Don’t be embarrassed ! Tips for Help you Talk to Your Doctor about Erectile Dysfunction

There is no reason to feel ashamed about any medical condition, but some men may find that talking to their doctor about erectile dysfunction (ED) is embarrassing.  So embarrassing, in fact, they may avoid completely, sometimes hiding their condition for years.  Speaking openly with your doctor about difficulty achieving and/or sustaining an erection is important, as it may be a symptom of other medical problems.   

What you need is a plan.  Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable talking to your doctor.

Write down your questions

When faced with having to have a conversation with your doctor about erectile dysfunction – or ANY delicate or personal matter – writing down your questions is a good idea.  This will help you address the tough questions, help you focus, and help you get the answers you need.  In fact, if you have a hard time actually asking the questions out loud, you can hand the list of questions to your doctor and simply say “I have some questions about this.”  On your list note specific questions such as “How do I know if I have ED?”  Your doctor has probably treated a LOT of patients with the same concerns as you, so seeing a list of questions is not going to seem strange or awkward.  In fact it will help your doctor treat you.

Choose your comfort words

No one expects you to be comfortable saying the words “erectile dysfunction” or other medical terms, but you do need to tell your doctor what’s wrong.   Think about how you can best describe your situation to your doctor in words that are comfortable for you to use, such as:  “I think I am having problems in the bedroom,” or  “I’m having trouble getting it up and keeping it up.”  Your doctor will know what you are referring to.

When your doctor understands that you are referring to erectile dysfunction, he will then ask you some questions about your health,  possibly about your sex life, and your lifestyle in general so that they can begin to get a full picture of your situation and begin to look at possible solutions such as prescribing prescription medications for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra or other options or treatments.

Your doctor and pharmacists are used to talking to patients about sensitive topics and, most of all, they are there to help you.  Don’t hesitate to discuss your medical conditions or your concerns with your healthcare team.