A new UK start-up, Heracles, is tackling what its founders call the “silent crisis” in men’s health, offering an integrated medical platform that combines pharmacological treatment with lifestyle intervention. Unlike generic fitness or nutrition apps, Heracles focuses on issues unique to biological men: erectile dysfunction, testosterone decline, and metabolic disease, three conditions that are deeply interconnected and often early indicators of cardiovascular risk.
Positioned as the UK’s first evidence-based longevity platform for men, a service combining medical treatment, diagnostics, and lifestyle support to improve healthspan rather than just lifespan. Heracles aims to move male healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
“Erectile dysfunction isn’t just about sex; it’s one of the earliest indicators of cardiovascular disease,” says Tom Pascoe, Founder and CEO of Heracles. “The problem is that conditions like ED, low testosterone, and metabolic dysfunction are usually treated in isolation, when in reality they’re deeply connected. By tackling them together, we’re addressing the core systems that determine how well men age.”
Longevity Is a Luxury
Pascoe argues that before men can optimise, they need to achieve baseline health, something many are struggling to do. With 57.5% of men experiencing erectile dysfunction, 67% classed as overweight or obese, and one in four suffering from low testosterone, Heracles sees longevity as a privilege too few can access.
“More men are dying of preventable disease than from war, suicide, or accidents,” adds Pascoe. “A significant portion of the population can’t even achieve a baseline, never mind optimise. Our plan is to make health navigable by setting the foundations first, then extending healthspan.”
Recent polling commissioned by Heracles found that nearly half of UK men have experienced symptoms such as fatigue, reduced libido, or low mood but have not discussed them with a GP, with many citing embarrassment or a lack of time. The same survey revealed over 60% were unaware that erectile dysfunction and low testosterone can be early signs of cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for accessible, discreet, evidence-led care.
Beyond medication, Heracles’ platform also focuses on nutrition, strength training, and sleep optimisation, helping men rebuild their health through sustainable, evidence-based habits.
From Femtech to Mentech
Over the past decade, femtech has transformed how women understand their hormonal health, bringing conversations about cycles, fertility, and longevity into the mainstream. Platforms such as Flow, Clue, and Natural Cycles reframed women’s hormones as a vital sign, a daily indicator of wellbeing.
Heracles is now applying the same thinking to men: recognising that hormonal and metabolic changes underpin everything from sexual function to heart health. The aim is to give men the same tools, data, and education to understand their bodies and act on early warning signs before health issues become irreversible.
A Connected Approach to Men’s Health
Heracles’ model links the three key systems that underpin male health and longevity:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Often the first visible sign of vascular decline, acting as an early warning system for heart disease.
Testosterone Restoration Therapy (TRT): Evidence-based hormonal treatment that restores energy, mood, and metabolic balance.
Metabolic & Weight Management (GLP-1 Therapy): Tackling obesity and insulin resistance, key drivers of cardiovascular risk and hormonal disruption.
Getting started with Heracles is designed to be straightforward. Users complete an online health assessment and at-home blood test, reviewed by the Heracles clinical team. Following consultation, a tailored treatment plan is prescribed and fulfilled through the platform’s in-house pharmacy — meaning diagnosis, medication, and ongoing monitoring all happen in one place.
Each patient’s treatment is personalised and developed according to scientific evidence, not a one-size-fits-all approach. While medication and protocols are tailored individually, every user also gains access to Heracles’ education library, containing trusted guidance on nutrition, exercise, and male health optimisation.
By combining diagnostics, medical consultation, prescription fulfilment, and lifestyle support under one digital platform, Heracles provides a comprehensive clinical service, not an online pharmacy, moving men’s healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
Bringing Parity to Men’s Health
While the rise of femtech has brought women’s health into the mainstream, the founders of Heracles argue that men’s health innovation has lagged behind, often reduced to online pharmacies or supplement marketing. Men are also less willing to engage with their own health and are less likely to participate in screening or testing.
There is thus a significant disparity in life expectancy between men and women, currently 5.1 years.
“Heracles is designed to bridge that gap: evidence-led, clinically managed, and accessible,” says Pascoe.
The company’s world-class medical team includes specialists in testosterone therapy, cardiovascular health, and endocrinology, with all treatments following rigorous national and international clinical guidelines developed by the team themselves. Fulfilment and patient monitoring are handled internally to maintain continuity of care and data integrity.
Expert Clinical Leadership
Heracles’ in-house medical team includes some of the UK’s leading specialists in men’s medicine:
Prof. Suks Minhas, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer – Consultant Urologist and Andrologist, global leader in men’s health, and recipient of the St Peter’s Medal and BAUS Golden Telescope.
Prof. Tet Yap, Co-Founder & Chief Longevity Officer – Consultant Andrological Surgeon, specialist in fertility, erectile dysfunction, and reconstructive surgery (Cambridge, UCL, Stanford).
Dr. Ian Gallen CBE, Consultant Endocrinologist & Sports Medicine Advisor – served as Special Medical Advisor for the London 2012 Olympics.
Dr. Richie Kirwan PhD, Clinical Nutrition Specialist – researcher in nutrition, resistance training, and metabolic health.
Dr. Vinit K. Shah MSc, Consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes – expert in hormone health and diabetes technology.
Paula Allchorne eMBA RN Dip, Urological Nurse and Psychosexual Therapist – recipient of the Chief Nursing Officer’s Gold Award for contributions to healthcare innovation.
Subscription packages start from £16 per month for erectile dysfunction treatment, including clinical consultation, ongoing medical oversight, and direct prescription fulfilment through Heracles’ in-house pharmacy. Each plan also provides access to the Heracles digital platform, featuring tailored nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle guidance to support long-term results.
