If you've been having difficulty getting or sustaining erections, talk about it with your doctor. Such a conversation is never easy, but thanks in part to greater publicity about this problem and its treatment, many obstacles have been toppled. Be prepared to provide your doctor with detailed information. This is not simply a matter of walking into the doctor's office, emerging with a prescription, and regaining your erections.
Your doctor will try to determine the cause of your ED in order to recommend an effective treatment. While therapy often involves medication, ED is sometimes a symptom of an underlying condition that requires its own treatment. Also, medication is more effective for some causes of ED than for others. For instance, if you've had prostate surgery, pills probably won't work as well as other treatments. And if a psychological condition is significantly involved, you may benefit from counseling with a mental health professional trained in sex therapy.
At first, the doctor will probably ask you about your medical history. Do you have any chronic illnesses? What illnesses and operations have you had in the past? What medications are you taking, if any? Your doctor is also likely to ask about your psychological well-being and lifestyle: Do you suffer or have you ever suffered from depression? Are you under a lot of stress? Do you drink alcohol?
Use illegal drugs? Have you felt a loss of affection for your partner? Have you recently grown interested in a new partner? Have you ever planned to ask your doctor about ED, only to leave the exam room without starting the conversation? The courage to raise this important topic can elude even the most articulate of men. Because of this, ED can sometimes warn of an underlying issue with the heart. A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the heart and blood vessels.
Someone may receive a referral to a cardiologist if they meet one of the following criteria:. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating hormonal conditions. They may treat imbalances in testosterone or estrogen , as well as conditions such as diabetes. An appointment with an endocrinologist usually includes blood work, as well as answering some questions about lifestyle and sexual history.
A mental health provider can help a person cope with any mental health issues that may be causing ED or those that arise as a consequence of ED. A psychotherapist or psychiatrist may suggest treating mental health issues with talking therapy , medication, or a combination of both.
A person should be prepared to answer lots of questions during their first appointment for ED. The more information a person can provide, the greater the likelihood that the doctor will be able to diagnose the cause of the ED.
The doctor may also ask for information about lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise habits. The treatment options for ED depend on its underlying cause. The sections below will discuss some potential treatments in more detail.
One popular treatment option for ED is sildenafil Viagra. This medication works by increasing blood flow to the penis, thereby enabling and maintaining an erection. Sildenafil may be a suitable treatment option for those with the following types of ED:. ED can sometimes occur as a result of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.
In some cases, treating the underlying condition may also cure the ED, or at least prevent it from getting worse. It is possible to receive help for ED via an online or telehealth platform. Indeed, many telehealth providers specifically advertise ED services because they know that some people may be anxious about seeing a health provider about this issue in person.
However, many health conditions that can cause ED require in-person testing. For example, a doctor cannot diagnose diabetes or cardiovascular disease over the internet.
A urologist can prescribe medications to treat your ED, as well as offer other treatments like surgery and implants. An endocrinologist is a doctor that specializes in the endocrine system.
In other words, a hormone doctor. If the cause of your erectile dysfunction is diabetes, the endocrinologist may prescribe a 25, 50, or mg dose of sildenafil. If you have low testosterone levels, an endocrinologist may start you on hormone replacement therapy. A mental health professional, such as a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, can help determine if a psychological condition is causing your ED. They also help treat these conditions. Therapists will ask you questions about your personal life, history, and relationships, to determine the extent of any mental health conditions.
They may even have you complete a questionnaire. Depending on the diagnosis, mental health professionals may recommend prescription medication to treat mental illness, which will also help alleviate the symptoms of your ED. They also may suggest lifestyle changes, like meditation, exercise, and a clean diet.
The most popular, first-line therapy for erectile dysfunction is prescription medication, such as:. Get the pharmacy discount card. Another option for people who feel embarrassed speaking to their doctor about their sexual health is to start with either over-the-counter or natural treatments. These are some of the most popular and effective that men try first:. For best results, many doctors recommend combining some of these natural remedies with a prescription medication.
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