This article explains what results you can expect from erectile dysfunction treatment, how quickly ED medications work, and what to do if your ED medication is not working as expected.
ED medications can help many men improve erectile function, but results can vary depending on your health, lifestyle, medication timing, and the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
Use this page to understand:
- How effective ED medications are
- How quickly sildenafil, tadalafil, and chewable ED tablets work
- Why sexual stimulation is still required
- What to do if your ED medication is not working as expected
- When to contact MedExpress clinical support
How effective are ED medications?
ED medications are effective for the majority of men with erectile dysfunction.
Clinical trial data shows that PDE5 inhibitors can improve erectile function in approximately 70% to 80% of men with erectile dysfunction across a broad range of causes and severities.
ED medication response rates may be lower in people with:
- Diabetes
- A history of prostate surgery
- Certain cardiovascular conditions
- Nerve-related erectile dysfunction
- Other complicating health factors
Your MedExpress clinician can help you understand what results may be realistic based on your health history and treatment needs.
How quickly will sildenafil work?
Sildenafil on-demand tablets usually start working within 30 to 60 minutes after taking the tablet.
The effects of sildenafil usually last approximately 4 to 6 hours.
Sildenafil may take longer to work if you take sildenafil with or shortly after a heavy or high-fat meal.
Sexual stimulation is required for sildenafil to work.
How quickly will tadalafil on-demand work?
Tadalafil on-demand tablets can start working as early as 30 minutes after taking the tablet.
The effects of tadalafil may last for up to 36 hours. This longer effect window means you may not need to time sexual activity as precisely around your tadalafil dose.
Sexual stimulation is required for tadalafil to work.
How quickly will tadalafil daily work?
Tadalafil daily tablets are taken every day.
With daily tadalafil, tadalafil builds to steady levels in your body within approximately 5 days. During this time, you may notice a gradual improvement in erectile function.
You should usually assess the full benefit of tadalafil daily after taking the medication every day for at least 1 to 2 weeks.
You do not need to plan sexual activity around the exact time you take tadalafil daily.
Sexual stimulation is still required for tadalafil daily to work.
How quickly will sildenafil and tadalafil chewable tablets work?
Sildenafil and tadalafil chewable tablets are designed to combine:
- Rapid onset from sildenafil, usually within 30 to 60 minutes
- Longer-lasting effect from tadalafil, which may last for up to 36 hours
Daily chewable ED tablets work in a similar way to daily tadalafil tablets. Daily chewable ED tablets reach steady levels in your body within approximately 5 days.
Sexual stimulation is required for sildenafil and tadalafil chewable tablets to work.
Will ED medication give me an erection for the whole duration?
No. ED medications do not mean you will have an erection for the entire effect window.
The effect window means that during that period, you may find it easier to achieve and maintain an erection when you are sexually stimulated.
For example:
- Sildenafil may help during a 4 to 6 hour window.
- Tadalafil may help during a window of up to 36 hours.
- Daily tadalafil may support more spontaneous sexual activity once tadalafil reaches steady levels in your body.
What if my ED medication is not working?
If your ED medication is not working as expected, there are several things to check before deciding that the treatment is not effective.
1. Allow enough attempts
ED medications may not work on the first attempt.
You should try your ED medication on at least 4 to 8 separate occasions with sexual stimulation before deciding that the ED medication is not effective.
Early attempts can be affected by:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Performance pressure
- Feeling unfamiliar with the medication
- Incorrect timing
- Heavy meals or alcohol
Give yourself time to become comfortable with the medication and follow the dosing instructions provided by your MedExpress clinician.
2. Check your timing and preparation
For on-demand ED medications, timing matters.
To give your ED medication the best chance of working:
- Take on-demand ED medication 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity.
- Avoid heavy or high-fat meals before taking sildenafil.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Remember that sexual stimulation is required.
- Follow the dosing instructions provided by your MedExpress clinician.
Do not take more than your prescribed dose.
Do not combine ED medications unless your clinician specifically tells you to.
3. Review lifestyle factors that may affect erectile function
Some lifestyle factors can affect erectile function and reduce how well ED medication works.
These factors may include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Low physical activity
- Poor sleep
Improving these lifestyle factors may help improve your erectile function and your response to ED medication.
4. Contact MedExpress clinical support
If your ED medication is not working after a reasonable trial period, MedExpress clinical support can help review your treatment.
The MedExpress clinical support team may be able to:
- Review your response to ED medication
- Check whether you are taking your ED medication correctly
- Review possible side effects
- Adjust your dose if appropriate
- Recommend switching to a different ED medication
- Recommend switching between on-demand and daily ED treatment
- Help assess whether additional support may be appropriate
You can also cancel your MedExpress treatment at any time if you feel the treatment is not working for you.
When should I contact MedExpress?
Contact MedExpress clinical support if:
- Your ED medication is not working after 4 to 8 separate attempts with sexual stimulation.
- You are unsure whether you are taking your ED medication correctly.
- You are experiencing side effects.
- You want to discuss changing your dose.
- You want to discuss switching ED medications.
- You are unsure whether your symptoms need further medical review.
Need more help?
If you still need help after reading this information, please contact MedExpress customer support for further assistance.