{"id":14660,"date":"2016-05-23T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2014-05-23T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.accessrx.com\/blog\/?p=14660"},"modified":"2018-11-09T17:22:51","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T17:22:51","slug":"what-to-talk-about-when-talking-about-ed-with-your-doctor-m0423","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/erectile-dysfunction\/what-to-talk-about-when-talking-about-ed-with-your-doctor-m0423\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Say When Talking About ED with Your Doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"

I<\/span>f you suspect you may be suffering from erectile dysfunction, it’s critical that you consult your doctor as soon as possible. He can devise a plan of treatment or lifestyle modification that can help resolve your ED symptoms as quickly as possible.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Erectile dysfunction isn\u2019t easy to discuss, whether with your partner or your doctor.<\/p>\n

It was only in the past two decades or so that ED has emerged into mainstream medical conversation, a time that coincided with the introduction of the first oral medications, such as Viagra, to treat it. Millions of men worldwide have found relief from ED through effective prescription medications, and the success of these medications indicates that broaching the subject with a medical professional is well worthwhile.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried you have ED, there are convenient, effective medical treatments that can address it. Medical professionals regularly deal with much more personal topics than ED, and they won\u2019t be shocked if you bring up the topic. Here\u2019s what you should know about speaking with your doctor about ED.<\/p>\n

Why It\u2019s Appropriate to Seek Help<\/h3>\n

If you avoid speaking to a doctor about ED, you miss out on getting the help that can restore your confidence and potentially help your relationship. Moreover, ED is sometimes caused by a health condition that seems unrelated (like diabetes or heart disease), and avoiding the subject can cause you to miss the opportunity to address a potentially serious health issue early on.<\/p>\n

In younger men in particular, ED is seen as a possible early warning sign of heart disease and diabetes, and addressing those underlying health problems contributes to success at treating ED. If you have ED, there is a good chance it can be treated with oral medication that requires a prescription. Whatever the cause of your problem, your doctor is there to help you find it and treat it so you can have a healthy, satisfying life \u2013 including your sex life.<\/p>\n

What Type of Doctor Should You See?<\/h3>\n

Most men see a general practitioner or family doctor about ED. If you don\u2019t have chronic health problems that require regular visits to a specialist, this is usually the best place to start. Also, many health insurance plans require that you visit a general practitioner before being referred to a specialist.<\/p>\n

Family physicians see such a broad range of complaints that they are unfazed by patients bringing up the topic of ED. In many cases, a general practitioner can diagnose and treat your ED without the need for a specialist and without the need for expensive and invasive testing. If you aren\u2019t sure where to begin when broaching the topic of ED with a medical professional, the general practitioner is a good place to start. If you regularly see a cardiologist or urologist for other health problems, these would also be appropriate specialists with whom to discuss ED, because ED is a problem experienced by many of their male patients.<\/p>\n

Information Your Doctor Needs<\/h3>\n
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Tell the doctor if you smoke and\/or consume alcohol as both can have an effect on erectile function.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your doctor will want to know the names of all drugs you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, and illicit drugs. Be completely candid with your doctor about this, because many drugs have effects that you don\u2019t necessarily know about. And when it comes to illegal drugs, your doctor has heard it all before and won\u2019t be shocked. Be honest about how much alcohol you consume too.<\/p>\n

Concerning your ED symptoms, your doctor will want to know how long you\u2019ve had them, how frequently symptoms occur, and whether the onset of symptoms was gradual or sudden. You may also be asked about personal information that could be relevant. For example, have you undergone any major life changes, like a move, job loss, birth of a child, death of a loved one, relationship problems, or divorce?<\/p>\n

Whether you bring your partner with you is up to you. Sometimes it\u2019s good to have another set of ears, because medical information can be a lot to take in. However, if you worry that the presence of your partner will make you gloss over your problems or be less than candid, it may be better to go to your appointment alone.<\/p>\n

Questions to Ask Your Doctor<\/h3>\n

Medical settings can throw people off (as demonstrated by so-called white coat hypertension<\/a>), so you might want to write down the questions you have for your doctor so you won\u2019t forget. Here are some common questions men have for their doctors about ED:<\/p>\n