Does Your Partner Know You Take ED Medication?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment can be part of someone's sex life without ever becoming part of the conversation with their partner. To understand how often that happens, ZipHealth surveyed 1,000 men about whether their partners know they take ED medication, how they manage it day to day, and what they fear would happen if their partner found out.

The findings highlight men’s concerns about disclosure as well as the experiences of those who were open with their partners. Many men are hiding a treatment that could be helping them, and most of those who opened up say it made things easier. ED is common and treatable, and talking openly with a partner about treatment may help men feel more comfortable when using it.

Key takeaways

• 24% of men who have taken ED medication said their partner does not know.
• Nearly 1 in 10 men (7%) who have taken ED medication have let a partner believe they weren't attracted to them rather than explain they were dealing with ED.
• 19% of men who have taken ED medication feared their partner would judge them for using it, but only 2% of those who told their partner say the reaction was actually negative.
• 17% of men who have taken ED medication skipped it to avoid their partner noticing.
• 73% of men who told their partner say it made them more comfortable taking their treatment.
• 34% of men say they would be less likely to hide their ED treatment if it were sublingual.

Hidden use

Taking ED medication is a medical decision. For many men, though, it comes with a layer of logistics: where to keep it, when to take it, and how to avoid being seen. The survey found that hiding it is common, and sometimes the hiding comes before intimacy itself.

Nearly half of the men surveyed (46%) reported having experienced erectile difficulties, and about 1 in 5 (21%) currently take or have previously taken ED medication. Among that group, 24% said their partner does not know. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) have intentionally hidden their use from a partner at some point, and 17% have skipped a dose to keep their partner from noticing. Nearly 1 in 5 (20%) avoided sex or intimacy entirely in the past year because they couldn't take their medication without being noticed.

Skipping a prescribed treatment for fear of a partner noticing can come at a cost. ED often has physical causes, and stress and anxiety can add to it. Treatment works best when it's used as directed, and avoiding intimacy altogether can add pressure rather than relieve it. A provider can talk through timing, options, and what works for your routine, privately and without judgment.

Why men are avoiding the conversation

The fear of being judged is what keeps many of these conversations from happening. Men worry a partner will read ED as a sign of lost attraction, or as something wrong with the relationship.

Nearly 1 in 10 men (7%) who have taken ED medication have let a partner believe they weren't attracted to them rather than explain they were dealing with ED. Overall, 19% of men feared their partner would judge them for using ED medication. Among those who actually told their partner, only 2% say the reaction was negative, and 73% say telling their partner made them more comfortable taking their treatment.

Pills vs. chewables vs. sublingual treatment

For men who aren't ready to share, the format of the medication matters. A traditional tablet can feel clinical, with its blister pack, bottle, and glass of water. We asked men how they feel about sublingual treatment, which dissolves under the tongue.

Nearly 3 in 5 men (58%) said they would be interested in sublingual ED treatment if they needed medication. More than half (52%) said it would feel more discreet than a traditional tablet, and about 1 in 3 (34%) said they would be less likely to hide it from a partner.

Discretion and openness aren't opposites. A treatment that feels less clinical and easier to fit into the moment can lower the barrier to using it as prescribed, and for some men, to talking about it. Which format is right depends on the individual. A licensed provider can review which option suits your health history and routine.

Making space for the conversation

ED is common, and can be treated. The men in this survey who told their partners mostly found support, not judgment, and said it made taking their treatment more comfortable. If you're managing ED in private, you don't have to disclose on anyone else's timeline. But it's worth knowing that the reaction you're expecting may not be the one you get. Whatever you decide, avoiding treatment or intimacy to keep it hidden is a cost you don't have to pay, and talking with a healthcare professional is a positive first step.

Methodology

We analyzed 1,000 Approved survey responses from men to explore men’s health issues. Of respondents, 46% reported having experienced erectile difficulties, and 21% currently take or have previously taken ED medication.

About ZipHealth

At ZipHealth, we make it easier to take control of your health with discreet, convenient online care. ZipHealth provides easy and discreet access to online consultations with licensed US providers and treatments, including popular medications like Viagra and chewable forms, so you can manage your health comfortably from home.

Fair use statement

The data and findings in this article are available for noncommercial use, provided that any republication or sharing includes a link and proper attribution to ZipHealth.