ED: Tips For Talking With A Medical Expert

It can be difficult to bring up erectile dysfunction (ED) with your doctor, pharmacist, or another medical expert. But it’s a very common condition. By the age of 40, as many as 40% of men have erection difficulties.

While it’s certainly not something you should be embarrassed about, that doesn’t change the fact that talking about ED might feel very awkward.

Here are some tips to make it easier:

1. Consider Where Best to Seek Support

While it’s always a good idea to chat with your doctor if you’re worried, you don’t have to make a doctor’s appointment to get help with ED.

Depending on what country you live in, you may be able to get viagra over the counter from a pharmacist, without a prescription. You can even buy viagra in the UK over the web, which is a great option if you simply want to give it a try before seeking medical advice.

2. Be Prepared to Give Your Medical History

When you make a doctor’s appointment to talk about ED, your doctor will need to know your medical history. They might ask you about medications you’re taking, whether you have any chronic illnesses, and about your psychological well-being.

Your doctor may also need to know if you drink alcohol, smoke, or take illegal drugs, as these are risk factors for ED. They’re also likely to ask questions about your relationship, and about whether you’re going through a stressful time. If you go along to your appointment prepared for this, it’ll make it much less difficult for you.

3. Rehearse What You Want to Say

If you’re worried about what to say, practice ahead of time. Simply saying, “I think I have erectile dysfunction” or “I’m having trouble getting an erection” will open up the conversation. The medical professional will know what to ask next.

Remember, this is a conversation that doctors and pharmacists have on a daily basis. It’s just a normal part of their job, and nothing you say is going to come as a shock or surprise. They’ll understand that you may feel nervous or uncomfortable, though, and a good doctor will do their best to put you at your ease.

4. Write Down Your Questions

You might have specific questions that you want to ask. Write these down ahead of time — then you’ll have your notes to prompt you if your mind goes blank.

If you feel really awkward about talking about your difficulties out loud, then you could write down “I think I have erectile dysfunction” and show it to the doctor. Again, they’ll know how to lead the conversation from there.

Some questions you might want to ask include:

  • What tests will I need?
  • What medications could I try?
  • Are there any lifestyle changes I could make that would help?
  • What are the next steps if (proposed treatment) doesn’t work? (E.g. some types of exercise such as yoga may help.)

Talking about ED can be tough, but a medical professional can help figure out the cause of the problem and the appropriate treatment. Remember, ED is really common, and there’s nothing to feel embarrassed about. Prepare yourself for the conversation ahead of time, and it’ll be over before you know it.