Erectile Dysfunction explained

The best option for you…

Treatment for erectile dysfunction has significantly improved over recent years; there are now many treatment options. However, before considering which treatment to try, please consider the following questions that will determine the best option for you:

• Do you have a good understanding of the cause(s) of the problem?
• Do you have a medical condition affecting erectile dysfunction?
• Are you taking prescribed medication that may interact with oral treatment?
• What form of treatment do you and your partner prefer?

ED Treatment Map

The ED Treatment Map has been adapted from NetDoctor.co.uk to help explain the steps involved with considering treatment. Inevitably, it is only a rough guide, as it is impossible to take into account important details about an individual in anything other than a personal consultation with a doctor.

Step 1: Psychological or physical causes, or both?

In most cases of ED there is a combination of psychological and physical causes; both types are easily understood after reading a little information. Best of all, most causes of erectile dysfunction are treatable.

More about psychological and physical causes of erectile dysfunction

Step 2: Check if the cause is reversible

Some causes of erectile dysfunction are reversible – most of which are medication related (e.g. some medicine used for depression can induce ED). Your doctor may be able to recommend an alternative treatment that is less likely to cause ED, so it is always worth mentioning what medications you are taking to your doctor.

If you wish to check if a specific medicine may cause erectile dysfunction, you can ask a HealthExpress doctor ‘are these medications likely to cause ED?’ using our online consultation. A doctor usually responds within 24 hours.

Step 3: Check if first-line treatments can be used

Prescription medication and vacuum devices are considered first-line treatments for ED, as can sexual and relationship counseling. One prescription drug is effective in men who still have occasional erections. Three others are effective for all grades of ED, including men who never get an erection; as are vacuum devices.

As a responsible website, we only offer prescription medicine once a private consultation has been completed, and reviewed by a registered UK doctor. Remember, the consultation is free and there is no obligation to buy any of the treatments that may be suggested.

More about first-line treatments

Step 4: Trial of therapy

If one first-line therapy is ineffective, you should consider using other first-line treatments before proceeding to more invasive treatment. If these options are ineffective or cannot be used for safety reasons, then proceed to step 5.

Step 5: Research second-line treatments

If first-line therapies fail or cannot be used, then our HealthExpress doctors can recommend a private clinic with whom you can discuss the potential risks and benefits of second-line treatments.

Ask a HealthExpress doctor to ‘please recommend a private clinic’ via private email. A doctor usually responds the same day.

More about second-line treatments

Step 6: Inadequate response

If both first-line and second-line treatments are inadequate, effective treatment is still possible, but is of a specialised nature and requires the detailed advice that can only be given after assessment by an ED specialist.

Ask a HealthExpress doctor to ‘please recommend an ED specialist’ via private email. A doctor usually responds the same day.

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