Mental side of sex & ED pills

It's important to realize that ED drugs don't increase sexual desire, and you have to be ready and sexually stimulated for them to work.

"The drugs won't work well if you are mentally or emotionally not ready for sex," says Dr. Liou. "You can't just take a pill, pay some bills or wash the dishes, and then go to the bedroom and think you'll be ready to go. When your mind is not there, you are not going to want sex, and no ED drug can fix that problem."

He says that before trying an ED drug, you should step back and analyze your sex life and when your ED occurs. Does it happen all the time or just in certain situations? Is it with only one partner or different ones? Does it ever happen when you masturbate? Are the problems associated with stress or alcohol?

"Asking yourself these types of questions can help identify if your ED may be more psychological than physical," says Dr. Liou. He recommends talking with your doctor about these problems.

"You might benefit from sex therapy with your partner, or you may need treatment for a specific condition that affects your desire and sexual arousal, like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety."