1. The aim of this project was to identify and explore the issues facing men who live with erectile dysfunction (ED), in particular men's' relationships with women partners and men's interactions with the wider world. 2. In order to gain an understanding of their everyday lives, a qualitative research design was used. This is an account of the interpretation and analysis of nine interviews with men living with ED that were carried out during the autumn of 1997. 3. The analysis identified two main themes, 'loss' and 'being alone with it'; with meta-categories 'making sense of it' and 'telling other people', and 'place of sex'. The latter acts as a bridge between the two themes. 4. The implications for nursing practice are considered and recommendations are made for practice, education and research.