How do I know when it's necessary to consult a doctor about erectile problems? Which doctor should I see? What does the examination involve? What will the doctor ask? And what if I don't want to see a doctor?
In the early stages and with milder difficulties, erectile dysfunction can usually be addressed with self-help methods. If lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter remedies don't work as expected, it's advisable to consider seeing a doctor.
The causes of erectile difficulties may lie in more serious conditions. Therefore, it's advisable to see a doctor and rule out diseases such as heart disease, vascular problems, or diabetes. The sooner the disease is detected and treated, the sooner treatment for erectile dysfunction can be initiated, and the faster the ability to achieve and maintain an erection will improve.
When to see a doctor?
- When you cannot achieve an erection upon stimulation
- When you do not experience an erection upon waking in the morning
- When it's not an isolated failure, but a failure in half or more than half of the attempts at intercourse
- When you experience a significant decrease in libido
- When you cannot maintain an erection until ejaculation
- When you ejaculate too early, or conversely, when you are unable to ejaculate at all
- When an erection occurs just before ejaculation
Which doctor should I see?
The simplest option is to consult your general practitioner, who knows you and has records of your medical history. You can also consult specialists for the investigation and treatment of conditions related to your symptoms. These include:
- Urologist: a specialist in the treatment of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs
- Andrologist: a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of male reproductive organs, whose field of expertise is related to endocrinology, urology, and sexology.
- Internist: a physician certified in internal medicine, specializing in cardiology, endocrinology, and diabetology in this case.
If a thorough examination by a specialist does not reveal an organic cause (and an organic cause is present in 80% of cases), the causes of erectile dysfunction are likely to be psychological. The next logical step is to visit a specialist in psychological issues: a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist if necessary.
How Doctor's Examination Works
A visit to the doctor consists of two basic parts:
- Initial discussion with the doctor, during which the doctor will ask questions related to your health and compile your medical history.
- The actual physical examination focusing on the pelvic area and external genitalia, examination of the penis at rest and during erection, ultrasound measurements, measurement of vascular flows, prostate examination, and possibly blood tests and hormone level measurements.
What will the doctor ask?
The doctor will need to know your health status and the details of the problems that lead you to him as accurately as possible in order to effectively help you. He will be particularly interested in:
- Other health problems and chronic diseases.
- Presence/absence of erection during masturbation.
- Erection during sleep and upon waking.
- Changes in sexual desire.
- When the problems started.
- How often erectile problems occur.
- Whether you are taking any medications and dietary supplements.
- Whether you smoke and drink alcohol, or use other addictive substances.
- Whether you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Whether you have been diagnosed with a mental disorder.
- Whether you are experiencing relationship problems, especially with your partner.
- Whether you have recently dealt with any other serious problem, such as work-related issues.
Not everyone is able to answer intimate questions without feeling uncomfortable. However, because it concerns health, embarrassment must be put aside. The doctor aims to help you achieve a better and healthier life, and together you have a better chance of managing everything faster and better.
If no presence of a more serious condition (heart, blood vessels, kidneys, etc.) is detected during the examination, then one of the most common medical procedures is prescribing medications based on sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil, and in the case of premature ejaculation, dapoxetine.
What if I don't want to see a doctor?
Perhaps you don't want to see a doctor for any reason, even though a visit to the doctor is recommended in the case of erectile difficulties. Medications for erectile problems with the same active ingredients can be ordered online without a prescription, thus without the need to visit a doctor.
These are medications containing, known as Viagra generics (named after the most famous sildenafil-based drug, Viagra), or medications containing tadalafil, known as the active ingredient sildenafil Cialis generics (named after the most famous tadalafil-based drug, Cialis).
You may also be interested in: "Treatment and Correction of Erectile Disorders"
Author: Ava Williams