Table of Contents
III. Your doctor's likely seen worse
V. Be aware of possible side effects
VI. Thinking of using Viagra recreationally?
VII. Your mental health and relationship
Sex. It’s not the easiest thing to talk about, especially when you’re having trouble with it. For many men struggling with erectile dysfunction, ED medications like VIAGRA or Cialis® may be on their minds, but the thought of talking to their doctor may be incredibly awkward and off-putting. Here are a few tips on how to talk to your doctor about ED and ways to treat it.
Before you go, brainstorm
Sexual and erectile dysfunction is experienced by people of all genders, and it can arise from a variety of reasons, from pure performance anxiety to being a side effect of other medications. Your doctor will likely ask you to go into more detail about your experience, so prepare a few discussion points.
Depending on what your share, your doctor may recommend alternative treatments to medication, such as psychotherapy. Make sure your doctor understands your concerns, but if your doctor thinks an alternative treatment may work better for you than medication, don’t dismiss it right away. It may be worth a try. [1]
It’s not your fault
There are many reasons for erectile dysfunction. While 8% of men in their 40s, 19% of men in their 50s, and 39% of men in their 60s and above report ED, age is by far not the sole reason. Other reasons include:
- Hypertension
- Stress and anxiety
- Diabetes
- Atherosclerosis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alcohol and drugs
- Hormones
- Medications
- Obesity
You may be tempted to blame a reason like performance anxiety on yourself, but don’t be so quick to judge! A Harvard University article suggests that mental health disorders may be a result of impotence, not a cause. And even if your reasons for ED are strictly psychological, modern, evidence-based psychotherapies have ways to treat it. You should still visit your doctor as a first resort. [2]
Your doctor’s likely seen worse
Think about it: family doctors are the first point of contact for all things awkward about the body. Remember:
From embarrassing teenage acne to foul smells, gross sounds, and weird conditions, your doctor has likely seen things far worse throughout their professional life. Not convinced? Just look up embarrassing ER stories on the Internet. There are hundreds of them, and hundreds more remain untold.
- Sex is an integral part of human life. It’s how we’ve survived as a species.
- If it makes you more comfortable, request to see a male doctor if one is available at your clinic.
Finally, for the sake of your health and safety, be honest with your doctor. Disclose illicit drugs if you use them. Thanks to HIPAA, your doctor is – barring few exceptions – obligated to keep everything discussed between the two of your confidential. [3] The last thing you want is to suffer a serious complication due to not disclosing something. ED can also be indicative of a more serious health problem, so don’t wait to speak to your doctor. [4]
Talk to your partner
Your partner may feel uneasy and inadequate. If this is the case, reassure them that it’s not their fault. Reinstate your attraction to your partner, but acknowledge their concerns. Use “I” statements. When I can’t get it up, I feel like I’m letting you down. I want to talk to my doctor about ED because even though our relationship is awesome, I want it to be the best it can be.
At the end of the day, ED is a medical problem, and by addressing it, you are showing that you care about the relationship. A good partner will listen and be supportive.
Be aware of possible side effects
Educate yourself about the pharmaceutical you’re about to take. Sildenafil (VIAGRA) can cause serious side effects such as a prolonged erection that doesn’t go away, vision loss, and hearing loss. You should also tell your physician about your medical conditions, especially heart conditions, liver, problems, and bleeding problems. Also disclose any other medications you may be taking, including supplements and vitamins. Important safety information about sildenafil can be found on the official VIAGRA website. [5]
Thinking of using Viagra recreationally?
Some people are interested in using ED medication recreationally to improve their sexual experiences. Others would like it to counteract the dysfunctional side effects of other recreational drugs.
Be aware of the risks of buying ED meds without a prescription. A source that claims you can get VIAGRA without a prescription is likely illegitimate. Instead, a reputable Canadian pharmacy referral service like Canada Med Stop can help you find drugs like VIAGRA or Cialis® that have been approved by regulatory bodies.
Your mental health and relationship
Finally, try to forget about the stigma. Yes, your body may not be working the way you want it to be, but at the end of the day, you’re making a diligent effort into taking care of yourself, your mental health, and your relationship. Getting an ED medication prescription can lead to significant improvements in your relationships and well-being, so celebrate taking the first step.
DISCLAIMER: The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.