Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Erectile Dysfunction

If you've been recently diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED), you have taken a very important first step in beginning to gain control of your sex life just by seeing your doctor. Now you want to know what treatment will work for your ED and help you regain confidence in yourself. 

Below is a list of questions you may want to ask. These are only suggestions; feel free to replace any or all with questions of your own. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions about the treatment your doctor recommends and why he or she believes it's right for you. It's also OK to ask for a referral to another doctor for a second opinion. Be sure to write down anything that comes up during your office visit that you may want more information about. You have the right to voice your concerns and have them answered.

1. Do I have another medical condition, such diabetes or a hormone imbalance, that is interfering with my ability to have erections?
2. Do you recommend any additional tests for me?
3. Could you please describe these tests, and tell me how to prepare for them?
4. Do you perform the tests here, or do I need to go to another facility?
5. What extra information are you expecting to get from these tests?
6. How soon will I know the results of these tests?
7. What treatment do you recommend for me?
8. What should I expect this treatment to be able to do for me? What are its possible risks?
9. What instructions should I follow to use this treatment safely and most effectively? Do you have them in writing?
10. If I don't have insurance coverage, what are my options for treatment?
11. What should I tell my partner about this treatment?
12. Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to improve my overall health and increase the chances of better sexual health? 

For Drug Therapy

1. What is the brand name and the generic name of the drug? What company manufactures it?
2. What dose should I take?
3. After I take the drug, how much time do I need to allow for it to work?
4. What should I expect and how will I feel after taking this drug?
5. What do my partner and I need to do to make sure the drug works most effectively?
6. Can I take this drug on a full stomach? Is there any food or drink I should avoid when taking this drug?
7. After I take one dose of this drug, how much time do I need to allow before it is safe to take another dose?
8. Are there any risks of harmful drug interactions with this drug, and how can I avoid them?
9. What possible side effects can this drug cause? What should I do if I notice problems?
10. What serious side effects could this drug cause? What should I do if I notice them?
11. Are there any serious side effects that would make it important for me to get immediate medical help?
12. If I need immediate medical help after taking this drug, do you have an emergency number I can call, or should I go to the nearest hospital emergency room?
13. How can I make sure I get legal, good-quality, and not fake versions of this drug? What kinds of suppliers should I stay away from?
14. What follow-up are you recommending to make sure this treatment is working for me and is not causing problems? What should I do if I have questions after this visit?

For Drug Therapy That Involves Pellets or Injections or For Device Therapy

1. What technique or device are you recommending for me? How does it work?
2. What benefits can I expect from this technique or device? What are the potential risks?
3. Will you teach me how to perform this technique or use this device? If not, who will teach me?
4. Do you have written guidelines for using this technique or device that I can take home with me?
5. What should I expect and how will I feel when using this technique or device?
6. What should I tell my partner about this technique or device, and what kind of cooperation do I need from my partner?
7. How often is it safe for me to use this technique or device?
8. How soon after using this technique or device can I expect to have an erection? Will I be able to keep the erection long enough for intercourse?
9. For drug therapy, what kinds of precautions should I take to prevent interactions with other drugs or other harmful side effects?
10. For device therapy, what kinds of precautions should I take to prevent injury, infection, or other harmful side effects?
11. What should I do if I notice side effects or problems after using this technique or device?
12. Are there any serious problems that would make it important for me to get immediate medical help?
13. If I need immediate medical help after using this technique or device, do you have an emergency number I can call, or should I go to the nearest hospital emergency room?
14. What follow-up are you recommending to make sure this technique or device is working for me and is not causing problems? What should I do if I have questions after this visit?

For a Device Implant or to Attempt to Repair Tissue

1. Is this surgery an outpatient or inpatient procedure?
2. How often have you performed this procedure?
3. What kind of anesthetic is used?
4. How will I feel afterwards?
5. What pain medication should I take after the anesthetic wears off?
6. For how long after the surgery is it likely to hurt?
7. What are the possible complications of surgery, and what can I do to reduce my risk of complications?
8. How long will it take for me to heal after surgery?
9. Will I feel physically normal after I've healed from surgery?
10. What kind of follow-up will I have with you after surgery to check for results and any possible problems?
11. If the surgery is being done to implant a device, when will I be taught how to use the device and who will teach me?
12. How long do I need to wait after surgery before having sex?
13. What kinds of results should I look for after surgery?
14. How will I know if the surgery has been successful?
15. If the surgery is an inpatient procedure, how many days will I have to spend in the hospital?

If It's an Outpatient Procedure

1. Will I be able to drive myself home, or will I need help?
2. How long can I expect the procedure to take, and when should I expect to go home?
3. What should I wear, and what information should I bring?
4. Are there any tests I should be prepared to take on the same day, just before the surgery?
5. Should I restrict what I eat or drink the night before the surgery or the day of the surgery?
6. Do you have a safe place for me to lock up my personal things?
Counseling
1. What therapist do you recommend?
2. Do I need to involve my partner in counseling?
3. How can I make sure the therapist I am seeing is legitimate, qualified, ethical, and experienced in treating ED?