replacement products, medicines and other support options that may make quitting easier.

6. Limit Alcohol

Heavy alcohol consumption can interfere with sexual function and may make it harder to achieve or maintain an erection.

If alcohol is contributing to your difficulties, reducing your intake can be a practical change to make alongside other lifestyle adjustments.

Avoid using alcohol as a way to reduce sexual anxiety. Although it may temporarily make you feel more relaxed, drinking heavily can work against normal sexual function.

7. Manage Stress and Performance Anxiety

Erectile dysfunction can sometimes create a cycle: difficulty getting an erection leads to worry about the next sexual encounter, and that anxiety can make another erection more difficult.

Stress may come from work, finances, relationships, sexual experiences or concerns about performance. Anxiety and depression can also affect sexual functioning.

Depending on the situation, useful options may include:

• Talking openly with your partner
• Relaxation techniques
• Counselling
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Sex therapy

When psychological factors are involved, addressing them alongside physical treatment may provide a more complete approach.

8. Improve Sleep and Address Sleep Problems

Poor sleep can affect your general health, mood and energy levels. If you regularly struggle to sleep or have symptoms of a sleep disorder, it is worth discussing the problem with a healthcare professional.

Rather than treating sleep as a quick ED remedy, consider it part of your wider health routine:

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment.
• Reduce habits that interfere with sleep.
• Seek medical advice for persistent sleep problems.

9. Review Your Medicines and Existing Health Conditions

Some medicines can contribute to sexual difficulties. At the same time, stopping a prescribed medicine without medical advice can create other health problems.

If you suspect a medicine is affecting your erections, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. They can review your treatment and decide whether a dosage change, alternative medicine or another approach is appropriate.

Managing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease may also form part of ED treatment. Australian health guidance recommends addressing underlying conditions before or alongside treatment for the erection problem.

10. Try Pelvic Floor Exercises

The pelvic floor muscles help support several functions in the lower pelvic area. Exercises commonly called Kegels involve repeatedly tightening and relaxing these muscles.

A simple approach is to:

1. Identify the muscles used to stop urine flow.
2. Contract them briefly.
3. Relax completely.
4. Repeat the exercise regularly.

Do not routinely practice Kegel exercises by stopping your urine stream while urinating. If you are unsure whether you are using the right muscles, a healthcare professional or pelvic health physiotherapist can provide guidance.

11. Seek Medical Advice if ED Keeps Happening

Occasional erection difficulties can happen, but repeated problems should not simply be ignored.

A medical assessment can help identify whether the problem is related to:

• A physical health condition
• Psychological factors
• Current medicines
• Hormonal or neurological issues
• More than one contributing factor

ED can sometimes occur alongside broader health problems, so finding the cause may be more useful than simply treating the erection itself.

What Treatments Are Available for Erectile Dysfunction?

Lifestyle changes are useful for many people, but they are not the only options. Treatment depends on the cause, your health, medicines you already take and how persistent the problem is.

Prescription ED Medicines

Several medicines used for ED belong to a group called PDE5 inhibitors. In Australia, commonly prescribed options include:

Medicine	Active ingredient	Drug class
Viagra and generic versions	Sildenafil	PDE5 inhibitor
Generic Cialis and versions	Tadalafil	PDE5 inhibitor
Avana	Avanafil	PDE5 inhibitor
Generic vardenafil products	Vardenafil	PDE5 inhibitor

These medicines work by supporting the blood-flow process involved in an erection. They do not normally cause an erection without sexual stimulation.

In Australia, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and avanafil are active ingredients used in registered prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction. However, the TGA status of a specific brand or formulation should always be checked on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) rather than assumed from its active ingredient.

These medicines are not suitable for everyone. For example, nitrate medicines used for chest pain can interact dangerously with PDE5 inhibitors. A doctor or pharmacist should check your medicines and health conditions before treatment.

Counselling or Sex Therapy

When anxiety, relationship problems, depression or other emotional factors contribute to erectile dysfunction, talking therapy may be useful.

A GP may recommend a psychologist, counsellor or qualified sex therapist depending on the situation. Partner involvement may also be helpful when relationship difficulties are part of the problem.

Vacuum Erection Devices

A vacuum erection device, sometimes called a penis pump, uses controlled suction to draw blood into the penis and help create an erection.

These devices may be considered when oral medicines are unsuitable, ineffective or not preferred. A healthcare professional can explain correct use and whether the device is appropriate.

Other Medical Options

When standard erectile dysfunction treatments do not provide enough benefit, other approaches may be considered by a doctor or specialist. Depending on the circumstances, these can include:

• Alprostadil injections
• Penile rings
• Specialist treatments
• Penile implants in selected cases

Not every option is appropriate for every person, and some require specialist assessment.

Do Natural Remedies Help Erectile Dysfunction?

Natural and herbal ED products are widely promoted online, but popularity does not mean that a product has been proven to work.

Some supplements have been studied, including L-arginine, ginseng and other herbal products. However, evidence varies and some can cause side effects or interact with medicines. MedicalNewsToday also notes that evidence for many natural ED remedies remains limited.

Why “Natural” Does Not Always Mean Safe

This is particularly important when buying sexual-enhancement products online.

In June 2026, the TGA reported that several products marketed as dietary supplements or natural sexual-enhancement formulas contained undeclared prescription-only substances, including sildenafil, tadalafil and dapoxetine. The products had not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy.

Avoid assuming that a product is harmless simply because its packaging says “herbal,” “natural” or “supplement.”

Can Erectile Dysfunction Improve Naturally?

Sometimes. If lifestyle habits, stress, excess weight, smoking, alcohol use or another modifiable factor contributes to ED, addressing that factor may improve sexual function.

However, persistent ED may have an underlying medical cause that requires treatment. Lifestyle changes should therefore be viewed as part of an overall approach rather than a guaranteed replacement for medical care.

When Should You See a Doctor About Erectile Dysfunction?

Make an appointment with a GP if erection problems continue, become more frequent or concern you.

Medical advice is especially useful if you:

• Have diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
• Take medicines that may affect sexual function
• Experience other new symptoms
• Have significant anxiety or relationship difficulties linked to ED
• Are considering prescription ED pills
• Have tried lifestyle changes without enough improvement

A doctor can determine whether further tests, medication or referral to a specialist is appropriate.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Australia

In Australia, erectile dysfunction medicines such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and avanafil are available as prescription medicines. A doctor can assess whether one is suitable for you and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Buying unapproved ED products online can carry additional risks. The TGA has warned that products sold online may be counterfeit, incorrectly labelled or contain undisclosed ingredients. It recommends obtaining health products from registered Australian pharmacies or trusted retailers and being cautious of sellers offering prescription-only medicines without a prescription.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with erectile dysfunction starts with understanding what may be causing it and choosing an approach that fits your situation. Lifestyle changes can support overall sexual health, while persistent erectile dysfunction may require medical assessment and treatment.

If you are considering erectile dysfunction medicines, use a legitimate source and follow appropriate medical guidance. AustraliaRXMeds provides information on different ED medicines and their uses, so you can learn more about available options before discussing treatment with a healthcare professional.