Talking to your doctor
Visiting your doctor could offer a welcome relief. Men will struggle on for an average of 17 months before realising their ED isn’t getting better22. Why wait that long to get it sorted?
If you’re uncomfortable talking to your doctor about ED, make the appointment easier by completing our interactive sexual health questionnaire. Simply print off the completed questionnaire and take it along to your doctor’s appointment. It will provide a quick and easy way for your GP to identify the problem and understand more about your case.
Still embarrassed about mentioning ED? Don’t be put off. Rest assured that:
- GPs are used to discussing ED - it’s a standard problem
- Your details are kept completely confidential
- Most cases of ED can be quickly and easily sorted
- A range of treatments are now available
During your appointment
- Consider taking your partner with you for support. They can also help to remember everything that you need to mention and the answers you are given.
- If you’d rather go alone, take a notebook so you can make a record of what you’re told.
- The doctor or nurse will begin by asking some questions about your erection difficulties, how long you’ve experienced problems and other questions about your health and lifestyle. These will all help to get a better idea of your symptoms and possible causes.
- They may also carry out some simple tests such as checking your blood pressure, examining your genitals and listening to your heart beat.
- The doctor or nurse may arrange further tests to check for conditions such as diabetes, in case there is an underlying cause that needs to be treated as well.
- You may wish to ask what could be causing your ED and what treatments are available.
- If your doctor or nurse asks for further tests or refers you to a specialist, feel free to ask why you are being referred and what will happen.
- Make sure you have a follow-up appointment to check progress and to discuss how your treatment is working.