Statistics on Erectile Dysfunction

Although the topic is frequently regarded as taboo, erectile dysfunction is, in reality, much more prevalent than many men are willing to acknowledge. While it is generally not a serious condition, it can lead to feelings of embarrassment, inconvenience, and frustration—particularly when it occurs during intimate moments! Many men feel ashamed of experiencing erectile dysfunction, and discussions surrounding it are often tinged with a degree of shame or self-criticism. This stigma complicates the understanding of the actual impact it has on men throughout the UK.

So, what is the prevalence of erectile dysfunction? How probable is it for men to encounter this issue, and are certain men more susceptible to it than others? To investigate, we surveyed 1,000 men throughout the UK regarding the frequency with which they face erectile dysfunction during sexual activities.

Our Findings

• Erectile dysfunction is exceedingly prevalent in the UK, with more than half of men reporting that they encounter it (58.2%).
• Additionally, a quarter of men experience it in more than half of their sexual encounters (27.3%).
• Three out of four men aged 25 to 34 report experiencing erectile dysfunction (74.6%), rendering them the most susceptible age group in the UK. They are also the most likely to face this issue frequently, with 40% indicating that they have difficulty achieving an erection more than half of the time.
• Less than half of men over the age of 55 report struggling with erectile dysfunction (49.9%), making this age group the least affected in the UK.
• Over two-thirds of men in Greater London indicate that they face challenges with impotence (67.7%), despite the fact that Greater London issues the second lowest number of erectile dysfunction prescriptions in the UK, averaging only 59.1 prescriptions per 10,000 individuals each month.
• The Integrated Care Board (ICB) of Lincolnshire has the highest rate of prescriptions for erectile dysfunction medications in the UK, with a rate of 84.66 prescriptions per 10,000 individuals per month in 2025.
• The North East and Yorkshire regions exhibit the highest prescription rates, with an average of 106.4 prescriptions per 10,000 individuals per month for impotence medication.

Our Study on ED Occurrence: How frequent is erectile dysfunction? 

To ascertain the frequency of erectile dysfunction among men throughout the UK, we employed Censuswide to survey 1,000 men from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland regarding their difficulties in achieving an erection during sexual intercourse. Subsequently, we categorized the respondents by location and age groups to evaluate whether these variables might influence the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the UK. Our inquiry was as follows:

How frequently, if at all, have you faced challenges in obtaining or sustaining an erection before or during a sexual encounter?

• Every sexual encounter (100% of the time)
• Most sexual encounters (61-99% of the time)
• Approximately half of sexual encounters (40 – 60% of the time)
• Some sexual encounters (11-39% of the time)
• On rare occasions (1-10% of the time)
• This has never occurred for me (0%)
• Prefer not to disclose

What is the frequency of men experience erectile dysfunction in the UK? 

So, how frequently do men in the UK face erectile dysfunction? Here are our findings:

• Over half of all men in the UK find it challenging to maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse (58.2%).
• Additionally, more than 1 in 4 men experience erectile dysfunction more than half of the time (27.3%).
• 1 in 20 men in the UK struggle to achieve an erection during every single sexual encounter (5.2%).
• Meanwhile, 1 in 5 men report experiencing erectile dysfunction, but only infrequently (19.8%).
• Furthermore, 1 in 3 men in the UK have never encountered erectile dysfunction (32%), and 1 in 10 prefer not to disclose their experiences (9.8%).

What is the most vulnerable age for men for erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that any man may encounter; however, it is evident that certain adults are more prone to it than others. How significantly does age influence the occurrence of erectile dysfunction throughout the UK? To investigate this, we categorized our survey participants into age groups ranging from 16-24 to 55+.

• The age group most at risk is 25 to 34, with 74.6% experiencing erectile dysfunction during sexual activities.
• Furthermore, 40% of men within this age range face impotence in more than half of these situations. • Additionally, as many as 8.5% of individuals aged 25 to 34 find it difficult to achieve an erection every time, which is 3.3% higher than the average in the UK!
• The next most affected age group is young adults, where 1 in 3 individuals aged 16-24 (33.1%) encounter impotence in over half of their sexual encounters.
• Conversely, men aged 55 and older are the least affected by erectile dysfunction, with less than half (49.9%) experiencing any issues with impotence, and fewer than 1 in 5 (18.2%) facing it more than half the time.
• This age group is also the most inclined to keep their sexual experiences private, with 1 in 7 choosing not to disclose information (13.4%). Adults between 35 and 44 are more likely to be open about their experiences with erectile dysfunction,with only 1 in 20 respondents being unwilling to answer (6%).

In which areas of the UK is erectile dysfunction the most significant issue?

Erectile dysfunction can arise from various factors including mood, stress levels, Insomnia, and distractions. But what about the impact of weather and urban noise? Does one’s location influence the likelihood of experiencing erectile dysfunction? To investigate this, we categorized our respondents based on their geographical locations by region and city throughout the UK.

• In the UK, Londoners are identified as the most susceptible men, with more than two-thirds of participants from Greater London reporting that they encounter ED at least occasionally during sexual activity (67.7%).
• Conversely, men residing in Yorkshire and the Humber are the most prone to infrequent impotence, with over a third admitting to difficulties with erections, albeit during less than half of their sexual experiences (36.7%).
• In Northern Ireland, only 42.9% of men report experiencing ED, which is 13.5% lower than the national average of 56.3%.
• Additionally, men in Northern Ireland are the most inclined to maintain the confidentiality of their sexual experiences, with 1 in 5 choosing not to disclose information (19%).
• In Norwich, men are more susceptible to frequent impotence than in any other region of the UK, with 1 in 10 indicating they face erectile dysfunction in every sexual encounter (10.8%), and over a third experiencing it more than half the time (35.1%).

What are the most common reasons of erectile dysfunction?

Physical and Medical Causes

Many men are often astonished to discover that  (ED) is not typically a matter of being purely psychological. As stated by the British Association of Urological Surgeons, 90% of cases diagnosed with erectile dysfunction are attributed to underlying physical health conditions rather than psychological influences.

Here’s what’s typically behind ED:

• Cardiovascular issues (40%) – This includes elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
• Diabetes (33%)
• Hormonal imbalances and the effects of medications (11%) – Examples include low testosterone, elevated prolactin levels, or adverse effects from commonly prescribed medications such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and recreational substances.
• Neurological conditions (10%)
• Pelvic surgery or trauma (3-5%) – This encompasses prostate surgery and injuries to the genital region.
• Physical anomalies (1-3%) – Such as a tight foreskin, a short penile frenulum, or Peyronie’s disease (curvature of the penis).

Lifestyle Factors

Our everyday habits play a significant role in erectile function. Statistics indicate distinct correlations between specific lifestyle choices and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Men experiencing ED in the UK are more prone to:

• Smoking prevalence is 32.8% in individuals with ED, compared to 26.3% in men without ED.
• Alcohol consumption is reported at 76.1% among those with ED, in contrast to 71.0% in those without.
• Insufficient physical activity is observed in 21.7% of individuals with ED, compared to 19.4% without.
• The rate of being overweight or obese is 64.9% in those with ED, compared to 54.6% in those without.

These habits influence the production of nitric oxide in your body – a vital chemical that facilitates the relaxation of your blood vessels, thereby ensuring proper erections.

Psychological Factors

While physical issues are responsible for the majority of  (ED) cases, psychological factors contribute to approximately 10% of all instances. There is a significant connection between erectile dysfunction and mental health, with each potentially influencing the other.

For men under the age of 40, the predominant triggers for ED are psychological in nature, including anxiety, depression, diminished sexual desire, and excessive use of pornography.

The Kinsey Institute acknowledged the existence of pornography-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) as a legitimate concern as early as 2007. Indeed, consumer surveys indicate that 67% of men experiencing ED reported no difficulties with achieving an erection, arousal, or climax when engaging in masturbation with pornography.

It can lead to a challenging cycle. After encountering difficulties in obtaining or maintaining an erection, one may begin to worry about the possibility of it occurring again. This performance anxiety frequently exacerbates the situation.