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The Rise Of Unregulated Viagra: Erectile Dysfunction Statistics UK 2026
The Rise Of Unregulated Viagra: Erectile Dysfunction Statistics UK 2026
Dr. Zoë Lees (PhD)
Dr. Sophie Dix (BSc, PhD)
1 July 2026
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition, affecting up to one in five (4.3 million) men in the UK, with treatments readily accessible through registered pharmacies and licensed online providers. [1]
Despite this, over the last twelve months, analysis of Amazon search data shows an estimated 120,000 searches for “Viagra” in the UK, alongside 65,000 searches for “sildenafil”, the active ingredient in Viagra. eBay search data also indicates an average monthly search volume of 34,000 for “sildenafil”. [2]
Top 10 statistics on how UK men access erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments
(MedExpress survey of 1,000 UK men, May 2026)
- 60% of UK men have purchased ED treatments from at least one source.
- Just 34% bought them in person from an official pharmacy.
- Only 22% used a regulated online pharmacy.
- 18% sourced ED treatments via Amazon or eBay, 17% through social media or online communities, 16% through friends, and 7% from overseas websites.
- Among men aged 18-24, 31% obtained ED treatments through friends and 20% via messaging apps or online communities.
- 27% say cost would lead them to purchase from unregulated sources.
- 24% cite embarrassment or fear of judgement as a factor.
- 23% say privacy concerns would drive them to unregulated sources.
- 19% want to avoid speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.
- Only 8% are unaware of the risks linked to unofficial ED medication.
Where are UK men getting their ED medication from?
In light of the evident interest in people purchasing prescription ED medications via online marketplaces and resale sites such as Amazon and eBay, medical experts at MedExpress have compiled the latest statistics on UK men’s attitudes towards erectile dysfunction treatments, including survey data on the scale of unregulated access to these treatments.
We uncovered where men are turning to access ED medication, the key motivations for purchasing from unofficial sources, and their perceived awareness of the potential risks involved
What medical experts say about buying ED medication without a prescription
Doctor Sophie Dix comments on access, cost and safety considerations around erectile dysfunction treatments:
“Branded ED treatments like Viagra can be more expensive and often come with the perception that they work better. However, that is not the case. Today, you can purchase unbranded prescriptions such as Sildenafil and Tadalafil which contain exactly the same active ingredients directly from regulated online pharmacies, which many men might be unaware of. This can help to mitigate the cost, is just as effective and is a much safer option than turning to cheaper and unregulated sources appearing online or through friends.”
“It’s important that medications for erectile dysfunction are supplied through a GP or registered pharmacy, following a medical assessment, to ensure the treatment is suitable, safe and not a symptom of a more serious health condition. Many people may also not be able to take these medications due to other prescriptions they are taking or pre-existing health conditions.”
“Treatments purchased through unregulated sources, including friends, resale sites and online communities, would bypass these checks and fail to meet public health safety standards and could be dangerous. Even if they appear identical to official treatments and you are eligible, there is also no reliable way to verify their safety, dosage, or whether they contain any active ingredient at all.”
“Purchasing from a regulated source is simply the only way to ensure the treatment is legitimate and safe to use.”
Methodology
In May 2026, MedExpress surveyed 1,000 UK men aged 18 and above to gauge their opinions, thoughts, and experiences of purchasing erectile dysfunction treatments.
References
- King’s College London report on the global prevalence of erectile dysfunction
- Search data analysis for Amazon and eBay was conducted using KeywordTool.io, which estimates search volumes based on search engine autocomplete and keyword modelling. The figures represent estimated search activity in the UK over the specified time period of 12 months. (Retrieved and accurate as of May 2026)
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Authors
Written by: Dr. Zoë Lees (PhD)
Dr. Zoë Lees is a medical writer at MedExpress specialising in obesity and health communication. She completed her PhD at the University of Glasgow, where she investigated adipose tissue (fat tissue) function in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Her work focuses on translating complex clinical evidence into clear, engaging and evidence-based health information for patients and the public. At MedExpress, Zoë contributes to clinical content, educational resources and media communications across areas including weight management, GLP-1 therapies and metabolic disease. Zoë is particularly interested in improving public understanding of obesity as a chronic condition and ensuring patients have access to accurate, accessible health information grounded in current scientific evidence.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Sophie Dix (BSc, PhD)
Dr. Sophie Dix is Head of Medical Affairs at MedExpress. A behavioural neuroscientist by training, Sophie has spent 30 years working at the intersection of medical research, pharmacology, technology and patient communication across the pharmaceutical industry, health technology and charity sectors. At MedExpress, Sophie's role is to ensure that everything the organisation does is grounded in the most current science. That means translating complex clinical evidence into accessible health information across the website, clinical pathways and media communications. It also means working with external press and broadcast media as a named expert commentator, making the science behind weight management and GLP-1 treatments understandable to a general audience. A core part of Sophie's work is building MedExpress's Real-World Evidence (RWE) programme: learning systematically from patient outcomes to understand what works in practice, not just in clinical trials. This patient-level insight feeds directly into improving patient experience and health outcomes. Sophie believes that patients make better decisions when they have access to accurate, evidence-based information. As an advocate for meaningful change in how obesity is understood, Sophie works to reduce stigma and raise awareness of the condition as an illness. This includes reframing the conversation around GLP-1s from aesthetics to public health, while highlighting the health benefits of weight loss and weight management.
Note from the experts
Remember: This blog shouldn’t be regarded as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We make sure everything we publish is fact checked by clinical experts and regularly reviewed, but it may not always reflect the most recent health guidelines. Always speak to your doctor about any health concerns you have.